Bloody Monday!!!
Now - Why wasn't it like this in the Weekend????
Wouldn't you know it! the wind dropped off after we finished.
Here is Island Bay in its early morning glory with its' iconic fishing boats at anchor.
Paul Hayward of 'Coast Busters' fame was down in Wellington, New Zealands Capital City. He was here for an IT conference, but brought his kayak, hoping to get out on the water.
Wellingtons weather has been boisterous this spring and the weekend was a shocker with howling NW winds and grey - rainy skies and no chance of getting on the water.
Being a proverbial optimist, Paul stayed over for one more Wellington night, ending up at the Pirates lair in a desperate attempt to get some Capital water under his kayak. The winds continued to howl all through Sunday night as the Pirate gave Paul the 'never ending 365 photos slide show' treatment of his SSTIKS 05 adventures complete with a lecture about bears and what Kiwi travellers shouldn't really ought to be doing in bear country.
Then not with exactly true Southern Man hospitality, Paul was offered a prime place on the Pirates living room floor for the night. Cruel, unusual punishment and perhaps harsh treatment to be offering such an esteemed guest? But Paul, the consumate kayaker actually didn't seem to mind. Even if Paul didn't like his 'bed' for the night, he never got much of a chance either way, because it was lights out after 11pm and then the pirate was up at 05:45 hrs checking the weather and slinging the nearest kayak onto his car.
The dawning days paddle was not looking good with the fronds of the pirates weather indicating tree, a large date palm, thrashing in a stiff early morning 'breeze'. This is a bad sign because Pirates house is sheltered from 'Northerlies'. But at least it wasn't raining ... and there was a chance of a 'bit of a lee' at Island Bay. So a quick cup of tea and we were off to Island Bay, launching at 06:30 hours.
Paul shows a bit of leg and true grit to be this close to water at such an 'uncivil' hour.
Note the primitive man shadow cast by Paul
no comment on the Fat Pete in a tuilik shadow ...
But Paul looked happy enough to be on the 'promised' [you a paddle on the] water
What a way to start the day - a paddle inspection of Island Bay Realestate
(but what about global warming and rising sealevels??)
The lighthouse is actually a quaint bed and breakfast - better suited to romantic couples but not much use for navigation
There was a bit of a wind chop out the 'back' of the island which made for some great surfing bursts on the run down to Houton Bay.
Paul, the trusing soul, followed the Pirate into his 'secret cove'. It takes a bit of faith to push through the surf line and into the cove ... because if the cove wasn't there .... well you would be finding yourself in between rocks and a hard place trouble.
Paul made it through the early morning choppy seas, the pirates cove and made his way past the iconic fishing boats and back to the harsh reality of Monday morning work .............
But why oh why wasn't it like this in the weekend?