Day 256...Wind, Wind and More Wind

A warm fire, a bottomless cup of coffee and a few chapters of a beautiful book to read before sunrise. Then I sort of got motivated, not enough to walk to the beach this morning, but enough to chop some kindling to restock the firewood bins, to grab my gear from this large cottage and relocate myself into a smaller cottage on the farm. As others were coming to stay for the weekend, I needed to move out. The chickens came to say ”hi” at the back doorstep. Given the slightest chance, they would try to dart in the back door, probably because I had stashed a bag of food scraps just inside the door, and they were sure it was for them to feast on, not for the pigs up the hill!

I drove a few hundred metres down the track, unloaded my overnight gear into the new little cottage, got excited when I saw the open fire and then returned to Cuzzie. The ground I had parked on had been a bit too soft and the back wheels had started to spin, but no panic. I got out the trusty orange plastic ramp thingies that we had kept for just such situations and, within minutes, we were on the move again. Yay for this great invention, a “must have”  item in any camper-van!

Back to have a shower and then, to drop into the shearing shed for morning tea. There are more than seven hundred sheep for the team to shear today. Then I head off into Takaka to chat with Sage from Fresh FM radio about my paddling journey, about depression in general and its effects on everyone involved. The drive today was somewhat hair-raising as huge winds were buffeting Cuzzie about and I was having to hold onto the steering wheel with both hands. Nevertheless, we arrived safely in Takaka, took food supplies on board, then went in to chat with Sage. It was a great little interview that will be on the air next week (I’ll keep you all posted).

Back to the farm I head. Only briefly I thought about going for a run on the hill, then detoured to see some caves, but managed to miss the turn-off and failed to locate them. Oh well, perhaps some other day. But in the end, I was keen just to get off the road safely, to stop driving in this crazy wind and get my fire going. I stopped at the inlet to see if there was any shelter at all for a possible paddle. As I stepped out of Cuzzie, the door nearly got ripped off by the wind, so that answered my question! Back past the shearing shed, just in time for smoko. We chatted over a cup of tea, then I was off into my cottage to light the fire, get my dinner underway and enjoy a quiet evening. Well, sort of quiet, as I do my normal torment of checking the weather, and that sends my mind off on a slightly manic obsessive track. Hmmm, the weather!! Some days it’s not that simple. Calmer from where you leave and rougher where you wish to go; and so the mental anguish continues. Another fire, another day, and another chance to meet new and wonderful strangers.

My smiles today:
How strong can a wind possibly get?
Open fires are definitely the best.
A cute farm cottage. Thank you.
A moment of "bugger, Cuzzie is stuck!"
Takaka. Such a great little town!
Thanks Sage, for allowing me to come in and chat.

My thoughts today:
You can't undo past mistakes. Always look forwards, not backwards.
Look around, and you’ll realise that you’re still here, stronger and wiser. You made it through!

Good night from Red. Ma Te Wa.

Gotta love open fires.

My mates the chickens.

DAY 255...Windy and a Return to School

A normal off-the-water day for me and, like most of New Zealand, I was woken by big, strong, easterly winds. I certainly wasn’t heading down the farm tracks to the beach this morning but rather, I sat at the kitchen table and made up a very quick set of my paddling images into a short presentation that the Collingwood Area School had asked me to do at their afternoon assembly. This, together with other internet-related tasks, took me a few hours. Then it was time to do a bit of a tidy up, chat to a local radio station about my adventure, grab some lunch and hit the road into Collingwood. I pass the inlet and it’s flat as, but there is a massive wind carving its way across the water. No time for me to paddle today as high tide is right about now (1pm) and also, I would have been completely blown over.

Cuzzie and I weave along the gravel roads, then out onto the turning and the main road to Collingwood. We get buffeted by the strong winds and the bay is covered in whitecaps, only small waves maybe but nevertheless, it’s a crazy-looking sea. At the school, I sign in and then wander with Charles over to set up my quick presentation. The kids all arrive and the school proceedings begin. It‘s a small school with a great amount of pride and I listen to the kids and the teachers who are speaking ahead of me. There is real passion in the voices of the teachers, and the kids seem to have respect for them and enjoy them. You can also see that they are all keen to end this day and end this term. What kids don’t love school holidays, and tomorrow is the last day before their holidays begin. I hope they liked the pictures and that they didn’t find my talk too boring. Hopefully, I ignited a dream in someone's mind today. But, as soon as the school bell sounded, it was like all schools. They were released and heading in all directions, in the way that schoolkids do.

As for me, I head away in Cuzzie, back to the farm. Once unloaded, it was time for me to go walking and get some beach time before dark. Hat, hoodie and jacket on. The wind pushed me all the way down to the beach and once there, the sand was being swept along the beach, sandblasting my ankles and calves. Even though the ocean is relatively flat, there are a few big swells that even this gale force wind can’t flatten. But I truly believe this insane wind could smooth and flatten anything that got in its way today. Even the ocean wasn’t putting up a fight. I climbed some rocks, looked north and south, watched a few sets of waves roll in, then turned, pulled my hat down over my ears and walked head-on into the cold, blustery wind. By the time I got back, I could feel my ears starting to ache. The cows along the way gave me the same look as the other morning. If only they could talk, doubtless they’d be shaking their heads and saying "What the heck are you doing? Have you nothing better to do today? You are one insane female." Fortunately, I can’t hear them but I can still read their minds!

Finally, I’m glad to be back in the warm house. Crocs kicked off and sitting next to the fire in this great little recliner chair. Best not get too comfortable. Tomorrow I have a trip into Takaka. Maybe I’ll locate a sheltered hike to do. Here’s hoping that everyone else is tucked away, safely inside, away from the wind and the rain. Yet again, I’m thankful not to have been stuck in a tent on a bare beach over the past few weeks of this journey. That would have been tough, way too tough.

My smiles today:
Looking at pictures of my trip so far; so many great memories.
The crazy wind today.
The beautiful school in Collingwood.
Crispy, roast potatoes.
The cows’ faces said it all today!

My thoughts today:
Happiness is not something that comes ready-made. Rather, it comes from your own actions.

Red signing off for this evening. Ma Te Wa.

Wind blown.

Sand dunes on my beach.

Flying sand.

DAY 254...In and Around Westhaven Inlet

As is normal for me, my day started far earlier than most would like. But I enjoy these peaceful, early mornings. I sit and watch the flames in the fireplace, soaking up the warmth, drinking a mug of coffee, reading my book and I am one happy person, having "me" time before the sun wakes up.

By 7.30am, it’s time to get wrapped up warmly to hike down to the beach and look at the ocean. Time to watch the day dawn and feel the frost beneath my feet. Time to set out along the farm track wearing crocs with no socks! What an amazing frost there is in the valley this morning, crisp and white but no frozen puddles. Even the cows in the paddocks were rather surprised to see me out and about this early. As I got closer to the beach, I could hear the waves as the tide came in, not really surprising as I knew what the weather was doing. The sunrise behind me was amazing, with the ocean being its normal majestic self, preparing for a storm and each set of waves seemed to increase in intensity further out to sea. I stood to one side, just looking, sheltering from the cool wind, admiring not just the coastline but the day itself; brilliant blue skies with not a cloud to be seen.

Turning back, I walked back to the farmhouse to eat my breakfast and get ready for a paddle around the inlet while it was still high tide, when the inlet is at its best. I get geared up before I jump into Cuzzie, then drive fifteen minutes down the road to a boat ramp where I unload Louise and, within no time at all it seems, I am on the water. We cruise along, heading round the edges of the inlet. I see Joyce on the quad bike, way up on the ridge. She shouts out and I wave. The inlet is a beautiful paddle. As I get further along, the wind picks up and suddenly, I’m paddling into a stiff headwind. But it’s fun, especially as I know I’m going to have a fast return trip. I turn after an hour and retrace my course back to the boat ramp. As we turn, so does the tide, so we race along with a tail wind but with the outgoing tide, the pace really stays the same. It felt really good to be out on these waters and I realise I’m going to enjoy tiki-touring about here. What a lovely discovery!

All the while, I’m mindful of the time, as I’m due to meet Joyce to head into Collingwood School for a Matariki evening of fundraising and having a hangi. After a quick shower, I get dressed and no sooner than I am ready, I’m in the car with Joyce, heading for the school. But first, we stop to see her son Johnny at a local farm working hard in his shearing gang, getting as many sheep shorn as possible before the end of the day. It’s been a very long time since I last stood in a wool-shed, watching everyone else working. Go you guys and girls! It’s extremely hard physical work, with each and every one of them having their own job to do. But it flows like clockwork and they are rocking along. The entire team working as one, without saying much, but a large number of sheep seem to be heading back out the door minus their fleeces.

Next stop is the school and we chat to lots of different people. To say I met a diverse group tonight is a total understatement; the local didgeridoo player, the headmistress, the dentist, the outrigger paddlers, the daycare workers, and a man who has walked the Heaphy Track more than four hundred times. The list is endless, everyone who is anyone in this community was there, supporting, enjoying and generally being part of the evening. Again, what a cool little community! This school has a really good vibe. The kids had helped prepare not only the hangi itself but also the food (pork, chicken, goat or vegetarian). Thanks to all of them for the great food, it was truly amazing!

As darkness arrives, it starts getting colder. The wind has dropped but the clouds have arrived, the calm before the storm, as they say. Let’s just wait and see how the winds are over the next few days. We head home for the night. I stoke my fire, sit down with a hot mug of tea and read in the comfortable old recliner chair, looking out at the dark sky and welcoming the stormy weather, in the sure knowledge that after each storm, the calm returns and then, I can start paddling again.

My smiles today:
Westhaven Inlet, what a paddling gem at high tide.
This great community, somehow the cities seem to have lost their way.
A great hangi, nothing better!
Parsnip crisps. My favourite after a paddle.

My thoughts today:
Each new day is a unique gift, twenty four hours (one thousand four hundred and forty minutes) of opportunities, choices and chances. Make the most of them!

Goodnight from Red. I'm in a very happy place. Ma Te Wa.

