Fronting up in The Sounds

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Fronting up in The Sounds Claire Goldsworthy A strong gust of wind picked up the empty dry bag and hurled it across the lawn. I glanced skyward and frowned at the dark clouds scudding past, hoping that the tiny patch of blue amongst all the deep grey would soon increase in size. W. launched our boats and paddled furiouslyi into thet bouncing, tumbling waves. Pressing down hard on the rudders I paddled frantically, desperate not to end up back on the shore. The nose of the kayak eased around and I felt relieved Relaxing in Kumutoto Bay Gary Goldsworthy as I finally made some headway against thel blustery wind. struggled into the teeth of the Alastair, and I, however, had been nor'wester. The only option was to driven around Kumutoto Point, and We paddled up the bay in straggles, paddle but this was fraught with pitched and thrown at the whim of the regrouping 45 minutes later in the lee difficulty as the wind snatched at our wind. Edward paddled to shore, of Mabel Island. Matt passed around paddles and tried to blow US back to hoping for a sheltered place to sit out some delicious homemade biscuits whence we came. the worst ofi it, but the wind spilling off he can come again and we rested, the ridge above created a cauldron in discussing our tactics. The weather Along, exposed stretch of water broke the water close to: shore and our smiles appearedtob be deteriorating, buts spirits the group up as we crossed the and laughter soon disappeared when and morale were high and we were entrance to Kumutoto Bay. The wind we realised the gravity ofl his situation. keen to keep moving. wasi increasingi in strength andvolume A slight lull in the wind gave Edward and the roar bearing down on our the opportunity to gather himself and Striking out we were soon being seemingly fragile crafts became he was expelled from the clutches of buffeted and mauled by the full force disconcerting. the evil gale, rejoining US in the of the nor'wester. Recalling the churning, choppy waves a short briefing, we pointed the nose of our The water flattened briefly but a distant distance away. kayaks into the wind and paddled roar which steadily increased in strong, even strokes. A shower of rain volume, signalled that this lull would It would have been foolish to attempt raced across the dancing, leaping not last. A moment later a southerly to paddle back around thel Point. The water, engulfing US as we headed for front slammed into US like a freight wind was roaring and a torrential the opposite shore. We stopped to train, tossing our kayaks around downpourbeat a steady rhythm on our regroup in a sheltered cove and Matt unceremoniously. Our stunned looks kayaks. We were quickly being blown passed round his biscuits again too confirmed that this blast from hell had along and the most sensible option nice to refuse. indeed caught US unawares, andi it took seemed to be to go with it, until we all our concentration to keep the boats couldi find a sheltered bay. Al kilometre The shoreline in these parts is a real upright. on we paddled around a rocky point treat. Steep, bushclad slopes descend and found an ideal place to rest. rightt to the water's edge and we made Gary, Jo, and Matt had been closer to the most of the shelter that this the lee shore when the front hit and There was no let-up in the wind and provided. Too soon we, were again had managed to paddle into the wind rain and after a while Don suggested being buffeted mercilessly as we up Kumutoto Bay. Don, Edward, that we head back in search of the TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING others. Wee eased out of our sanctuary A campfire beneath a canopy of stars water. Much to our amusement, and were immediately at the mercy of kept US warm as we sat upl late talking. Alastair and Jo spent several minutes the wind again. Paddling strongly we Ap possum made a social visit and was pumping the water from their boats. headedf fort thel Point, noticing nervously fortunate to escape with his life. Don, that the mouth ofl Kumutoto Bay was a the notorious possum killer, pursued As we approached Ngatawhetawheta seething mass of menacing waves. the unwelcome visitor with a large stick Point we noticed a seal having a jolly We roundedi thel Point, franticallyt trying but the possum eventually outwitted old time, sunning himself in the water. to get the nose of the kayaks into the him. He seemed al bit apprehensive as we wind. A gust caught me and I was paddled nearby, but for US, it was a making no headway at all. I pushed Sunday arrived with perfect weather. A great experience to be able to get so hard on the right rudder, paddling like leisurely breakfast ont thel beach set the close to such a nice creature. apossessed woman, willing thel kayak pace: for the day and we cruised out of to come around. Slowly, lethargically, the bay under a warm sun at 9:30am. A paddle across Grove Arm, brought the nose turned andldug deep on the US to a pleasant beach near Iwirua paddle strokes, aware that if lost it Following the shoreline, we ambled Point for lunch. Thel blistering heat was nowlwould bei inl big trouble. Forward along, enjoying the sounds of successfully keeping the sandflies at progress, painfully slowl butt forward all numerous birds and admiring the bay, butit wast taking itstoll on a bunch the same, eased my thumping heart. scenery. Beyond ther next point we: saw of lily-white paddlers. The rain stung our faces, but the wind our first mermaid an Outward Bound didn't seem quite SO fierce once we soloist awaiting her pick-up and we Alastair braved the chilly waters for a werei into the calmer waters of thet bay. called out a friendly greeting. As we record-breaking short dip, and then cruised around the shoreline we promptly dragged Jo in by her feet to We regrouped in Kumutoto Bay and encountered several more OBers keep US entertained. Don peeled off paddled round to Kaipakirikiriki Bay in awaiting pick-up. his shirt and delicately thundered into search of a campsite. Once the tent the water, but none of them stayed in flyswere up and we'dchangedi into dry The day was magnificent clear blue long and the rest of US decided that clothes, life was looking a whole lot skies, thickly forested hills, and flat, restraint was the best option. rosier. Apit-bashing afternoon: seemed green water. We followed the to be in order so I settled back for a shoreline, exploring little coves as we By mid-afternoon we were ready to snooze. When I awoke, the rain had went. Morning tea was had on a small move on, reluctantly, to Picton and the stopped andi the clouds had rolledi back beach in Torea Bay, which became endof as superb weekendi in the Sounds to reveal a sunny afternoon. After the increasingly smaller as the tide rolled with excellent company. The paddlers torrential downpours andl howling wind in. Wel hadto movet fast when the wake were: Don Goodhue (leader), Edward of a couple of hours ago, it was great from a passing boat washed ashore, Cox, Gary Goldsworthy, Alastair Booth, to emerge from the sodden bush to: sit flooding the cockpits ofthosel boats not Matthew Grainger, Jo Thomson and on thel beach and chat. pulled far enough beyond thel lapping Claire Goldsworthy (scribe). Lunch in the sun Gary Goldsworthy TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING