Surely

Day 86, Feb 21 2010
I woke with swollen eyes and sand stuck to my cheeks, not that it had disrupted my sleep. I’d woken only once and that was just before midnight with the sound of sand rasping against the tent still audible to my ears despite the sand that filled them.

Not a pretty sight.

The 5:33am marine weather report suggested north-west winds (again!), of 20 knots. At least by my reckoning that was 5-10 knots less than yesterday and if I got going early I could knock off most of the remaining 18km before it struck. Surely?
Sunrise was now at least an hour later than when I’d first begun the trip. This meant that when I arose at 6:45am, after a few stretches for the lower back that was providing me with some lingering discomfort, I was able to watch the sun rise above the hills bringing its warmth to the chill air.

The Sun was rising later now.

I was able to return to its rightful place most of the sand dune that had taken up residence in my tent over the course of the previous afternoon. A lack of dew ensured that it was less reluctant than it might otherwise have been.
Right on 9:00am, I began in earnest. There was no capsize this morning. It looked possible at one stage when a wave could not make up its mind whether to break before or after me, deciding instead toi hedge its bets and break directly on top of me.
I have learnt from a previous experience to hold the paddle parallel with the kayak to help it ‘pierce’ the wave. This is far preferable to bracing it out in front of the body, perpendicular to the kayak, and then having the force of the wave push it as far back as the bridge of one’s nose. A painful experience even if in some way effective.
I was determined to try to get at least two good hours of paddling in which I calculated would have me within striking distance of my goal. My pace therefore was solid and I felt a sense of relief as each hour passed knowing that I was that much closer. I watched for any telltale signs of the forecast breeze on the water, feeling that it would only be a mater of time before it arrived. At 10:15am I noted 10km to go as I noted a suggestion of a breeze . Just before 11:00am I saw the airport’s control tower telling myself there was no way I was not going to make it today. My confidence had begun to grow markedly with the strength of the breeze not threatening and just 5km now to travel.
I noted literally scores of tents and cars on the beach leading towards Wanganui and wondered whether the area was a designated free camping area. It was a Sunday I noted to myself and with a clear sky maybe everyone was taking advantage of the good conditions. I learnt later however that it was part of a huge fishing contest with NZ$40,000 in prize money up for grabs and that it had attracted over 800 contestants. The windy conditions meant that not one Flounder was caught, which was the aim, and the prizes had to be awarded for alternative categories!
It was a welcome change however for me to see so many people after the past few days and it was not soon after that I had the breakwater that marked the entrance to the river on which Wanganui was located clearly in my sights.
Five minutes before midday I paddled into its mouth and about 200 metres upstream before asking a fisherman for directions to the Castlecliff Campground that was advertised as being “on the beach”. My instructions were to paddle back out the river and onto the beach beside it using the surf club as my marker. The campground was up the road that led directly to the club house. I thanked him whilst learning that his only luck that morning had been in catching a couple of sharks. I learnt that they were only “small ones”, after seeking clarification.
Turning back towards the entrance from where I’d come I began to think about the surf club thinking to myself that there was a very good chance of it being attended to on a sunny Sunday. The club house stood out proudly and once I’d secured the camera (I do learn), I began my approach through some messy surf conditions. My new found ‘skills’ stood the test and I arrived right-side-up.
It was 12:20pm and the local rescue boat was just that moment being wheeled out of the club house. I made my way up the beach, quickly introduced myself and sought the charity of the club regarding the storage of my craft.
I was introduced to Phil, a former Club Captain (1973/4) and senior figure for the current batch of patrolling lifeguards. The offer of a mattress was immediately forthcoming and it was with scarcely concealed glee that I accepted another wonderful offer from the life-saving fraternity of New Zealand.
Glen, a patrolling lifeguard was soon helping me up the beach with my kayak, identifying a home for it in a spacious workroom, and thereafter pointing out which hot showers had the best pressure, where to find the toilets, kitchen… before offering me a cup of tea. What do you say when you are just bowled over by such generous people and fortunate circumstance without appearing insincere. I hope they understand my appreciation.