A dream of a paddle, Westhaven Inlet.

Who is more surprised?

The hard working Hangi team.

DAY 253...Up and Over the Hill

An alarm was set for this morning, not to check the weather reports, but to get up and on with this day of mine, as there was a big drive planned with stops along the way, because we (the Redz NZ team) were off to Nelson! Once up, I made coffee, stoked the fire and pulled down all my (now dry) washing from the hanging rack above it. Everything is warm and dry. Honestly why have a tumble dryer when these drying racks work perfectly well!! Even though my bras and knickers are out in the open for all to see. We walked up the farm hill to the main house, said a quick “good morning”, dropped off some scraps for the pigs and then jumped into Cuzzie to get on the road.

First stop was Collingwood to do a drop-off, then into Takaka to grab a coffee from Wholemeal, a great little café that had been recommended to me (and we certainly weren’t disappointed). Back we jumped into Cuzzie, with hot coffees in hand and Jase (of course) with a massive cinnamon scroll that, apparently, was delicious! Some days you’d think it was him that was doing the paddling!! Next stop was Nelson, to pick up some items from the courier and the Post Office. By that stage, my stomach was rumbling, so we had ourselves a treat in Nelson. A gorgeous friend of Jason’s had left a voucher at the River Café for us to spend on lunch, so a very big “thank you” to Anita, lunch was absolutely delicious! This is a great little café and we would recommend it to anyone visiting Nelson.

Now, I open the parcel I picked up and am blown away by a beautiful copy of a book I have been reading, personally-signed by the author, with some very magical and inspiring words. I am humbled by the handwritten note and passage he has written in the book. This is a true treasure so, carefully, I pop it back in its packaging. But Jase and I still have one more stop to do, so we call into visit some friends who loaned us tools and their garage to do the kayak upgrades and repairs. We drop off a gift of a crayfish to thank them for their wonderfully kind hearts. Then it’s off to what has become an all too well-known destination, Nelson Airport. No need for the support crew for at least seven days or more and Jase’s clients and his Physical Training business need him to return. Not for the first time do I look at this airport and hope that maybe, just maybe, this could be my last visit, but I am truly not getting my hopes up!

As we sit and wait, I start fidgeting. All day we have been blessed by sunshine, blue skies and no wind. I’m shocking at not being able to accept the weather forecast but, as Jase leaves, he reminds me to write down what is happening with the weather each day, stating the reasons why I’m not paddling (the wind, the swells, the directions) and then he instructs me to write down my perfect paddling requirements for the next section, as well as an A B C plan. I agree to do what he says, accepting that I’m being an insane redhead and promising to follow this simple routine each and every day. Then we say our “goodbyes” and I head for the car park and Cuzzie, to return to my solo lifestyle.

Leaving Nelson behind, I drive back over the Takaka Hills and then along the gravel roads to Kaihoka Lakes. Thankfully, I’m back at the farm before dark with the fire lit and dinner cooked. Tomorrow I’ll be out and about, starting with an early morning walk to the beach before breakfast, hoping to get on the Westhaven Inlet for a paddle at high tide, and then off to a Matariki school event. I’m excited. Many grateful thanks to the Wyllie family, both for the invite and for the use of your house.

My smiles today:
The farm pigs coming to say “hi”!
My insane weather-watching.
The farm fireplace and the comfortable old recliner chairs beside it.
The River Café lunch.
The Takaka Hills, the views today were quite incredible.
My beautiful book. Thanks Ev. Thanks Barry.
And thanks, Gus, for your call of support today. Happy memories of Barns Beach.

My thoughts today:
“Too many people use being scared as an excuse for not trying. Sure, you may fail. But try anyway. That’s how you grow; that's how you do incredible things."

And that’s it for now. Ma Te Wa.

Westhaven Inlet.

Our Mates.

DAY 252...Twists, Turns, Winds and Swells

Okay, to make this mad adventure of mine have as many unexpected twists and turns as possible (tinged with a little good fortune) here is today for you all! The boat rocked back and forth most of the night. It was actually quite nice and relaxing, (kind of like being in a hammock, swinging you to sleep) but not a motion that some people would like, especially not if they had a tendency towards seasickness.

At 5.30am, I was up and receiving my weather satellite message. As you might have guessed, it was no longer favourable to be on the water (so a ”no go”) and I had to put the paddle down. By a stroke of good luck, the crew of the fishing boat were due to unload their filled bins today onto a pre-booked chiller truck that was meeting them at the wharf in the Westhaven/Whanganui Inlet. As the sun rose, they started to ready their bins. They were on a tight deadline to get across the inlet’s horrendous bar and were due to go up to the wharf to unload, re-load with provisions, throw me and Louise overboard until such time as a more suitable weather window arrives and then, get back across the bar before the tide turned.

It was literally “all hands on deck”, with me grabbing the frozen boxes of bait from the truck driver and then, when Jase arrived soon after, he was also on the wharf, wading knee deep in water (there being a huge high tide up over the wharf ramps) carrying bins of crayfish back and forth to the truck. It all was done quickly and without any hitches. Then it was my turn, we dropped Louise over the side, I clambered over as well, sat in her and paddled quickly to the ramp, while the team on “Preditor” headed back out of the inlet to the bar in order to get out onto the West Coast ocean again.

We exchanged details of when, where and how I would get back with them. I plan to begin my paddle at the original pick-up point once the weather has cleared sufficiently. There was no point me staying on board as they, too, could be heading back into dock in the next day or so, as the winds are looking really bad. “Oh, well” I thought, “Westhaven Inlet needs to be paddled around as it looks pretty amazing at high tide.” As we loaded up, we found we had an extra bin, our own huge crayfish for dinner tonight. Although “huge” doesn’t describe it well enough, “MONSTER” maybe!

Having waved goodbye to the “Preditor”, we left the wharf and headed back to the Wyllie farm, a favourite place of mine. Big hugs and “hellos” to Joyce and family, then a long shower as Jase cooked up a big lunch and I chatted and laughed about the last twenty-four hours of this crazy journey. How incredibly lucky to have met and been connected to these groups of people and how they have all helped so much to get me this little bit further north.

I have to sidetrack for a second to tell you that, when Jase was whizzing back along the road yesterday, just a little further south of the Mokihinui River, who did he happen to see walking along the beach but Kirsty, the way cool lady who waved me goodbye a month ago from their crazy, heaving West Coast beach. I will never forget the colourful, cool people who have stopped to chat to us every day. Thanks to all, you are the ones who have helped to make this trip so memorable.

Anyway back to my day. Once we had been fed and my gear was washed and drying, it was then beach walking and assessing time. As suspected, it was a seething mass of water with a big, westerly swell rolling in, with a really low tide and big winds. But as always on this coast, there is something that makes you stop, something that makes you sit down and absorb the incredible force and rawness in this part of the country. Whether it's the massive sand dunes, so tall they nearly reach the sky; or the huge rocks and cliffs to climb, on which to feel the wind trying to blow you sideways; or the rock pools that have been formed, looking like big, mermaid baths in and around the exposed low tide rocks. I walk and continue talking about everything I see. It’s as if my eyes are new and I’m looking at everything with an enhanced sense of excitement and wonder. This beach today is powerful and the feeling has cemented itself in my mind as a place just to sit on a huge, high rock and look out to sea. It makes me feel very much in the moment.

But I’m dragged back to the farmhouse as we have to cook the monster crayfish. Now I love eating the beasts but, alive, kicking and very active crayfish are not my best friends. I leave this to Jase to deal with and there’s lots of laughter as he tries to get it in the pot. Dive gloves on, pot and tongs in hand, he’s in his element. Go Chef Jason! Tonight it’s crayfish for starters and roast lamb for mains, for our dinner at the farmhouse table.

My smiles today:
Helping out on the cray-boat. I reckon I could be a useful crew member, well, nearly!
Climbing into Louise off the back of the huge boat.
Back on the farm, back by the fire.
The beach today. Wild, raw freedom.

My thoughts today:
Life is a wave. Catch it!

Tonight we have the fire cranked up and I’m actually very happy. Another step closer, baby steps, perhaps, but at least not drifting backwards.

Goodnight from Red, Jase and everyone else at the farmhouse. Ma Te Wa.

New Crew... 

Overboard you go Red.

Rock Pools.

Day 251...Paddling to a Hotel on the Water

Up as per normal, reading the weather report and I couldn’t believe my eyes, swell under 1m and winds no more than nine knots. What a great start to this Sunday! Now all I need to do is nail this beach launch and I’ll be off and racing!! In fact, I said to Elaine at the campground that, if I couldn’t get past the waves in my kayak today, I would tie it onto me and swim out past the breakers! We still have time today to try again. This launch is going to be further back along the road from Kohaihai (a repeat paddle of the 14km one that caused me so much grief) a trip down memory lane for the first two hours.

Now for the launch: We’re both nervous, running up and down the beach loading up Louise and then, a few loud yells of “Can I go yet?”. Massive waves were smashing onto the beach but then, for what seemed like minutes, there was a break. Again I screamed “Can I go?”. Jase hesitated only for a moment before shouting “Go!” and I damn well did, paddling two hundred strokes before even daring to stop. Then another fifty to be sure I had missed any random rogue waves. Then I stopped to VHF Jase, saying “Talk to me!”. I really needed to talk because I was so fired up, I almost wanted to scream before my heart jumped out of my chest. We reconfirmed the paddling plan and then, I was on my own again.

It takes until I’m well past Kohaihai Bluff to settle down. I said “goodbye” to Kohaihai Bluff as I went past, then as we got further along the coast, I looked at Nettle Bay, at the beach that had sucked me in before slapping T2 and myself hard some four weeks earlier. This time, however, I just keep paddling. At the mouth of the Heaphy River, the beach looks rough and treacherous. A totally never-to-be-attempted location for me and my kayak. I shimmy along this coast on a beautiful day with calm seas. Once in a while, there’s a head wind but nothing bad, nothing to complain about, not even a bird, or a fin, or a jumping fish to be seen for most of my six and a half hours of paddling. Every 10 to 12kms, I send a message to Jase saying I’m tracking okay.

Slowly but surely, I get closer to Kahurangi Point. At the 48km mark, I was very happy to have at last passed it, and to have turned a corner towards being closer to the top of this island. The wind at that stage had turned. There was a south-westerly blowing and I was humming along nicely, doing six to six point five minutes per kilometre. (Yippee!) Now this is the fun bit, as I am due to locate the fishing boat "Preditor" just round the corner and meet up with the owner (Jason and Charlie his crew member) as their vessel is to be my hotel for the night.

The angels must have been looking after me because, even though I was an hour earlier than expected, when I messaged them to say where I was located, the crew were already mooring up for the night, just off the big river. They replied, telling me to stay put, that they would locate me. Now that was no easy task, especially with a tail wind and a swell, so slowly I moved another couple of kilometres further north. I certainly didn’t want to paddle in the dark another 37kms to the farm beach and, in any case, I had promised the team that I wouldn’t even attempt to do that (not like the last time).

I scanned the horizon for a good thirty minutes before, finally, seeing the fishing boat heading towards me. I was more than a little bit relieved, as it was getting cold out on the water. But they located me easily enough and they pulled up right next to me. I climbed up a rope ladder they had made for me and then, much to my surprise, they reached overboard and hauled Louise up onto the deck. We are both aboard and high and dry for the night, how sweet is that! If the weather turns , I’ll be dropped off oat the port as they off load there full bins of crayfish and then rejoin them on their next trip out, when I will jump overboard from where I was collected and continue. Or, if once back onboard  and the weather turns bad, I'll have to stay on-board and work my passage until my next chance to escape. Unfortunately, the weather seems to be turning. I hear there are forty knot winds forecast!! I risk losing my sea legs with that kind of weather report. Once again, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Anyway here on board, for the time being I’m dry, having had a hot drink and hot food, so I’m feeling pretty blessed. Tonight, as I lie in a bunk bed, getting tossed to and fro by the swell, deep inside me I already know the answer as to whether or not I’ll be paddling tomorrow, and somehow, I think it is a not. But at least I’m more than happy with today's 53kms.

My smiles today:
The adrenaline-stoked beach launch.
The beautiful day on the water.
Seeing “Preditor” on the horizon.
My bunk bed on the ocean.
My escape from that beach, at last!

My thoughts today:
It will eventually happen, you just have to wait and be patient. Oh, yes! A whole new level of patience.

Goodnight from Red and Louise, on a fishing boat out in the Tasman Sea. Ma Te Wa.

Hotel Preditor.

Views from the water just south of Kahurangi Point.

Day 250...Tough on Support Crew

Oh my, how we tried! We are nothing if not determined! This is how today panned out and it was anything but boring.

5am: Weather update read and re-read. Swell down a little, wind up and some rain forecast. Paddling was still possible. The chance of getting out was okay, the winds weren’t great but if I got out, then I would just have to suck it up.

5.30am: Discussion began as Cuzzie got buffeted by a couple of good gusts. I turned on the light, opened a curtain and stared out at the weather, feeling the wind rocking the camper-van, and so closed the curtain again. Placing the weather report in Jase’s hand, I said “Read, please!!”. The swell was down, like yesterday, so an attempt was a “must”.

6.30am: Lights on in Cuzzie. I started getting up, opened a curtain again so I could see when it was light enough outside to head to the beach, all the while throwing questions, comments and general “what ifs” and all of my ‘”maybes” at Jase. Oh how the support crew are suffering! But, let me tell you, this was only the start of their torture today.

7.15am: I’m on the beach and, to me, it was sort of looking okay. The wind was my main concern, one that I voiced back at the camper-van. Damn the wind, a rather over-the- limit north-westerly. “Shit” was my initial thought but, I had to at least try to get off this beach today. Further north, the fishermen said it had flattened off, but the wind was starting to blow. No need to torment them anymore until I actually get on the water, and that was truly the fun stuff to look forward to. I forced breakfast down my throat. As we ate, it started to rain. How marvelous!! (Not!) But, what’s a little rain when you have to get through the waves? All my gear is sorted and ready. We triple check that we have everything we can possibly think of, get down to the water’s edge, climb into Louise and skirt up. Jase stands in front, holding Louise into the waves and keeping me straight. I’m ready. Then, as we watch the waves, the conversation goes something like this: "Can I go?" “No!!".

Okay, I can see the breaking waves out the back. Just sort of waiting for me to get to them, then thump the crap out of me and Louise. This conversation repeats itself again and again for the next hour and a half. During this time we even relocate 200 metres down the beach and try again. Jase getting smashed by the ocean and me also just waiting, counting, and hoping after each massive set that there will be a break in the waves. Just enough to get out. A couple of times I screamed loudly: “Now!!”. But the reply was “NO!! You can't see what I can see!”.

11.15am: We went to try another location, dragging Louise with all her gear and shoved the entire kayak in the back of Cuzzie!! Sand, grass and two very wet people racing 2kms along the road to another beach, to another location we had thought yesterday might be another option. With Louise on wheels, we drag her through and along this track, but these wheels are not made for the off-road, big, muddy puddles in which we are wading ankle deep!! Down onto the beach, we set up again, but again we have the same scenario. This time with even more pressure on us as we agreed that we only had till just after midday. This would still mean me paddling for two hours in the dark, which was not ideal but, now I wanted to get out there.

We sat and watched and, yet again, the same scenario: “Can I go?”. “NO!! You’ll get smashed!!” Then I started watching the time and with every minute that passed, I realised it was slipping away. Also, I could see Jase shivering violently as he held the kayak and counted and watched the wave sets. As he turned and looked to me, I had such a look of determination on my face. But by now, it was already 30 minutes after my final deadline!! Jase just looked and said: "Sorry, it ain't going to happen today”. He was now shivering so badly that I sort of forgot about my own crazy fool attitude. Then and there the decision was made to put down the paddle. Shit, I was gutted. But by now, it was more about getting Jase out of his wet clothing and into warm leggings. We stood on the beach in another rainstorm, him shaking, trying to pull on warm leggings, me throwing on my sharkskin jacket and trying to get warm. We ran as quickly as we could, trying to pull Louise back up and along the wet and muddy track. As soon as we got back to Cuzzie, I switched on the gas heater while Jase jumped inside the camper-van and started trying to get warm. It took a while and, as I slowly unloaded Louise and put my gear away, he sat by the gas heater trying to defrost and dry out. I think he was even more gutted than me and he was the one now having the “maybes” and the “what ifs” that are the torment of the support crew.

Simply put, it was just not meant to be today, and from all accounts, the weather was not that suitable for me further north either, so it was probably a positive. It took us some time to warm up, to get loaded up and be on our way back into Karamea and the the Four Square store. Both me and my crocs were still covered in mud when I jumped out of Cuzzie. The rain was falling heavily and the gutter at the side of the road was full of water, so I slipped off my crocs and left them in the drain to get clean. Into the store I dashed to buy some food, then back out to Cuzzie. To find my crocs had washed away!! What an idiot! Now I’m running down the road, trying to retrieve my crocs which, by this time, had gone over the top of the storm water grate!! Holy heck, I have to admit that, by this stage, I was crying, half in frustration and half with laughter at my own stupidity. The sight was hilarious. Actually the funniest moment of the day!

Back we go to the Karamea Domain, a really cool campsite. Last time we arrived, we got whitebait fritters. Today it was lemon and cream cheese muffins. We were also welcomed with big smiles and lots of chatter. Then we cooked up a late lunch before Jase was sent off to help the ladies bring in a flounder net, as if he hadn’t been in the water enough for one day!! I had washed and dried all our gear by the time they arrived back with twelve large flounder. Jase even had a smile on his face, probably (no, definitely) for only the second time today!! Poor man. It later transpired that he had even managed to drop a flounder and it had swum off, saved from being eaten by Jase!! Tonight, we have fresh flounder for dinner and our sights set on tomorrow, when we will start all over again. Another day, perhaps another chance.

My smiles today:
Such determination this morning, but the waves were even more determined.
We’ve all heard of babies being chucked out with the bathwater, but whoever heard of crocs being washed away in the rainwater?
Fresh lemon and cream cheese muffins.
The support crew suffering from hypothermia.
Sunshine and calm later today, too little, too late.
Flounder nets and ladies in waders, go the women of NZ!
Mother Nature wins again!

My thoughts today:
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again.
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
The most certain way to succeed is always to TRY just ONE more time.

Goodnight from Red and Jase. Ma Te Wa.

Fay and Josie checking the Flounder Net.

Croc Recovery Complete.

Jason has now been shown how it's done.

Chasing the Croc.

Day 249...Almost. But Not Quite.

This morning. I'm really not sure what to say, it’s calmer but (as with any beach) there are good times to leave and bad times to leave, depending on the tides. My beach, she calmed. We counted the sets as we waited, and by the time we had decided that “yep, it can be done!”, it was already too late in the day. You have to laugh or cry. Sorry to disappoint, but this is not a section of coastline I want to paddle at night.

Another stream of tears of pure frustration but, then I changed. At last I have seen this beach actually show me it can be calm and I can actually get out. But of course, it was after 1pm today and way too late in the day to paddle. Of course there was also a chance, late at sunset tonight, where we saw space and gaps to depart onto the ocean. I feel there is light at the end of a dark turbulent sea. It might not be this time, but it is going to happen soon.

Anyway, stop tormenting yourself, take your time and go walking, find a hike track and ignore the rest of the stuff. Firstly, we attempted to drive Cuzzie up a very dodgy dirt track to Oparara Basin walk. Well, I did sort of try and tell Jason there was no camper-van sign, and it was true, so after only 5kms, we turned back. We parked up and ate lunch where we were joined by two beautiful birds (South Island robins) both so cheeky and friendly. Jase tried to tempt them with some of his lunch to get them close enough for a picture; one even sat at the open window.

