25 October, 2024
Our journey home yesterday came close to extending another day. We duly left Kaikoura early in the morning, travelled sedately to Picton where we caught up with family, and were aboard the Connemara in good time for the 2 pm sailing. There was a blustery, at times gale force, nor’wester, but L said it wouldn’t make for a rough crossing because there’d be no fetch. And that’s exactly how it was, a smooth crossing despite the wind. It’s a southerly that makes for a rough crossing. I forget exactly why, despite having it explained to me many times. Something to do with fetch.
All went well till we were in Wellington harbour, and the captain informed us it was too windy to attempt berthing, and we could be waiting several hours for the wind to drop sufficiently for a safe landing, so to speak. We slowly circled the harbour until finally we got the announcement there was a lull in the wind which hopefully would last long enough to berth. It did, and so we were finally on the road home, several hours later than intended but in enough time to make it to the Remutakas before the road’s overnight closure for maintenance.
We enjoyed our mini road trip but, as always, we enjoyed getting back to the comfort of home. And as a bonus, when I opened the blinds this morning, I was greeted with a garden that has put on amazing growth in the 9 or so days we’ve been away. All the hard word last summer and autumn digging up the lawn for a perennial border is starting to show results. Still work to do and gaps to fill, but I’m thrilled with how it’s coming along. If you’re interested, you can check out the garden’s progress on haphazardgardenerblog.wordpress.com
Off Highway One 