The Saga of Pelorus Tides

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The Saga of Pelorus Tides Jeanine Langvik fterl being force-fed for weeks We paddled out of Tennyson Inlet un- ing it slowly being devoured by the on end with Wayne's efforts der windy but sunny skies, with the rising tide, we should have seen it in organising the largest sea novices taking to kayaking like fish to coming. kayaking trip ever run by the Club, I water. In no time we were at the first was starting to get sick of it even be- night's destination: Tawa Bay. Suddenly, Kirsty was heard yelling fore it got going. Great was my relief from inside her tent that our tents were and anticipation, however, as all 23 of Our newly-acquired kayak trolley was about to be flooded! Luckily she had us finally assembled Thursday after- soon put to good use carrying all the decided against ignoring the fast apnoon at the ferry terminal. Everyone boats across the low-tide seabed, proaching, lapping water's edge and had loads of gear; a certain paddler seemingly for miles, to bring them to going back to sleep... even tried to take herl little cuddly dog a spot that definitely and positively with her... appeared to be above the highest Rat's tent was already soaked, and reaches of all possible spring tides and Rowena's suddenly filled up with wa- The crossing was relatively unevent- tsunami floods. The fact that there ter as she was evacuating. We all reful, and we were met by the kayak were the remains of an old fireplace, treatedinto thel bush, making sure the rental people in Picton and driven to clearly emphasised this. Thus started boats would not float away. Incredu- Tennyson Inlet, where our adventure the rising tide saga... lously, we watched the tide creep up was to start from the following day. on us at an incredible rate, soothing Due to a shortage of camping space, our souls on popcorn and a brew. Friday morning we were all briefed of which the best had already been When Wayne strode out, wading up before we began trying to cram all our taken by a bunch of other kayakers, to his knees, to where our tents had stuff into the kayaks. We split into some of us decided to camp around been only half an hour before, howthree groups; a Fit group led by Mark, the aforementioned fireplace. The ever, we knew it was time to find a Medium led by me, and a novice evening activities progressed well, and somewhere else to sleep. group which came to be known as cooking dinner for 23 peoplei in a wok "Wayne's Girls", with Rat/Martin turned out to work quite well. Relax- Leaving Rowena, Ilse, Geoff, Pete & proud to be "honorary girlie". ing around the campfire and watch- Kirsty to fend for themselves amongst Tennyson Inlet Jeanine Langvik TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING 1996

Lunch stop at Rams Head, outer Pelorus Sound Jeanine Langvik the scrub, Wayne and I paddled over We camped at Jacobs Bay, making sure ing fresh oysters. A family of cheeky our campsite, retreating to where the all our tents were well above thel high- wekas kept running around the camp, rest of the group was by then dry and tide mark. Despite (and probably be- even, to his dismay, daring to steal dreaming in their tents; except for cause of) having several keen mem- Harry's Easter buns. The enthusiasm Harry and Suzi who greeted us moon- bers of the "Never-caught-a-fish-club" of our non-fishermen never failed to light paddlers with a nice (and above- on our trip, the only fish we had was dampen, ensuring their continued the-tide-mark) fire. caught by some fishermen chatted up membership in their own exclusive by Wayne's girls-good work girls! club. Iwas woken on Saturday morning by a family of wekas running around on Sunday was the shortest paddling Monday was a beautiful day, and altop of me and my bivy bag. The day day-and the windiest-and took us though we had looked at the map and set out to be sunny andt ibrilliant, how- from) Jacob's Bay to Chance Bay, at the thought it was going to be a long day, ever, and after a while we were all top of Nydia Bay. It turned quite we had the wind behind us and apart ready to head out, seeking newa adven- choppy as we crossed the Hikapu from a couple of stops, we literally tures. As we paddled out of Tennyson Reach of the Pelorus Sound, provid- cruised down the Sound. Inlet we headed west, passing numer- ing excellent wave conditions. As soon ous marine farms laid out like black as we madei iti into the shelter of Nydia Inspired by some of our group who pearls on a string. Bay, the sea became calm again, as had tried their tent fly out as a sail, we we meandered along the shore for a banded four kayaks together, using one Keeping the respective groups together while, spotting birds nesting in the of those huge red WT&MC flys, franproved quite a challenge. Wayne's treetops, and the bright red flowers. tically holding onto the cords as wind- "girlies" " raced offf far aheadandWayne gusts came lashing in, and motoring and the "honorary girlie" lagged be- Meanwhile, the great debate over ex- along at a really amazing speed. Sure hind, while the rest of us stopped for actly where we were supposed to beats straining your arms paddling, a break along the barren coastline camp that night went on upon the and what a great way to end a perfect around Rams Head. shore, as Chance Bay was fairly small and most memorable trip. and it would be rather intimate if all Paddling around the point at which we 23 of us were to camp there. In the We were picked up just out of Havewould turn into Pelorus Sound was end, thet five who had opted to stay an lock and taken back to Picton where quite tedious, andits seemed even fur- extra dayin The Sounds chose to head we stumbled across several (sub-)spether into our designated lunch stop, further down Nydia Bay. cies of grubby and muddy mountain Wilson Bay. Eventually, however, we bikers. Thet trampers told tales of snow were all gathered there, and some of It was a nice warm afternoon, and a and rain; no doubt sea kayaking beats us even had the pleasure of a freei ice- couple of us even had a quick dip af- these kinds of strange activities any old cream (thanks Rowena and Hazel). ter gathering mussels for tea and tast- time. TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING 1996