After a quick lunch, we went back along the dirt road as I was desperate to go walking, so we headed to the Fenian Caves loop walk. Shoes on and backpack loaded, off we went. It was a great hike. This walk consisted of three open access caves, one that is one hundred metres long which you have to walk and scramble through as part of the circuit. Up and down we went, where parts of this track were a little wet and muddy underfoot, but we had some fun. The native bush, the moss and lichen is amazing and extremely enchanting. I always say there are fairies and magic in these forests! We clamber and crawl in and out of the caves, slip and slide and get muddy, but experience two hours of real fun. Then it was back to the beach, to park up for the night and back to staring at the beach again, watching the waves, counting the wave sets and shaking our heads with much “sucking of teeth" (thanks to Paul Caffyn, I just love that saying!). We head back to Cuzzie, to Proper Potato Chips, to drink endless cups of tea, to check the weather and actually agree on tomorrow's limits.

I have to share with all those who read my crazy Blogs that, over the past few days, there have been some very emotional moments. From sheer frustration, from anxiety-building and then, out it comes. I'm not a happy smiling face all the time, I’m afraid. Not totally fearless, just human, like everyone else. Just bloody hoping that my determination, my pig-headed approach and all the hard work will pay off.

Tonight we rest up and I have to say thanks to my support person, Jase, for jumping on a plane within a few hours to be reassuring over these past few days. To have someone to bounce my ideas off and to throw in some sanity, most certainly helps. Gosh, Nat is so, so lucky to be away in the UK at the moment, no Red mental torture for her! I’m sure if any of the team had a magic wand and one wish, it would be to flatten the sea just for a day. To line up everything, so we could move forward. Please, please, Mother Nature, make it a perfect day for once. The swell, the winds, the tides, and please, make it in daylight!!

My smiles today:
Crazy sea foam.
A glimmer of an escape.
Caving, it was fun.
The locals and their coastal knowledge.
A beautiful, cold, clear day on the West Coast.
The robins.
The crazy wekas.
My camper-van, she is my sanity.

My thoughts today:
Never give up and never lose faith, it allows you to cope. Trying times will pass, as they always do. Just have patience, your dreams will come true. Put a smile on your face and live through your pain, know it will pass and know the strength you will gain.

From Red and Jase. Ma Te Wa.

Well deserved rest after some caving.

Night night from Red.

Day 248...Waiting Game Begins

Last night, we drove back to Kohaihai Bluff from Nelson. Five hours later we arrived. Sadly, I could not only hear the waves but I could actually feel them pounding onto the beach. We both went to bed with heavy hearts, hoping it would calm down. We were up early, way before daylight, got dressed and sat in the dark until we could see the sun starting to rise. Down onto the beach we walked, to the sound of the thundering sea. We stopped, we looked, we watched and we counted the wave sets. Then we looked at each other and said “Nope!” 

Turning our backs to it, we kept on walking, but after an hour on the beach, I knew it was a no go. I have also been in contact with a fisherman further up the coast, who confirmed it was not that great. Back at Cuzzie, I closed the curtains and went back to sleep. Bugger it! I’d been and looked for myself and both my stomach and my mind now had confirmation that it was truly shit. The sun was shining and the wind was okay, but the swell and the waves both told me it was a no go.

Later in the morning we spent more time down on the beach, looking again, this time at different times and at different stages of the tide. High tide, then low tide, but neither looked any better. Then we struck some luck at lunchtime today. It looks like I may have a fisherman’s boat on which to sleep at night, halfway up the coastline, I just have to get there, that’s all! We have planned and schemed and think maybe either tomorrow or Saturday. But I’m not holding my breath. Now I’m going with the flow and will just wait and see how the day pans out.

Tonight, we are sitting in a local pub by a big wooden fire and I am relatively calm. We had a good day on the beach, finding new driftwood huts and new carved driftwood sculptures on this amazing but ruthless coastline. Go the West Coast, you are really testing me! But let's just wait and see what tomorrow throws at me. Tonight for dinner it’s sausages from the local butcher and onions and chips (and a shandy in the pub). It’s cold in our world tonight with clear skies and an amazing sunset (sorry, no pictures). If I make it that far tomorrow, I’ll take a picture of me on the fishing boat.

My smiles today:
A decision easily made. Or, rather, a decision made easily for me.
Being back at the beach on the West Coast.
Meeting the locals, always fun.
The fisherman. You are the best!
Sausages, onions and chips. (Yum!)

My thoughts today:
Listen to that inner self. Don't ever doubt it, just do what you feel is right.
Take a step back, take another look and maybe, just maybe, go back and do it again. But do it better next time.

Goodnight from Red. Ma Te Wa.

Sizing up the waves.

Kohaihai Bluff Waves.

Day 247...Walking and Hiking

I’m sitting reading in the warmth of Cuzzie. It’s still dark outside, so I give myself an hour to read my beautiful book. I absorb some of what I’m reading, then stop and re-read certain sections again. I’m drinking coffee and reckon I’m the only one in the entire campsite. I recommend touring in the winter time, there's no fully-booked camp-sites, that’s for sure!

I hit the beach and put on my watch. Only a short walk today, as I have other things planned. Further along the beach, I stop and take pictures of the trail of opened shells from the seabirds; it goes as far as I can see. Really hard to explain, but I find it rather amusing. There are at least fifty birds on the beach, all chatting away and racing around to get their food for the day. I still don’t need any more shellfish so they don’t need to share today. What else is there on the beach? Would you believe it, the carcass of a dead cow? Not a pretty sight. There was no hair left on the carcass, and it was starting to smell as well. Poor animal, and poor people whose job it’ll be to remove the dead cow!!

Back at Cuzzie, I load up everything, say a “thank you” to the campsite team and then head off to the Rawhiti Caves. A nice walk along the dry river, then a really muddy, steep hill climb to the cave entrance. It’s worth it! The sights were incredible, although my all-weather terrain crocs did get a little muddy. I did slip and land on my butt, but it’s been a while since that last happened. I just had to put up with a very muddy and wet butt for the return trip.

Back in Cuzzie, I drive into Takaka to grab a lotto ticket! If the winning ticket is sold from this little town, maybe I’m the winner! Then over the hill, heading to Nelson. The support crew have been re-called and I’ m picking up Jase from the airport. It's madness really, because we haven't waited for the weather report to roll, but I felt I had to do something to be pro-active. If the weather turns over and goes pear-shaped (bad for paddling north) then I’ll have to stop battling for another day or so. I suppose we could always go hiking!!

During my stay in Golden Bay, I’ve made some really great friends. Now, I have new friends out on the water. I thank all the locals for their knowledge and kindness. But I might be back sooner than you all think. On the road now, heading over more hills. Jase has mist and low cloud to contend with.

My smiles today:
The slippery mud on the hills.
My dearest Jase.
The caves. Absolutely amazing.
My ever-changing mood.

My thoughts today:
Change is scary and often uncomfortable but life begins outside our comfort zone, so learn to embrace it and get used to it!

Until tomorrow from Red, Jase and the team. Ma te Wa.

Open shells from the birds.

BLOG 246..Where to look, what to do?

Normal and rather routine morning. I am up, I read, put on my kayak gear and paddle because I think it’ll make everything feel better inside. I think “just enjoy”. It’s nice, peaceful and calm where I am, so as the sun rises, I get into Louise and I paddle. I sort of go into remote control, with nothing to think about and easy paddling. The sound of the water on my paddles in the silence is bliss. I look towards the distant point and aim, only turning once when I hear a splash and a snort from nearby, only to see a seal playing and munching on fish while totally oblivious to me. As the seal tossed the mutilated fish in the air a few times in between mouthfuls, it was almost like watching a cat playing with and torturing a bird. It disappeared soon afterwards and I continued on my way. A few shags ducked under the water as I passed by, but no dolphins. I find myself scanning the horizon, looking for a fin for company, and to help with today and the paddling. But, alas, not a single one. Out to Separation Point I go, before turning for home, meandering along by the rocks and looking out for someone or something new. As always, I see a sight to remember. The sand, the hills, and the sky are all incredibly clear and bright today. No need for foraging as I’m still eating my huge supplies from my last adventure and from the wonderful gifts of food I have received.

Today needed to be about routine. My mind has started to become a little scrambled, so I push along and once I have completed my 30kms, I head onto the beach, dragging Louise onto her wheels, and walk the longer distance across the sand to my camping ground. I washed Louise down and then just sat in Cuzzie. That didn’t last for long as I had to keep busy, doing things that were on my list such as: emailing, making calls, and doing all the usual things (you know, the stuff that never seems to disappear, even when you’re somewhat off the grid). Some of the business world really can’t comprehend that I have limited access to the Internet, that my cell-phone coverage is also limited and that I am still in the South Island of New Zealand.

Somehow the afternoon zips by. I have a momentary meltdown or two concerning the damn weather forecast. Sometimes I wish I had a magic wand. I’m frustrated!! All I can say is “thank goodness I’m solo at the moment”. While dealing with the delays and the changing weather, I’m not a dream to be near. It is so very, very hard. The other day, I tried to describe it to someone who had the temerity to suggest that I return next summer. “So, when an endurance race gets tough, do you simply pack up, go home and return next year to run the last 20kms?” Absolutely not! That’s called a DNF (did not finish). If you return the following year, you have to do the entire race all over again. I just have to be patient, to wait until the weather pattern starts to make sense, until I feel at ease and everything lines up! (Easier said than done.) I think I’d better stick to the water-torture rolling games.

I will continue to go round in circles. I will continue to try and have total faith in my weather prediction and the online system we have used all the way so far, I will continue to curse myself and the others who are close to me chanting “eat, sleep, paddle, repeat”, and I will keep asking myself: “Red, where would you rather be, paddling round in circles or stuck in the frantic, working world?”. A really good friend said recently “I’m sitting in a crowded tube train while you are in Golden Bay, New Zealand, paddling. I think I know which one of us has a great life!”. Best I stop my inner tantrums! Best to stop fretting about what I cannot change. Tomorrow I’m going to climb some huge hills!

While on the water today, my mind wandered all over the place. I thought a lot about MHFNZ, my charity, and about depression; about the damage that depression and mental illness is causing in our world. Then I found a quote from a recent post on social media that seemed to say it all: “We need much more openness, transparency and understanding. It’s okay to talk about depression as an illness. But it’s not a weakness, it’s not a moral shortcoming, it’s not something people have brought upon themselves.". Thanks to John F. Greden (MD).

