It rained and it blew. We were rather late to bed last night, the later paddle is not ever a pleasure for any of us on the Redz NZ Team. We were all hungry, or best to say Hangry, and with the rain and all the kayak gear wet and cold, by the end of the night we had gone from histerical laughter to grumpsville in no time. The food hit had made us tied and we still seemed to have heaps to do before bed. Tricia was crossed eyed trying to proof my blog, Jase was trying to help all in a Jase manner, Red was just wanting to sleep but still had stuff to do. Even having a hot warm shower seemed an effort. As we were making room for our sleeping setup Jase knocked the tap on the spare gas cylinder! Within seconds we had a camper van filled with a gush of LPG and that really set the tone of Cuzzie. The tired, grumy team all had a spat at each other. We all headed to different corners of the campsite to cool off and wait for the stench of the LPG to dissipate, the doors of Cuzzie wide open at 11.30pm at night, rain and wind coming in from every angle. Damn, we were grumpy! Trish slept on the front seat, reclined for the night, waking up with swollen feet (like her airline hostess days!) I was wishing I was on a night paddle away from it all and Jase was just wishing he was in a flooded tent at his normal Christmas haunt in Hahei, (the Coromandel) but the reason we are all still friends after 69 days of this journey is that we were laughing about this before sleep and no it was not the LPG fumes!

At midnight we finally went to sleep, knowing there was no paddling due to bad weather the support crew settled in for a sleep in. I was awake, as per normal, early but quietly wrote txt's and emails and read the news on my mobile until 9.00am when I decided enough sleeping had been done for all. I took a phone call that had them stirring, everyone seemed happier for their extended rests.

Brekkie was a feast today, my yummy pancakes with coconut sugar, caramalized banana, yoghurt and shards of coconut. We could also have added bacon but decided this was a little to excessive. Cups of coffee washed it down while we sat in the coolest little camp kitchen chatting to Jo, Paul and the cool team who own, work and keep this little quirky, quaint camping location a happening thing. They have fresh free range eggs for all to help themselves to, herbs in the garden and a fresh loaf of bread cooking when you get into the kitchen in the morning. Now this is special, in actual fact is it a first ever, a great little touch. We will be back for the fresh warm breakfast bread for sure.

We did have a late start on our off the water antics today but it was nice that everybody was back happy, smiling and now laughing hysterically at the LPG incident! The grumpy team last night, not even hot free showers had helped the tired team, but sleep had repaired our moods on the wet, windy, cold day.

Off we drove to Pegasus Bay winery, pulling up in the car park in Cuzzie with two kayaks on the roof, we seemed a little far away from water and our adventure. Actually I felt like a fish out of water, as the saying goes. The support team were on a wine tasting mission so I had time for a little bit of fun by people watching, always a good past time to just sit back, observe and just imagine that you know what and who these strangers all are, do and how they are connected. Wine tasting completed, wine purchase made, we grabbed some takeaway coffees and went for a wander into their garden and down to the duck ponds with the walk ways and the little red bridges. They have great little vege patches with artichokes, herbs, red current bushes laden with fruit, fig and fruit trees a plenty, a very beautiful place, it would be even better on a sunny day. The team had their wine but I was far more keen to get some organic olives and oil so the next stop was Terrace Edge Winery and Olives. We chatted there and I got my supplies of olives & oil for my trip, now we were all happy. Best we get food for a late lunch before the Hangry mood descends on us all. Into the supermarket we rock and spread out with the shopping lists, everyone on a mission and then we met up back at the checkout. The snack food of choice today was kettle fry chippies! (Nat they were on special so we treated ourselves) We then headed off to torment me and sit at Amberley beach, look at the rough seas, the rain and the wind. Thanks guys, keeping me focused and reminding me of the journey I am on, it is not a tour of wineries and olive groves, it is paddling, as if I could or would forget.

We were fed and ready now to head back to the campsite. I had gear to wash and dry, we had some maintenance and repairs to make to the side door of Cuzzie, she had decided to lock this access point for the past few weeks and we were keen to gain use of this door again. Tim the Tool man as of 5.30pm today has at last succeeded and gained access, yippie! Just manual access but we are in the side door and that is brilliant.

Trish is on dinner duties, cooking up a storm in the kitchen and chatting to the other visitors. I am sitting in Cuzzie with all our clean dry gear, and the heater on (yes the heater is on) as it is cold, even the crew are saying so. I think it is meant to be summer but at the moment my most worn clothing item by far is still my black woollen leggings, and (thank goodness for them) my Sharkskin water and windproof jacket, go Sharkskin clothing.

So my smiles for the 3rd of January, 2016:
Breakfast and meeting the team at Waipara Sleepers, hearing their adventures and stories of travelling, they were so very interesting. Also the biggest, heart warming moment when you gave us free accommodation, I am truly humbled, thank you Paul.
The teams ability to be able to laugh at ourselves and our grumpy moments! This is a true skill and I luv everyone of the team that is with me on this journey for having this skill.
Nat and her daily snapchats, emails and crazy banter while she is away. You are one special lady, we are pleased you are on this journey.
Cuzzie and her quirky nature, she is truly like a cartoon character vehicle.
I smile today because this journey of mine has taken me to some amazing, unknown locations that we would never have been to or thought of visiting, so I smile big time at myself for having dared to dream.

My thoughtful moment today:
My thoughts are to the people who have commented on my blogs and have taken the time to talk and share with me there thoughts. One day I will be able to thank you personally, until then, keep following and if you have a moment please share.

Wind, rain and southerlies please go away! Red needs to paddle just for a day.

Red

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