Sunday 30 October 2016

Sunday in my little world was pretty cool apart from being up and awake far too early. It was so very calm and quiet this morning in the campsite. One funny thing did happen during the night however, the resident possum decided to jump onto Cuzzie’s roof of in the early hours of this morning and the loud “thud” did give us a bit of a fright! Jase started telling the possum it was a "dick-head" but I just rolled over and went back to sleep, the possum having already done this to me a couple of times since staying in this campsite. The possum, on the other hand, was probably laughing itself silly at having woken us up!

When the sun streamed into Cuzzie, we eventually dragged ourselves away from the warm interior and headed out for a walk along the banks of Aotea Harbour. Then it was back to the campsite to pack up as we were both heading north. Jase back to Auckland for another week of work and me, well I’m heading north to Raglan to collect a support person as there is a high possibility that I’ll be able to paddle tomorrow. We drove to Raglan to have a scrumptious lunch in a little café and then my wonderful support person Nat arrived to spend a few days with me. We headed south back to Marokopa having given big hugs to Jase as he went in the opposite direction. The two hour and fifteen minute trip back to Marokopa simply flew past as all we did was chat. We had so much to talk about and catch up on. How cool to have some time to share with Nat! I have to thank these amazing support crew people yet again for continuing to come and help whenever they have time.

We drove past amazing green paddocks and numerous animals. I managed to dodge a large bush turkey that decided to cross the road just as we went round a corner. We also saw also pheasant flying low into some bushes. Back country roads seem to have surprises round each corner.

Marokopa is very quiet, with no-one about at all. It’s still windy when we arrive and, as we cook dinner, I hope like heck we have gotten the forecast correct. With no mobile network coverage, I send a satellite message to Jase to get a weather update and also to let other support people who help me along the way know that I’m out of coverage again but will talk to them later tomorrow, once off the water. I go to bed just as the sun has just set, extremely happy that I have a former crew member back with the Redz NZ team. Cuzzie will also be a tad happy! Otherwise, let’s just wait and see what happens tomorrow, one day of paddling is better than nothing after all! I’m now officially behind schedule again on my newest plan. Jeez, Mother Nature, this is not a fun game you are playing with me.

My smiles today:
Beach-walking in the sunshine.
Driving the gravel back roads.
A yummie Raglan café lunch. Thanks, Jase.
Watching the surfers on the Raglan waves.
Nat returning for a few days.
Another week of life as a nomad.

My thoughts today:
The people that actually make an effort to stay in your life are the only ones you really need.

Goodnight from Red and Nat.

Ma Te Wa.

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