Also a big “thank you” to all of you who have shared their stories with me along my journey so far. Stay strong, keep breathing, and laugh with me as I endeavour to stay sane, paddling round in circles in the South Island winter. I still have the crazy dream of paddling the New Zealand coastline.

My smiles today:
Pre-sunrise on the cold waters of Golden Bay.
Watching the sea life enjoy their day.
Actually having time to think and dream. Now, that is a new skill.
Frustration, it drives me more than a little crazy.
The birds and the many seals, but no visible fins.
Pipi fritters. Yum!

My thoughts today:
Life is like a merry-go-round. It’s full of ups and downs and, more often than not, you feel you’re just going around in circles. But, when the ride ends, you’ll want to do it all over again!

Enjoy the rest of your evening. Red.

Great start to any day. Paddle time.

My seal mate.

BLOG 245...Rainbows are Magic

It must seem strange to many that I enjoy being up so early. “Why not sleep in?” most ask me. Well, I can’t! In a strange way, it’s exciting for me to turn on my heater and sit in the warmth of Cuzzie with a hot mug of coffee, sorting out my day as much as I can. This morning, it’s raining. (How surprising.) But I draw back the curtains so I can see as soon as there’s a glimmer of daybreak. Then I’m out to say “Good Morning!” to this day, with layers and layers of clothing to keep me warm against the wind (the final layer being my faithful red rain jacket) and with my all-weather Crocs on my feet. Then it’s off onto the beach where it’s low tide and I start gathering more cockles, clams and pipis. I made the most amazing fritters last night (I have to say they were incredibly delicious). The oyster-catchers and seagulls were not impressed seeing me arrive again this morning, although I do have to admit they seem to have the upper hand on me, having already grabbed some of the largest cockles. It’s a strange experience. It’s pouring with rain and here I am walking along the edge of low tide, with the birds scuttling along in front of me, leaving behind a trail of open shells on the beach. Once in a while, I find some they have missed and grab them for my bag, and by the end of my beach walk, the bag is full. I’m happy. I love being able to go food gathering, even for these humble shellfish. They’re perhaps not quite as exotic as paua but I really like them. Sweet and juicy, just right for another batch of fritters, so that’s my dinner and lunch sorted!

As I reach the end of the beach walk, I turn and a full rainbow has formed behind me, glowing in the otherwise dull, grey sky, and the weather looks like it’s going to clear up today. My stomach’s grumbling, it needs breakfast. It’s already quite late, as I have spent a good couple of hours wandering along the beach this morning but it makes a really nice change from some of the smaller ones on which I spent time in Fiordland. Now I’m obsessed with spending as much time as I can just walking from one end of the beach to the other. (Imagine me on Ninety Mile Beach!! That could prove a bit of a problem!)

Back to Cuzzie I head, stash my bag of shellfish in the fridge to deal with later, then sit in the now warm sunshine and ponder my day. Firstly, I have to open up Cuzzie’s doors to air the place and do my daily housework!! I began tidying up some things, then got chatting to the totally wonderful campsite owner who come from Pohara and have been so incredibly generous. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. We chatted about Fiordland, about what a spectacular place it is, about his trips there each year, agreeing that everybody should spend some time there solo. Just living, just doing, just absorbing the magic of the place.

By now, it was calm and sunny, the day was racing along and the water was calling me to go paddling and exploring for a few hours, to go and visit the birds and other wildlife that is to be found on the islands. As I got ready, I ate my cold fritters, pulled on my gear and then jumped into Louise before paddling off into the sunlight with the sun already high in a very blue sky. A couple of gannets dive into the water with a “plop!” just next to me, then fly off quickly again, having already swallowed whatever they had caught on their dive. Then it was out to see the nesting shags, and around the island to see a seal sunning himself on this wonderful day. I head out, past the marine and mussel farms in Wainui Bay, turning at the 10 km mark. I played a crazy game with myself on the way back, weaving up and down the lines of large buoys in the mussel farm, doing tight turns at each end, like a zigzag race, sprinting up and down on the calm waters. Then, after a while, I aimed for these incredible islands that have a sort of archway or tunnel that you can paddle through. I paddled through them just for the hell of it (a couple of times) a bit like a kid in a playground, going back to my favourite little spots and enjoying the paddle, enjoying being out and about. It was really fun.

Once I got back closer to Pohara beach, I sat and sucked it up, going from being warm and dry to being wet!! Eskimo rolls to celebrate a great paddle, although to be honest, I was in a bit of a hurry on a couple of the rolls which is always a bad move, I know. I can hear all the fantastic instructions: “take your time, set up under the water, don’t hurry!!”. “But the water is really cold!” I can hear myself retorting. “No excuses. Just do it!” Back on dry land, I get changed, have an amazing hot shower, re-heat a pot of coffee, sit in the sun and inhale the remainder of today. Then I have an unexpected visitor. All I can say is “Thanks, Daniel, for taking the time to drive over the Takaka Hill. Thanks for the incredibly fresh food (the homemade spreads, nut butter and pesto) and the loan of a beautiful book”. We talked about this magical South Island, about the outdoors, about life and how great it can feel. Knowing and being in touch with nature seems to bring a certain calmness (at least it does for me) most of the time. We talked about connections, links, meeting people just when you most need to meet them. It all happens for a reason (that old, repetitive saying). I firmly believe this is true, you just have to be patient. As Daniel left, I grabbed one of my ripe avocados to give him, as my way of saying “thanks”. They are so expensive around these parts at the moment but it felt great to be able to give him one of the Auckland home-grown ones I still had. At the risk of repeating myself, I have to say this to the South Island people: you are amazing! I am humbled by the continued generosity of everyone I meet.

My smiles today:
Cool, generous people. Thanks to the South Island.
The ocean, for the food, the wildlife and being calm.
The amazing fresh food. Thanks.
Pohara Camping-Ground, you guys totally rock! (www.poharabeach.com)
Everybody knows everybody, crazy and cool vibes.
The rainbow!

My thoughts today:
The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain!

Now it’s the end of a very positive day, one that started with wind and rain, then cleared to be magic and beautiful.

Goodnight from Red. Ma te Wa.

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Magical Rainbows.

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Archways are for paddling through.

BLOG 244...Winter Sunday

Rain falling on and off for most of the night. I was tired and so I went to bed early last night, which was a mistake as I woke up at midnight. Then I was awake on and off, just listening to the changing weather and the ocean. Eventually I gave up, got up and read, and then after a while, curled up and went back to sleep.

As usual, I was up before the birds, waiting for a small break in the rain and also for a low tide to go for my morning walk. Today, it was a “no go” so far as any type of paddling was concerned. I was able to walk myself along this long beach at low tide, collecting large cockles off the beach (due to the rather stormy night) and annoying my feathered friends as I went. As you might imagine, my feathered friends cussed at me in bird chatter today as I got a fantastic yield of cockles for my dinner. I think I was the only one on the beach this morning. Well, at least the only one walking in the shallows at low tide!

It was wet feet, wet face and wet body. The rain and wind were intense, and on and off all the time I was on the beach. I walked until the tide turned, then I turned and headed back to the furthest point in the other direction. I was determined to be outside in the fresh air for as long as possible, even though this was really a day for being inside and not doing a lot. Perhaps a day for reading a book, knitting or having cups of coffee with friends. The walks I wanted to do were all very exposed or close to rivers, which is not that wise when bad rain is forecast, but I wanted to keep this caged tiger as busy as possible!!

What did I do instead? Some cleaning (not a lot of time needed to do this when you live in a camper-van!!), chatted to a few other campers and a couple of people back up north, tried to repair Cuzzie’s wiper blade (!) and then, needed to go grab some fresh produce. My fridge is bare, no greens at all, so I sped off to Takaka supermarket for a basket of fresh greens and a stop at a roadside stall for some eggs. Then a quick detour to look at a walk called The Labyrinth (Scotts Road). It's a cute little walk that consists of a maze-like pathway through limestone rock formations for which they have crazy names. I struggled to see what they saw in each rock. Then there’s the smurfs and plastic toys along the way, hidden in the nooks and crannies and on the rock ledges. Today it was rather wet but, away from the wind. I can see why some could get lost for a while in this maze.

At last I got back to the start, then to Cuzzie and headed back along the well-driven road to the campsite. Wet, windy and generally an inside afternoon. One on which to write emails, read my book and then, race onto the beach (whatever the weather was) for another walk before dark. I do wish I was blessed with the ‘sit still and read’ kind of mentality and body. Anyway, Sunday in my world has felt a little weird. I dared to get my hopes up a little, trying to look for a bright light for paddling up the coast, but I reckon I have more chance of nailing a couple of great walks before Mother Nature lets me back onto the water anytime soon.

At present, I keep hearing a voice in my head, reminding me of the time before I left home, when someone asked me what I would do if the weather was bad. Ever the optimist, I chimed back: “Just wait”. Oh, Mother Nature, you are truly making me eat those words over and over and over again!!

My smiles today:
Wrapped up warm and gathering cockles from the beach.
Rain jackets that keep me warm and dry.
At least I’m in Cuzzie and not in my tent. How bad would that be?
Still no leaks in Cuzzie. (Jase you may just have solved the matter!)

My thoughts today:
REMEMBER: not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

Enjoy your wintry Sunday. Goodnight from Red. Ma te Wa.

The Labyrinth walk.

