Orepuki

New pictures from Christchurch to Dunedin 

Wednesday 30th January

James writes

Babs padled to Orepuki, she wanted to go further but she was suspicious of the weather. An hour later new she made the right decision, unexpected winds whipped the Tewaewae bay into not a pleasant place to be in a kayak. Later Stanley and Belinda collected Babs, seems they cant get enough of her company, and Babs is enjoying theirs.

Past Bluff into Riverton

26th January
James writes: Just spoke with babs on the phone for 15 minutes, she took advantage of the weather and shot past Bluff after nearly reaching the harbour within 2 hours, having to camp on the spit outside the entrance when winds came up. The next day she paddled past the entrance onto Omaui and then across the bay to Riverton. Belinda and Stanley fromm Invercargill now have her in their care where she will prepare for the next big leg into Fiordland and if I guess right some Bluff oysters.

UPDATE from Babs of the last week till the 23rd..

Onsdagen den 23 januari. Ja, vad gällde vindarna var det inte någon förbättring men däremot mindre regn och fler promenader. Men vad jag är less på de starka vindarna...
Wednesday the 23rd January. The wind is no better today with a little less rain, so it was more walks, Im tired of this wind…

Tisdagen den 22 januari. Enligt väderprognosen kunde jag förvänta mig vindar om 40 knop och mer. Det såg inte inbjudande ut om morgonen och snart vräkte regnet ner och vinden ryckte i tältet. Som tur var fick jag tillbringa eftermiddagen i familjerna Mills och Scotts avslappnande sällskap.
Tuesday the 22nd January. Weather forecast was correct with 40 knots plus. Not very inviting along with the pouring rain pelting down on my tent! With luck I spent the day with Scott & Mills in their wonderful company.

Måndagen den 21 januari. Det är ovanligt med dimma längs denna kust men denna morgon låg den tjock över havet. När den väl hade lättat fick jag en underbar paddling till nästa säkra landningsställe. Och i Tautuku Bay blev jag varmt omhändertagen av familjerna Scott och Mills som skämde bort mig med den underbart goda fisken Blue Cod och tog mig med på en kvällspromenad till pingvinernas värld!

Monday the 21st January. It was an unusual thick coastal fog along the coast this morning. But when it lifted it was another wonderful day of paddling to Tautuku Bay, where again I was taken care of family Scott & Mills who spoilt me with delicious blue cod and took me for a walk to the Penguin colony.

Söndagen den 20 januari. När jag skulle ge mig av fick jag problem. Det var lågvatten och jag fick dra kajaken en lång sträcka. Bara för att konstatera att jag inte kunde ta mig ut i de branta vågorna. Men genom att dra kajaken en bit bakom en ö kunde jag äntligen ta mig ut. En vacker morgonpaddling och senare en mängd uddar med stökiga rev. Den allt starkare östliga vinden gjorde mig allt tröttare och vid Port Molyneux gav jag upp. Lynette och Bill var snabbt nere på stranden och tog hand om mig på bästa sätt med mat, skogspromenad och trevligt sällskap!
Sunday the 20th January. Just as I was to leave a problem! It was low water and I go to drag the kayak a long distance only to see that the surf was to risky to get out. Dragging the kayak along the beach a bit more I could eventually see a way out. A beautiful day of paddling, with plenty of small peninsulas with breaking reefs. The easterly wind strengthened and getting tired I ended my day in Port Molyneux. Lynette & Bill were quick down to the beach and took care of me in the best of ways with food and walks in the forest, great company, thanks!

Lördagen den 19 januari. Idag var det dags att göra ett utbrytningqsförsök från St Clair. Även om havet hade lugnat sig var många av vågorna otäcka. Som tur var fanns en av surfingkillarna på plats och det kändes tryggare med honom på stranden när jag gav ut. Nu väntade mig en kuststräcka ner till Bluff med få säkra landningsplatser och dagens paddling blev därför ganska så kort till Taieri Mouth. Strax efter det att jag hade kommit iland ökade vinden åter till upp emot en 40 knots och resten av dagen tillbringades på landbacken med kamera, paj och trevliga möten.

