I have said so many times already that we like to laugh, and we do try to most days, even when someone is sick vomiting in a bucket we do, at each others expense, crack black humoured jokes. The humour and jokes where being aimed towards me last night and this morning, and I deserved it all. We have for the past 44 days carried around a solar shower with us and yesterday it was christened as we were in a paddock with no one else for miles. I at last hung the shower from the kayak racks and showered (butt naked) with the warmed water from the days sun. It took me back to my life in Waiheke when I had an outdoor shower surrounded by tree ferns, it was amazingly refreshing and oddly bloody funny. Yes we have a shower in Cuzzie, but why waste precious power and tank water when you do not need to? It was showering again in the morning that the far off farmers could hear me scream as I decided this was going to be used again, however not so warm now, but refreshingly nice and invigorating. I loved it! All the time Nat was just inside shaking her head and not at all being convinced this was a great way to start her day (and she is pretty out there with ideas and antics.)

We checked the weather report, we rechecked it again, sadly no go for today or tomorrow, even the crayfish boats were on dry land! That says it all really, so off to Masterton we headed, poor Cuzzie over the dusty gravel road again. There was a little bit of rain which helped with the dust today. Scarecrow straw men we passed again, some just sitting, some in wheelchairs and some made out of hay bails and wearing rugby jerseys.

Masterton you have us for the next day or so, the sun is out and yes there is wind. We have already meet numerous friendly locals. As we headed into town to walk the streets I purchased a second hand electric frypan (ha they have become my favourite in all the campsite kitchens) so Cuzzie has a new gadget, and our tummies will have lots of crispy potatoes, yummy. Electric frypans are the one stop cooking apparatus that is an oldie but a forgotten fab.

Another reason for Masterton is my replacement for red star kayak Thelma 2 is due into town tomorrow, she is with Mainfreight as we speak. THANK YOU Vero and Andy Warner.

So what we have discovered today...
Great cafe located this afternoon, Cafe Strada, fabulous staff, amazing coffee and brilliant team working here.
Fabulous second hand store, he even has an original Sissons Kayak hanging in the rafters for sale!
Flat Point has a vineyard/winery and we will grab a couple of bottles on Friday.

We are happy today and so lucky to be on this adventure! I have to keep pinching myself that my dream is actually happening and it is bloody fantastic (well most of the time) even when I am not paddling I am seeing places I have never been to before, some places a couple of days too long, but each day there is something odd or new or slightly crazy and fun to see, do or watch. Support team and I are doing well, like minded in so many ways, refreshingly full of quips and honesty about everything. Even when the other crew members are back in Auckland we get messaged daily with jokes and encouragement.

So while a lot of you sit in a traffic jam or go to another Christmas function Nat and I lie in the evening sunshine in a calm, tranquil Masterton campsite. (I know where I would rather be). I am on dinner duties, my new electric frypan is out, time for my most favourite foods, steak, kumera, fried eggs and some wilted greens, yum. The most unused appliance so far is my magic bullet (blender). It most definitely should have stayed in Auckland! It takes up valuable cupboard space and may just get sent home.

Till tomorrow
Red

Red with short black and peppermint tea in Masterton