BLOG 243...The Locals on This Coastline

On the water to have a quick paddle before the wind and the rain arrives in my part of New Zealand. I put Louise on wheels today as the tide was way out. Thanks Jase, the non-slip matting you placed there has improved. Or was it just that, the last time we used the wheels, we pushed the little trolley over its limits? Anyway, it was easier than previous times. I launched and skimmed out on the still, dark water, aiming for Motu Island to see the shags and whatever else was out and about at this hour of the morning. A fishing boat was heading way out and another, smaller craft went heading out as I crossed the mouth of this small harbour. The sea was again calm, with a baby swell to help me cruise along. It was a little cold but, once I got paddling, it was fine. Good to be on the water and nice to be looking and gazing out. The shags were there in large numbers, also a couple of Paradise Ducks out on the island. I stopped and took pictures, then stopped again, foraging for mussels for my dinner tonight (well, maybe lunch and dinner). It’s been weeks since I had fresh seafood. The timing was perfect as the tide was at its lowest, so my deck-bag was half-filled and then, I cruised back and around the bays at the edge of the harbour and back onto the beach.

I unloaded my mussels and then pulled Louise out onto the water again to have a quick, refreshing roll or two! Today, the locals really did think I was nuts. “Why on earth would anyone actually want to get wet?” was the direct question put to me to me as I walked up the beach, towing Louise behind me. My reply was “It wakes me up!”. Although I added that I do actually have one person I’m directly blaming for this!

The next little while I spent eating breakfast and putting Louise back on top of Cuzzie, then we were off to Takaka. No market today, unfortunately, but a nice place in which to wander and to look in the shops and stores. I met some lovely people and will be calling in again to have a Sunday coffee. Then it was time to head out to look at other bays and possible new sites from which to paddle. As I drove back towards the bays nearer Farewell Spit, the wind whistled and the whitecaps appeared, so maybe not the best location after all. But, while I was out that way, I headed to Wharariki and the beach track, where I was greeted in the car park by a large peacock. Not the normal native bird, but it was still rather gorgeous, and not scared of anyone or anything. This was his domain. I strolled off over the farmland, past the cattle, to the far beach where I was greeted by a rather strong wind, waves and massive sand dunes. Very spectacular and well worth the short 20 minute hike to see the beach and realise that there are good and rather bad places to land a kayak. I would probably have to say that there are way more bad places.

On the beach there were lots of oyster-catchers and today, they obliged by standing still enough for a couple of pictures. After being blown about and rained upon, I headed back to Cuzzie and then, actually hightailed it all the way back to Pohara Beach. It was calm in this bay. It was raining but still good for paddling. It was nice to be out for the day and great to see some different locations. Tomorrow? Well, let’s just wait and see.

My smiles today:
A text message to say Orcas have been sighted in Abel Tasman. Thanks Daniel.
Bird watching. Crazy, feathered creatures.
Foraging. Mussels for dinner and fritters tomorrow.
Takaka, this little place did not disappoint.
The crazy weather.
Ripened avocados from Hill St, Auckland. Wish I could eat them with Vogels.

My thoughts today:
You seriously have no idea what people are dealing with in their personal lives, so just be nice to them. It’s that simple!

Bye for now. Red. Ma te Wa.

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The Locals.

BLOG 242...Day of Sunshine

Another day and a new twelve-month period for me, so best I crack on with it. I rise, turn on the heater, read briefly, and text to say “hi” to some of the support crew!! No reason for them to have a lie in, not even when they’re away from me! Then I get dressed and head to walk my well-worn beach. It's low tide, a clear morning, and the moon is still high in the sky, even when the sunshine arrives. I suppose my morning walk is my waking routine. Like when I used to do pre-gym workouts (go walking and have a warm-up jog). A time just to think and set my goals for the day, to see if Mother Nature was happy or in another bad mood! As I walked, I actually chatted briefly to a good friend as she drove to work in the Auckland traffic. (Sheena - thanks for the reality of your world!) Here I am, on a beautiful beach, and there she is in another wonderful Auckland traffic jam, trying to get to work! She reminds me that, maybe, I have the better life at present. Thanks, buddy, I had sort of forgotten!!

Back to concentrating on my morning. The sun popped its head out over the large cliffs and as I turned to be greeted by its warmth I thought of a saying that keeps popping into my mind about turning towards the sun. Today, I stopped to enjoy the warmth, and held my pounamu for a moment. I felt blessed to be on this beach, seeing it through my own eyes and being able to enjoy it. I did think that this could quite easily become my morning ritual, like so many others who greet the sun each day. I do so love the sun and it is going to be a beautiful day in my little bay.

Beach walk done, breakfast eaten, coffee sculled, and Louise and I were off, out onto the water before high tide. I paddled and looked, then went paddling past large rocks and headed as far as I dared from Golden Bay, around every nook and cranny towards Separation Point. Then I stopped. No further will I now go until I’ve officially paddled from Farewell Spit to this point. Instead, I take a picture, make a mental note and then turn and retrace my tracks back towards Pohara Beach. As I get closer, I paddle around Motu Island a couple of times, looking at all the nesting shags and trying to get a good picture of them!! But it never looks as great on the camera screen as it does through my eyes (most probably due to my bad camera skills, if I’m to be completely honest). I arrive back at my beach to a beautiful end to a lovely day. I’m warm and dry. Tentatively, I dip my hands in the water but today, said “nope” to a roll. Tomorrow it will happen, that’s a promise!

Back on dry land, I grab re-heated coffee, my Whittaker’s chocolate bar and find a seat in the sun, looking out at the ocean and watching the sea move away from me. I listen to the small waves gently receding on the outgoing tide, and to the oyster-catchers chattering as they wander up and down the shore finding stray cockles and pipis. I like these crazy birds, maybe it’s their colouring (black, red and white!). I’m tempted to go looking for shellfish as well, but I resist. Instead, I sit, absorb what has happened during my day and say “wow”. I am so very lucky. It’s still as beautiful as it was this morning. Another wonderful day in a very lovely part of New Zealand. I’ll sit here on my big, wooden bench until the sun sets, watching others enjoying the evening. Then it’ll be time for dinner, my book, a chat with a few friends and then sleep.

My smiles today:
The warmth of the sun.
My dear friend in the Auckland traffic.
The chattering of oyster-catchers.

My thoughts today:
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. (Maori proverb).

Tomorrow is Saturday, which means another market day in Takaka. I’m excited. In the meantime, enjoy your evening and enjoy looking at the sun!

Goodnight from Red. Ma te Wa.

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Paddling in and around the islands.

Up close with the Shags.

DAY 241...Redz Birthday!

I have to say that, although my day started with rain, I had a wonderful “hum” in my mind. An inspiring message from my two very good friends (Janet Alexander and Chris Maund) who live in the USA was my initial smile. You guys rock! Thanks for every word you sent to me. Such a message from you two means so much. Big hugs. See you when this journey of mine is complete. “Happy Birthday” for tomorrow my friend Janet, you are one lady I’ll go shopping with when we meet up.

It would seem that all great plans have hiccups. At the back of my mind, today’s plan was to be paddling into Titahi Bay. Well, we can all laugh out loud about that!! (So much for day dreaming!) Here I am still in Cuzzie, still in the South Island and still waiting for a weather window. But there is no point in dwelling on things I cannot change. Instead, up I got, I drank my coffee and went walking on the beach with my camera, leaving my mobile phone behind in order to have some “me” time. Even though it was raining rather a lot, I kept on walking (but, I didn’t melt!). As I walked, I planned my day. It was my birthday, and many might be saying “I hope you rested” or “I hope you treated yourself to a huge cafe brekkie or lunch or maybe even dinner with a bunch of friends!!”. They may have hoped I wasn’t all on my own or wondered whether I had got lots of pressies. Might even have asked “Did you celebrate!?” or “Did you buy a new outfit to wear?” or “Did you have a massage?”.

Well, the truth of the matter is that it was actually none of the things that many others might wish for me. BUT, it was my day so this is what I did:
Firstly, I thought about why I was okay about me being solo on my birthday and secondly, whether I was still okay to attempt to kayak solo around this coastline.
I’m really okay about being solo on my birthday. In fact, in my opinion, it is certainly the only way to celebrate my birthday while on this journey! This is just another day in the life of Red, it just also happens to be my birthday. Now, you’d better sit down but, before doing so you’d better get yourself a drink, because you may need it after you’ve read the rest of the story of my long day!

I walked on the beach from 7.30am to 10.30am, until I could walk no further. As I walked, I wrote “Happy Birthday, Red” in the wet sand, the tide being on its way out. I was happy it was my birthday. I would have been happy to share the day with someone, but there was no-one else on the beach. But then, why would there have been, as it was raining really heavily. Having found I could go no further, I turned back, but not before trying to be a little more creative. I started writing the same message to myself in shells (well, it was an attempt at being creative!). As I stood there, taking a couple of pictures, two lovely ladies walked up. They smiled when I told them what I was doing. They had seen the other sand inscriptions further along the beach but thought it was for a local who, by strange coincidence, had also been called Red, but who had died recently! Anyway, if indeed it would have been his birthday today, I looked up into the sky and wished him all the best. I stayed and talked for a short while with the two women, then we went our separate ways. Before they left, they suggested another walk I could try, so now, it’s on my list for today as well. As I walked back, the tide had turned and was now nearly full so, there were sections of the beach where I was ankle, and then knee deep, but I didn’t care because it actually made it way more fun.

Eventually I got back, soaked through. I changed, then sculled a couple of cups of hot coffee, answered some text messages, and then threw all my gear into Cuzzie, unhooked the power and headed off again. This time to go tramping and see some waterfalls. By this time, the rain had nearly stopped, so I thought the falls would look amazing, and being in the bush next to overflowing creeks and rivers would make me feel extremely happy. It was off to Wainui Falls, Pohara. Just a short 40-minute return walk. On the way, there were a couple of small fords to cross but nothing that my crocs couldn’t cope with. I was perhaps a little concerned when I saw a couple ahead of me wearing day packs and hiking boots but I thought that, as I had managed to hike with only one shoe on for twelve kilometers along the Heaphy Track, then a mere 40-minute walk would be fine. As I hiked, I saw a small, wild goat in the native bush on the other side of the river. It didn’t seem to care at all about me but just carried on eating. The fantails fluttered back and forth as I walked along. They are always so pretty and so friendly to have about.

The walk was very beautiful indeed and I was happy, even in the light rainfall. As I got closer to the falls, the sound was incredible, there being so much water heaving itself over. As I got closer, I got soaking wet just standing there, admiring. It was hard work trying to keep my camera lenses dry while attempting to take some pictures. But, thanks to Sony, the camera is totally waterproof. As I turned to go back, there were a couple of things I still needed to do to make this day even more fun, so I ran! I had decided that the best thing about bush tracks is running on them, so much better than on the road and so much more fun. I had half-wanted to put on my running shoes but, as I wasn’t sure the track would enable me to run, I hadn’t bothered. I ran in my crocs (!!) and, actually that was okay. I may have got a little hot as I was wearing my rain jacket, but it surely was fun. When I run downhill, I always feel way fitter and faster. I can almost hear you all going “Holy heck, why on earth?”, but I say “why not?”. I like trail running. As I was running down the track, do you know what really made me laugh? Someone’s underpants were hanging in a tree!! I couldn’t help wondering whose they were and why and how they had got there? Obviously, I don’t have the answer, I just left them, blowing in the breeze.

By now, it was mid-afternoon and I really had to hoof it in Cuzzie to get to my next location. Pupu Hydro Track, near the Pupu Springs, and the 1hr 50min trek that the lovely ladies on the beach had told me about. Past Takaka and I was whizzing along. It was 3.30pm by the time I pulled on my running shoes and my small backpack, taking my rain jacket and a couple of chocolate bars, just in case (and my tracker! You never know when something might happen and with no cellphone coverage). I had planned for this to be a fast trek as I wanted to be back at the camper-van before it started to get dark, so I jogged or rather, ran. This is one beautiful walk, everyone should do it. There was water running along by the footpaths and the board walks. I saw incredible moss and lichen and tall trees that look like they’d come out of Dr Seuss, massive palms, as I zigzagged upwards.

My happy middle part of my day, a rainbow appeared as I got to the top of this track. Then, I was so pleased to be running freely on the downhill section. It felt great to be out in the trees and the bush and on these tracks, enjoying myself. Fifty-five minutes later, I was back in Cuzzie. Phew! But that was actually fun. A quick chocolate bar and some cold coffee. I was one happy birthday girl! Driving back along the wet, muddy roads through Takaka, which is a little town I want to come back to and have a wander around because I like the feel of the place a lot. But no time tonight, because I wanted to get out and onto the beach for a birthday sunset and a walk to finish this near perfect day. Out to the water’s edge at very low tide. I did just that and it made my day absolutely, totally complete. I stood there for a while, with the water lapping my bare feet and ankles, turning around in slow circles, and just taking in what has been an incredible day in this beautiful part of New Zealand. A 54th birthday I will never, ever forget - not even when I’m a little old lady with a zimmer frame, trying to find a treadmill on which to run!!!!

My day ended with a beautiful sunset and a great message from the girlfriend with whom I traveled with on my initial OE, way back when I was eighteen. It’s her birthday today, as well. “Happy Birthday” to Maree Wheeler. Now, I’m sitting in Cuzzie, enjoying the feeling of the day, enjoying life and, in a way, understanding why I’m still waiting on a weather window. Perhaps you’ll be wondering about the answer to the second question I asked myself - whether I’m still okay to attempt to kayak solo around this coastline. Despite all the trials and tribulations, despite all the shit that Mother Nature has thrown (and is still throwing) at me, I have not the slightest doubt. In the meantime, here at the top of the South Island, there is still lots more for me to see and do, so bring on tomorrow!! Louise and I are hoping to get on the water for a gentle paddle around some more islands and bays!! Let’s just wait and see what happens.

My smiles today:
Actually, everything about today has made me smile.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

My thoughts today:
There have been so many today. Some so crazy, some wacky, some that I am totally unable to share. But what seemed most important, very simply, was my "me" time. Nothing and no-one will ever take that away.

Goodnight from one very tired but extremely happy Red (now officially 54). Ma te Wa.

P.S.: Thanks to everyone who called or sent a message on my birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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My Rainbow.

DAY 240...Inspiration From Others

It rained last night and, yippee, no roof leaks from Cuzzie. At present, with the help of Jase, we seem to have fixed that tiresome matter. I’m in my fabulous rain jacket that is so warm and toastie, with total protection against the wind and the rain. Before hitting the beach, I had a cup of coffee and a warm pot awaits my return. I walk until I can go no further, then turn into the wind and the rain. Each time I walk this beach, it seems that I discover something new and even a little bit quirkier. Today as the morning awoke, there was a huge, black boat buoy on the beach. Even more weird was the fact that it had gone by the time I passed by on my return. Someone must have nabbed it!!

As the day got lighter, I found another driftwood stack in the making. In fact, I very nearly walked right into it! I’m intrigued. Who starts them and then, who adds to them? Is it just anyone who happens to walk by? Or is it done only by the locals? I never actually see anyone building them, so now I’m even more intrigued. Then I discover a staircase up from the beach that has again been crafted from driftwood. All the bits and pieces that have been washed up on the shore have been created into a kind of crazy person standing at the top of the handrail, with eyes made from milk bottle tops, and earrings from fishing lures. The more I look, the more I smile. Wow! There are some really clever and creative people out there! Art created from other people’s junk! Way better than anything I could ever conceive (see the pics below)!

The weather has been as predicted (YUK!). At the end of my really long walk, I had to do some sprints along the beach. I like to feel the sand under my feet. I like to feel my heart racing and having to suck the oxygen deep into my lungs. It’s a great feeling and I have to say “thanks” to my physio for the brilliant twist to these sprint exercises. I’m getting ready for the marathon in February with Rob and Margaret-Ann. It’s a welcome thought to be looking ahead at new challenges, and it's somewhat refreshing. Though it doesn’t mean that I’m bored or not thinking about paddling but rather, it’s yet another thing to occupy my mind. Goal-setting, or something like that! Much in the same way as I keep thinking about Godzone in 2017!! Nuts, I know, but at least you can never say that I’m boring!! I chuckle to myself often, thinking of the rest-home I shall probably end up in!! I hope they’ll have a treadmill for oldies on zimmer-frames!! By that stage, I shall certainly need one.

Time to re-focus on my day. I have to be back over the Takaka Hills as I’m off to chat to a group from the Whenua iti Outdoors (Journey of Discovery; www.whenuaiti.org.nz). Now as Cuzzie and I drive towards the campus, I see a double rainbow through the mist, over Riwaka Resurgance. This is really special! I’m also feeling so motivated, being about to talk to others. Especially those who are just starting out in the working world; people looking for exciting careers about which they’re passionate; people feeling great about the outdoors and what it can provide both mentally and physically, and knowing the importance of being immersed in a fun environment.

I certainly wasn’t disappointed. The group was way cool and I managed to have a short Power-Point presentation ready for them (Nat you would have been so proud!). I just talked about my journey, and I think they found it interesting. Afterwards, they asked lots of questions! Please do keep in touch, all of you! I found you incredibly inspiring to be around and, as always, I’m humbled to be invited to help and to try to inspire you all. I find it amazing that you were all willing to sit and listen to this crazy lady and her ongoing adventures. Thanks. It was lovely to see you all smile, to see you laugh and just to be able to share with you. (Damn, I forgot to get a selfie with the group!) Dougal, thanks so much for the invite! If you ever you need me to come back again or join in on a course, I would totally love to return. A big “thanks” for the crispy, dried apple pieces (they rock!). Also the red wine for Red (that will be saved till the end of the journey).

Then it was in and around Motueka. I also have to say that everyone in each and every store I went into was so happy, friendly and a joy to chat with. I still needed a couple of things, so I had a quick peek into the Salvation Army shop and the Hospice shop, and grabbed a couple of cheap things for storage. Then it was back on the road to drive the hill before sunset. I’m in Golden Bay tonight, looking at going on a massive hike tomorrow to look and absorb, and hopefully, to stay as dry as possible! Dinner is on and I have “Songs of Waitaha” to read. It’s a beautiful book for which I have Ev to thank for the recommendation.

My smiles today:
The crazy stairway on the beach.
The double rainbow over the mist. Riwaka you are truly special!
Talking with younger people. The youth are the ones who will achieve way more than me one day, just wait and see.
The lovely people of Motueka, so open and friendly.
My “Eat, Sleep, Paddle, Repeat” on the T-shirt (it’s fast becoming everyone’s favourite mantra, thanks Andy!).

My thoughts today:
"Inspiring Individuals and Communities through Outdoor Experiences" - Thanks to Whenua iti Outdoors.

Until tomorrow, from a warm and comfy Cuzzie. It’s goodnight from Red. Ma Te Wa.

Art from junk and driftwood.

My driftwood shack.

DAY 239...Shortest Day of the Year!

If it was to be the shortest day of the year (mid-winter) it truly tried to oblige; rain, mist, low-lying cloud cover, and wind. Even Golden Bay was lacking in sunshine today. It was a tough morning. I woke early with great intentions of getting up, then I heard the rain and now, I feel a headache that’s getting worse with every passing moment. Or is it that I want to blame almost anything for not getting up and on with my day? Bang! I turn on the light and get up to take a couple of pain killers. Part of me wants them not to work so I would have an excuse to stay in bed! But that would never sit well in my subconscious!! “What’s that? You didn’t train because of a measly headache? What kind of lame excuse is that?” For those who know me well, you’ll understand that, in my world, this would never wash. How could I possibly use that as an excuse?

Eventually, I get up and out onto the beach. Firstly, I go for an hour’s walk, waiting for the sun to wake up and telling myself that I don’t need to paddle today. Perhaps I’ll just have a day off!! Instead, I decided to go for a short hike to The Grove, only about thirty minutes walk from the camping ground. With my rain jacket on, I accomplish this little bush walk that’s very pretty, even in the rain. Then I wander back towards the campsite and Cuzzie, stopping to look at the many fruit trees that are laden with produce, without anyone seeming to want to pick the fruit. For me it’s a real a shame to see great food being wasted; why not use the produce?

