Hey all, I’ve found me a computer so I thought I’d give you all another update from here in Waipu.

So my last update was from Tokerau Beach in the beautiful Doubtless Bay. I left Tokerau on Saturday the 18th and headed towards Matauri Bay. For the next few days I was to be paddling down a simply amazing stretch of coastline and my biggest regret was the fact that I couldn’t stop to enjoy it all. I was passing bay after golden bay. Half of them had absolutely no inhabitation and if you imagined a couple of coconut palms lazily waving in the breeze you could have sworn that you were looking at tropical beaches. It was a sweet paddle and I’m now determined to get back up these ways for a decent explore. I was also extremely jealous of the boats that were heading out to try and catch a marlin for the start of nationals week…congratulations to anyone who did.
  At Matauri Bay I was fortunate to meet up with a group of Auckland sea kayakers who were having their own weekend adventure. A massive thanks to the whole group for making me feel so welcome and giving me a much needed “kayakers fix”.

Sunday the 19th I had a bit of a later start as I had a relatively short run of 40km down to Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands. A huge thanks to Uncle Ross for making the effort to catch up with me before I headed off in the morning.
  Rounding Cape Wikiwiki and heading into ‘the bay’, I was greeted with oily calm conditions and one of the most tranquil sights I have ever seen. There was a seemingly endless series of bush covered islands studded down the southern side of the bay and I could easily see why everyone loves it up here. Everywhere I looked there were yachts, launches, fishing boats, and even a cruise ship parked right up the end near Russel. It seemed as though no-one was in a great hurry, and I couldn’t help but feel a little bit jealous knowing that they probably all had an ice cold drink of some sort in hand (its was blistering hot). As I approached Urupukapuka Island, I slowed down to enjoy life a bit more and decided that the best way was to have my feet up and paddle in the ‘lazy-boy’ style. I’ll never forget what that day was like as I puttered along in the sunshine. My campsite was equally amazing as I had an entire bay to myself and spent the rest of the avo swimming and reading in the sun…not a bad life really.     

Monday the 20th I did have to move on sadly. I paddled out to Cape Brett and through the Hole in the Rock which was pretty awesome. From then on I kept a decent way offshore as the coastline became rockier and the reflection of the swell was annoying to paddle through. Around lunch time, I headed inland and went in search of Teal Bay where I was due to meet family. Annoyingly, Teal Bay isn’t on any map or chart so it took awhile to find. It got to the point where I was so frustrated that I told myself “if it isn’t the next bay, I’m carrying on!” Luckily it was and the family was all there waiting. It was a bit emotional for me cause I haven’t been to Teal Bay since I was a young fulla and the last time I was there my uncle Con was still alive…I can still remember him sitting in his shed, wine in hand, watching Spongebob. A big thanks Bett and the rest of the family for making the trek out and sorting me out an awesome feed…even if the hot cross buns were burnt haha.
  After lunch I had a pretty short run down the coast to Otamure Bay. I had a DOC campsite marked on my charts and expected the normal patch of grass with a longdrop tucked into the bush. Well apparently this camp is the exception to the rule because I have seen commercial campgrounds that are smaller and crappier. The camp host told me that during peak season they can have up to 700 people per night! So yeh it was big, but still very beautiful so props to DOC for providing such an awesome facility.

Tuesday the 21st was my final day of this leg but definitely the biggest. It was around 65km and by the end of it I was pretty shagged. I can’t tell you much about this day because I simply don’t remember it…on these long days I get tunnel vision and hours can go by when I look at and think only about reaching a spot in the distance. By lunch time I was just short of Bream Head and it was about 3.30 when I finally pulled into the Waipu River. Here I met my Sharkskins sponsor Tim Curran who happens to own a batch near the river. A massive thanks to Tim and his partner for letting me stay for a couple of days, and to Sharkskins for all of their support during my trip (including an awesome feed that night haha).

Wednesday the 22nd was my official rest day and also the anniversary of the 2nd Christchurch earthquake. Watching the news I was saddened to see all of the footage of that awful day because I missed it all while I was stuck in Fiordland last year. I still remember that phone call from Dad. Just when I thought life was hard, dealing with swarms of sandflys and my own low moral, something like that happens to remind you that your own problems aren’t so big. It was hard having to get on the VHF and let the other boats in the area know about it, and knowing we could do nothing to help. Such a huge day for the people of Christchurch (and NZ) and I was almost brought to tears today as think about all of the great memories that I have from my own time living in the garden city. All I can really say is that NZ is right behind the people of Christchurch and I know from experience that the “one eyed Cantabrian” will get through it with their usual determination and probably still thrash us all in rugby while this is going on.

Wells that’s all from me for now. Hopefully the next and final update will be from my home in Tauranga as I now only have 6 days of paddling to go. Once again thanks for all of your support so far and I’ll look forward to getting home and getting some photos uploaded for you (I don’t have the greatest connection here to do that).

Paddle Hard Everyone. Tim.