Saturday the 20th January. Today was time to break out through the surf in St Clair., even though the sea hadn’t fully clamed down with some not so nice breakers. It felt safe to have one of the surfers around, it gave some security. Ahead of me all the way to Bluff there is to be more safe landing places, hence my next stop was the sheltered river mouth at Taieri. Just after I came into land the wind went to 40knots and the rest of the day was spent on land with my camera, a pie and meeting some nice people.

Invercargill around the corner

Friday 25th January

James writes: Small short bits of information is coming in via the sat phone by SMS texting, After 2 days of rough weather Babs made a half days padddling approximately 25km to Chaslands Mistake on the 24th. Now its for rounding the most southern point of the South Island and head west into Bluff to resupply and prepare for the push around and into Fiordland. Its hoped she will reach Bluff Saturday afternoon and the weather will be on her side the next weeks.

Tautuku

Monday 21st-22nd January

Satphone message: At Tautuku Beach. Safe landing, road and people. No idea paddling today Tuesday.

Port Molyneux

Sunday 20th January

James wrires: Short message from babs, she reached todays goal Port Molyneux. Aprrox a 50 km paddle.

Thankyou Dunedin!

19th January.

James writes: I just arrived back in Sweden, received a message Babs left Dunedin in the morning and later this evening she made it to Taeiri Heads, where she made a more sheltered landing. Weather permitting it will be Kaka point tomorrow eve. When I spoke to her on the phone she was really thankful to everyone in Dunedin who went out of her way, she appreciated it a lot!

SMS Text from Babs:

Fredagen den 18 januari. Enligt väderprognosen skulle jag få sydliga motvindar om 20 knots så det var bara att ställa in mig på ännu en dag på landbacken. Det blev en avslappnad strövdag i Dunedin med många pratstunder med människor som hade läst dagstidningen och hos turistinformationen på Princes Street som hjälpte mig med smått och gott. Men nu vill jag ut på vattnet!

Firday the 18th January. The weatherforecast was for southerly 20 knots, so it was to be another on land. It was a relaxed day wandering Dunedin with many conversations, meeting with people who had read the paper with an article about my travel. Including the tourist information centre on Princes Streeet, who had helped me. But now I want to get out on the water…

Torsdagen den 17 januari. Strax innan jag gick till sängs la jag märke till att det ena paddelbladet var ordentligt skadat. Utan en fungerande extrapaddel paddlar jag inte så det blev ännu en dag på landbacken. Killarna på Watercooled Sports ( www.watercooled.co.nz ) gjorde ett fantastiskt jobb! Riktigt proffsigt! Och dagen gick fort med mycket mat och prat och intervju av Otago Daily Time.
Thursday the 17th January. Just before I went to sleep I noticed my paddle blad was seriously damaged! It would not work without a functional extra paddle, o it will another day on land. The guys at Watercooled Sports ( www.watercooled.co.nz ) did a fantastic repair job, very professional! And the day went fast with a lot of food, talking and an interview with Otago Daily Time´s.

Onsdagen den 16 januari. Jag var ner till stranden tidigt om morgonen men kunde snabbt konstatera att med dessa gigantisja surfingvågor var det uteslutet att ge mig av. Istället fick jag tillbringa dagen hos en god väns goda väns goda vän med att torka och laga utrustning och sitta vid stranden för att beundra surfarna. I vart fall en dag med värme och strålande sol!
Wednesday the 16th January. I went down to the beach early in the morning, but could straight aay se that the gigantic surf defied my getting out today. Instead I spent the day with a friends good friend oy a good friend. Spending time drying and fixing equipment, then sitting at the beach admiring the surfers. I any case it was a warm and sunny day at the beach.