It was going to be my day, just sitting in Cuzzie, reading a book. But, no, that’s not ever the way it goes. On the way back, eventually I convinced myself to get out on the water for a small paddle. As always, it works and once I am dressed and actually on the beach, I launch and head off towards the islands, past the small port. The hills around this bay did a great job today, protecting me from the winds further out. As I’ve mentioned many times, I actually like paddling in the rain. At least, if the seas are calm enough! Around the islands and the bays, there are numerous small caves, so there’s plenty to look at. I do lots of meandering in, around and up close with the rocks, the islands, and the bird life. The shags are nesting on the cliff faces and many have small chicks that they’re feeding. I enjoyed a couple of gaps I paddled through so much, that I went around to repeat them a couple of times. I’m enjoying my time on the water and all together, I spent three hours paddling some 21 kms. It took a big butt kick to get me up and out this morning but, I’m pleased to have got Tuesday done and dusted. I even did my rolls in the calm of the Bay as I ended my paddle today. Perhaps not the best-looking ones this week but, at least they worked. I challenge most of you to convince yourself to finish your paddle day upside-down in the colder waters of the South Island! Frankly, I know only a handful of people who would actually be willing to join me in this crazy game.

I dragged Louise back to Cuzzie. No need to rinse my kayak down, as the rain was falling really heavily. But my headache hasn’t returned so it didn’t win the mind game this morning! A hot shower, an early dinner, and also a huge pat on the back! Tomorrow I’m going to be up early and nailing the day. In my crazy mind, the days are now officially getting longer and this can only mean one thing...summer is coming!! I grin at this silly, stupid thought. I know in reality that there are still months of cold and rain yet to come, but the power of being positive may just work.

My smiles today:
Mind games. We know them all too well.
Rain on the water.
Another day of paddling in circles.
A silent, solo day.

My thoughts today:
Winter never lasts forever. The days can only get longer and brighter from here on.

From me, Red. Ma te Wa.

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Grey Misty Morning.

DAY 238...New Friends

It was hard to sleep last night. I woke up about 1.30am and thought about just getting up then and there and reading until daylight! I decided against that idea, and lay drifting in and out of sleep, listening to the rain as it fell lightly onto Cuzzie’s roof. When the birds started singing, I eventually got up, well before sunrise. It was nice just sitting and drinking coffee. I read the news on my laptop. Not much seems to have changed really, nor even improved. It seems rather sad and I didn’t miss hearing or seeing the news while I was in Fiordland. In fact, it was blissfully nice not having to listen to it.

Back to my morning. It’s a Monday and I’ve had two days off the water, without any practice paddles so, today paddling is a must. The mood I’m in is making it harder to get out and about and on with my day. But I do actually get to the water and onto it by 7.30am. There’s not a soul in the car park and there’s absolutely no-one else on the water. It’s all mine and mine alone! I’ve got on my warm gear (really warm gear, as it was heated by blow heater in the camper-van first, a real luxury, definitely to be recommended). I’m out and on the water quickly, so as not to find any excuse not to be! To be honest, it was no hardship to launch into another calm Nelson morning. I aim for the buoys and then out to the furthest marker I can see. This took just on an hour, then it was back towards the port entrance. To my delight, there are some large seals resting on the rocks. They seem happy to have their pictures taken. Round the island, back out to my marker and, then in towards the beach. Now it’s time to do the cold water torture of my “must do” rolls. No wonder the seals weren’t in the water, it was cool; real cool! The first couple of rolls were okay, but I get cold quickly and I’m relieved to have achieved them. Although there’s always someone on the beach, giving me a look that says “why on earth are you purposely getting wet?”, but they never actually ask and I don’t bother to explain.

Afterwards, I’m blessed to have Cuzzie in which to get changed, with the heater on full blast. Dressed in warm, dry clothes again, I load Louise back on top, grab some homemade sausages from downtown Nelson, and then drive past my favourite café. Today, even though I’m tempted, I don’t stop because I need to leave, to get some different, new scenery into my brain. Back towards Motueka we go, then up and over, aiming for the Flora car park at the base of Mount Arthur. With only 12kms to go we are forced to stop due to the steepness of the road which, unfortunately, is contraindicated for camper-van access! Perhaps some other day, perhaps some other time, for this particular walk. In the meantime, I have to go visiting, as well as say “hi” to some people in Ngatimoti. Frankly, meeting and chatting is just exactly what’s needed, apart from the fact that they have the most gorgeous in-season produce at their farm gate! I’m lucky enough to have a large glass of sweet, freshly-pressed apple juice while I sit and chat and listen.

All too soon it’s time to make my way over the Takaka Hills before dark. With Cuzzie leading the way, we climb up into the mist and clouds before whirling down the roads into the valley below, heading back to Golden Bay and the campsite in which I stayed last week. Easy paddling, lots of small walks and some time to myself. Perhaps to do some reading once the storms arrive. I have fresh produce for dinner and a warm, dry camper-van in which to rest up, so I’m feeling somewhat happier now. Tomorrow is another early start and my motto echoes the T-shirt I’m going to look at each day: EAT, SLEEP, PADDLE, REPEAT (thanks Star Kayaks) it has become my training regime mantra.

My smiles today:
Seals, beautiful creatures.
Driving over the Takaka Hills in cloud cover.
Fresh, seasonal home-grown produce. Nothing but the best!
Fresh apple juice, like nothing else many of us have ever tasted.
Eskimo rolling. I sit and talk myself into these daily at the end of my paddle!! I know. Harden up!
A training plan. It works and I smile when it has been completed.

My thoughts today:
It hurts but that’s all it does.
The most difficult part of the training is training your mind.
You form calluses (painful, thickened areas of skin) on your hands and feet in order to be able to endure the ocean and the roads you have to travel.
You form calluses in your mind as well, in order to endure the pain.
And there’s only one way to do that. You have to get out there and train.

Until tomorrow. Goodnight from Red. Ma te Wa.

My new found friends in Nelson.

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Fresh Produce, the only way to buy.

DAY 237...Red as a Support Crew

When someone you know is running a marathon, you have to go along and support them, and I know full well what it feels like to see your team along the way giving you a smile when you’re the athlete. Today, it was all about someone else, with me as one of the three cheering crew. The birds were awake early and so were we. Up in the dark this Sunday morning to get wrapped up warm. The support crew stopped, firstly, to fill up with hot drinks then, to gasp at the beauty of the sunrise (red sky in the morning, the shepherd’s warning). 

We headed to the earlybirds’ starting line up where only the tough ones were actually lining up, the rest were waiting for a much more sociable starting time of 9am. But not Rob! As mentioned yesterday, he’s running one marathon a month for the next year. Hold that thought! If you have run just one marathon, you’ll know what it feels like afterwards, but if you want to put yourself through this pain each month for twelve months, you’re in a totally different league! You are inspired to get out of bed in the morning for a thirty minute walk. If this example doesn’t help you to picture the situation, I have even more great stories!

As the tough, early birds lined up, another wiry gentleman passed by me. There’s an incredible story about him. Believe it or not, it’s his 539th marathon today in Nelson (22,639kms in total, and that doesn’t include the training sessions!!). Dressed and running in fluro with matching swimming trunks, he makes us all look like couch potatoes. I just had to have my picture taken with such a legend. Michael Stewart you are an utterly incredible and inspiring man! How lazy did that make me feel, and it wasn’t even 8am yet!! The start siren sounded and they were off. Into the early morning mist, just after sunrise. The race was underway and, this time, I was just a supporter. Now this is a very different situation, so we grabbed a quick coffee in Cuzzie, then made sure we waved and cheered as the runners, including Rob, passed us by.

Then we headed to the next checkpoint for more cheering and sight-seeing as we drove along. Believe me, it’s far less painful in the back seat of the car than on foot, pounding the pavements. We cheered as we watched lots of them pass and the time simply flew by. Checkpoint 3 came soon enough. This was a surprise for Rob, as there was an unplanned “hi” from us all. Then he was nearing the finish. We stood and watched the winner race across the line. He made it look like it was all far too easy. He still had a bounce in his step. He even went running back up and round the ropes once he had crossed the finish line as his watch said he was a hundred metres short of the required 42kms. He thinks he must have missed an arrow out the back of the course (the directions were a little hard to follow from most accounts!). Anyhow, Rob crossed the finish line in just over four hours, even though he had a sore hamstring for the entire race. Go Rob!

Now, I haven’t run a marathon in years but, today, Rob inspired me to think about a “maybe”, just “maybe” once I’m home and dry, I could possibly, just possibly, join in on the last marathon of his challenge in February 2017. Somewhere, somehow, this crazy redhead is going to run again, Rob! I may be well behind you, but I think I will run to celebrate with you! That’s a promise! (Gosh, I hope that’s not going to be The Great Wall of China Marathon!) Keep me posted, Rob and Margaret Ann.

We all rested and chatted before hugging “goodbye” as it was lunchtime. Way too many coffees for Jase and, in any case, we were all hungry. Off to lunch in Cuzzie, we grabbed some hot food from Di Vine, a great little place in Nelson. Then we had a chat before I raced to the library and found some great books to read and in which to discover more local legends. We bumped into Reg and Angela at the library and they have helped me out yet again. This time by letting me borrow my library books on their cards, thanks to both of you.

Back to get things sorted in Cuzzie. We grabbed some stuff for Jase to take back to Auckland, then headed to a very crowded Nelson Airport. My Support Crew has gone yet again and I’m back in the campground, preparing for a week of training in and around this wonderful, calm coastline. Paddling, for sure, but also running in and around some of the tracks and beaches, not to mention research and reading while the winter storms keep me in this wonderful location. Thanks Mother Nature but, please, please, let me be home for Xmas.

My smiles today:
The birds singing before sunrise.
The inspirational marathon runners. How many marathons can we say we have run?
My new books are not only inspirational but also very beautiful.
Mother Nature. Now, I thank you for helping me in my Odyssey.
Seeing kingfishers on Rabbit Island. Beautiful birds.
Altogether, an incredible and wonderful weekend.

My thoughts today:
If only our eyes saw souls instead of bodies, how very different our ideals of beauty would be.

Bye for now!

Sunrise in Redz world.

Run, Rob Stewart, Run!

The man to inspire you ALL. Micheal Stewart. His 539th marathon today.