Anyway the forecast was showery today and luckily we only got one but being out on the water it wouldn't have mattered anyway. We drove to Kaiteriteri beach this time just in case we were too tired at the end of the day to walk back up the very steep hill to the B&B. The water taxi that was taking us to our start point was due in at 10.30 near enough so it was quite a leisurely start to the day. They pull right up on the beach here so you don't get too wet.
There was a great American family out on the taxi with us who were in the area for the first time and going for a walk; they were in the same taxi as us on the way back too.
And because you just have to I went for a swim as the water looked very inviting. It isn't too warm in there yet but was so nice on a hot and overcast day.
We packed all our stuff in the 4 canoes, got in and Harley pushed us off the sand, nice and easy so you don't get all that awkward 'trying to get in the boat stuff' and falling in to the water before you start. Derek went at the back so he could steer and it felt so good to be on the water again.
With our destination of Anchorage in sight by this time the wind had picked up and with it behind us - we'd been paddling for about two hours by then - Harley decided we would 'raft' together and put up a sail! So we grabbed hold of each others kayaks, we were on the sea side, Harley and Lisa on the beach side and the other two in the middle so me and Lisa got hold of the front of the sail while Derek and Harley strapped the back of the sail to their paddles and up it went! It was amazing and we flew!! The sea did come over the front of our kayaks a bit and even though we had spray sheets on tight we got a little damp in the seating area but it was warm.
After drying off and more food we parted company and stayed on the beach waiting for our taxi just watching all the other tours coming in.
People can camp in the park too overnight but the only way in is to walk or by sea so you can only bring in what you carry. There are a few houses dotted about which were built before they turned it in to a National Park and no more building is allowed. So these houses have now become so expensive that no-one can afford to buy them even if they did come up for sale, a little like the Hengistbury Head/Mudeford Spit beaches huts.
I wish more days could be as free and easy as this one was.
TTFN xxxx