Tisdagen den 15 januari. Väderprognosen var fördelaktiga nordliga vindar senare följda av sydliga vindar. Det blev en dagspaddling i vackert väder och jag njöt av Otago Peninsula där klippor och sandstränder avlöste varandra. Men på dess södra sida kunde jag inte hitta någon bra landningsplats. Hela kuststräckan var en drömplats för surfare! Tyckte ändå att jag hittade en hyfsat bra plats tills jag upptäckte surfarna framför mig. Som dessutom pekade frenetiskt bakom mig! Jo, det var definitivt den största våg jag har sett från kajaken! Konstigt nog blev jag inte rädd. Kanske hann jag aldrig bli rädd. Fokuserad som aldrig förr gav jag mig bara den på att försöka surfa mig genom vågen. Det gick rätt bra och först mot slutet misslyckades jag med att hålla mig kvar. Det var kraft i den vågen för plötsligt höll jag i en halv paddel. Den andra halvan av den delbara paddeln väntade på mig efter det att jag hade simmat klart. Ja, detta var helt klart mitt sämsta beslut hitintills! Ett stort tack till den surfare som senare kom förbi för att kolla hur det hade gått. Och ett jättetack till ni tre killar från Queenstown som tog hand om en strandsatt och supertrött Babs!

Tuesday the 15th January. Weather forecast was mostly northerly soon to be followed by a southerly change. It was a day paddling in splendid weather and I enjoyed the Otago Peninsula where cliffs and sandy beaches made the scenery. But on the southern side, I coudln’t see a good landing place. The whole coast was surfers paradise. Thought I did find a relatively ok place to land, until I saw surfers in front of me. Strangely I wasn’t afraid, maybe I just did not have time! Focused like never before I started to try to surf my way in. It went really well and just at the end it didn’t quite go so well. There was power in them waves, for all of a sudden I was holding just half a paddle! The other half of my split paddle waited for me on the beah as I sam myself in the last bit. Yes, that was clearly my worse decision so far! A big thanks to the surfers that later came past to se how I was. And a bigger thanks to the three guys from Queenstown who took care of a stranded and super exhausted Babs!

Dunedin surfin... UPDATE

UPDATE

16-18th January.

Babs has spent the last three days with either large swell or non paddler friendly winds, but the time has been put to good use and she says thanks to everyone´s support. I will get text from her the next 24 hours.

James Writes:
Tuesday 15th January

Babs made Dunedin today, managed to catch the biggest wave of the day according to local surfers, who seem to have taken care of her after she landed for the night.

Babs sent this text for yesterday:

Måndagen den 14 januari. Vaknade tidigt till ännu en gråmulen morgon. Bara några timmar senare gav jag upp gentemot vinden. Efter ytterligare ett försök hamnade jag i Karitane. En tråkigt kort paddelsträcka och ett ihållande regn tröstades med mat och lite godis. Hoppas på bättre väder men det ser ut som om jag får vänta ett tag...

Monday 4th January. Woke to another grey day. A short while later I was out against the wind but got only as far as Katritane. A boring short paddle leg and in rain, but I treated myself with some food and sweets. Hoping the weather will be better, but seems I will be waiting a while…

Latest text from Babs

Below are the latest SMS messages from Babs.

Söndagen den 13 januari. Det var en gråmulen himmel om morgonen men det mer varierande landskapet med berg, jordbruk och sandstränder piggade upp. Vid Moeraki tilltog den nordostliga vinden kraftigt och det blev en högst utmanande paddling mellan Moeraki Point och Katiki Point. Fortsatte ännu en sträcka men gick iland innan nästa udde när vinden blev allt starkare. Och åter regn i luften.

Sunday the 13th January. Grey skies with varied landscapes of mountains farmland and beaches kept me awake. At Moeraki the north easterly wind strengthened and it became a very challenging paddle between Moeraki Point and Katiki Point. Continued but went into land at the next point as the wind increased with rain.

Lördagen den 12 januari. Jag vaknade till en vacker dag men kunde snabbt konstatera att vissa vågor vräkte så kraftigt mot stranden att jag riskerade att skada mig om jag gick ut på egen hand. Vid lunch kom familjen Brown och hjälpte mig att ta mig ut på ett säkert sätt. Samtidigt hade den västliga vinden börjat tillta och det blev en jobbig paddling till Oamaru med kastvindar. Väl i Oamaru gillade jag inte den himmel jag såg och stannade fegt kvar på land. Tur var det för snart vände vinden och på bara någon minut blåste det cirka 40 knots. Nu längtar jag efter gynnsamma vindar!

