April Fools

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April Fools Harriette Carr What does one do with a broken arm and a sprained ankle? Well, some would suggest nothing, but being a true Tongue and Meat the word "nothing"i is not in my vocabulary, SO when a friend mentioned that he planned to swim to Somes Island on the weekend, I jumped at the chance. I 4 o celebrate the removal of the cast Ihobbled Ann for advice, and she said don't worry, just keep down to the Aquatic Centre to see if I could swimming. Welllwasn'tgoing to stop in the middle actually swim 3km, aslhad never swum that of thej jelly, but was unsure whether they sting or how far before. Mission accomplished, soldecidedlcould many of them there were. After a minute's frantic make it out to Somes. The next task was to find a swimming I made it to clearer waters. couple of people who would be keen to kayak along Gradually the island got closer till my feet could beside us. Fortunately, I had some obliging friends touch the rocky bottom andlstaggered ashore after in the form of Ann, Phil and Stuart. an hour in the water. Out came the surprises fresh Saturday morning dawned, April 1st yes April baking from Stuart and a hot drink. Fools Day, and the forecast was for gale-force We stretched our legs with a walk to the top of the northerlies, but knowing that WT&MC people are island, and while we were there we saw the ferry not put off by a little wind, Patrick andIdrove out to coming, SO Patrick andI raced/hobbled down to the Petone and sure enough the kayakers were there. jetty while the others headed back to their kayaks. (They did admit that when they realised it was. April Once on the ferry we were asked for our tickets, Fools Day they wondered if it was all a joke.) and got some amazed looks when we said it was a With wetsuits donned we: set off towards the island. one way trip I think most people use more The waves gradually got choppier till we had to rely conventional methods of reaching Somes. on the kayakers to tell us when we were heading off As it turns out, swimming to Somes was the easier course. Ihad a tendency to drift towards Eastborne option. The three kayakers had a hard job getting maybe it was thoughts of muffins and other food back to Petone as the wind was now gale-force, with that can be purchased there? high waves and lots of spray. It took them an hour to I followed Ann's navigation, when something reach Petone by which time they were exhausted. brushed past my hand then my foot, then myface... Meanwhile Patrick andI were sipping on cups of tea soon it felt like I was swimming in jelly yes, Iwas and thinking of future water adventures. April Fools in the middle of a mass of jelly fish! Ilooked over to or just enthusiastic people? You be the judge... * € Tramping and Mountaineering 2000