Saturday the 12th January. I woke to a beautiful day but could quickly see that some sets of waves were landing so powerful that I knew I would be risking too much attempting single handedly getting out. With Lunch came the Brown family and who helped push me out in a safer manner. At the same time the now westerly wind began and it was difficult paddling to Oamaru with gustily winds. My decision in Oamaru I didn't appreciate as I stayed on land. But that ws a good call, soon the wind changed and within a few minutes it blew 40knots. Im looking forward to constant winds!

Fredagen den 11 januari. Sov underbart gott och vaknade utsövd med en spinnande katt bakom knävecken. Tillbringade förmiddagen hos Wright Technologies där problemet med satelittelefonen löstes alldeles galant och för egen del kan jag snart påbörja min anställning som försäljare. Det var inte lika lätt att lifta tillbaka men fram emot kvällen var jag ändå framme. Fick en härlig kväll i Oamaru tillsammans med de skotska paddlarna Gordon och Morgan samt en trevlig pratstund med bondfamiljen strax intill.

Friday the 11 January. Slept wonderfully with a purring cat behind me at Ian and Gina´s in Christchurch. Spent the morning back at Wright Technologies where the problem with the Satellite phone was sorted and after all this I cold make a great Iridium sales person. It was not as easy hitching back towards Oamaru but eventual. Had a great night in Oamaru with the Scottish padlers Gordon and Morgan, as well as good talk with the farming family Bond near to us.

Near to Oamaru..

9-10th January

James writes: 

Babs almost reached Oamaru on the 9th, but southerly winds with predicted high seas have given her a day to carry out some maintenance and dash back to Christchurch to sort some technical problems with her satellite phone (problems with texting) and to send some pictures we hope to see soon.  Babs should be back on the water Saturday.

Timaru,yahoo!

8th Januray

James writes:

Babs passed Timaru last night and is making her way towards Omaru, she is relieved to have to cleared the narly Canterbury Bight and its dumpers. But strong Southerlies and swells are due tomorrow so they will give her the time she needs to recover and do some errands in Christchurch the next day.

Soon Timaru...

7th January

Update: James Writes

Good weather till this afternoon got Babs till Hinds River approximately 40 kms from Timaru. But after 12 hours of paddling fast approaching Gale force winds forced Babs into shore.  This evening large dumping swell seem to dappen any chances leaving in the morning.

Babs sent the following SMS fo her diary fom last 2 days:

Lördagen den 5 januari. Passerade några vikar med ett fantastiskt djurliv. Tillbringade faktiskt hela förmiddagen i denna naturens egen djurpark med massor av delfiner, sälar, pingviner och fåglar. Och senare under dagen passerades jag av ett gigantiskt svart djur med fena...

Saturday the 5^th January. Passed by several bays with fantastic animal life. Spent whole morning in this nature park with masses of dolphins, penguins and other marine birds. And later on during the day a gigantic black animal with a fin…..

Fredagen den 4 januari. Färden gick mot Banks Peninsula. Mulet väder men delfinmötena och det spännande landskapet med vackra klippor och grottor piggade upp. Lugn paddling fram till Pompeys Pillar där sydlig vind, vågor från olika håll och stark ström bildade ett inferno.

Friday 4^th January. Journey around Banks Peninsula. Cloudy weather but Dolphins and the spectacular landscape with beautiful cliffs and caves made it enjoyable. Quiet paddling to Pompeys Pillar there southerly winds, waves from all directions with a strong current built an inferno.

Round Banks Peninsula and on

Update from: James
6^th January
Babs started her next big challenge with southerly head winds that made her day long but short in distance, hoping to reach the Rakaia river she made short at Taumutu with a rough landing. The last Ive heard was the next morning she was on the water just after 6am and I presume with the good weather forecast she is making as far as she can for Timaru before a change, but weather looks good for the next days.

Special thanks to Karel for the tip with www.marineweather.co.nz this site seems much better for passing on forecasts to Babs! Also thanks to all who´s encouraging comments on her blogg site. I will pass onto babs when we get a clear line to talk, the GSM signal often is weak ashore.

5^th January

Babs had a fun day with dolphins and meet people who remembered Paul Caffyns visit 30 odd years ago. With advice from a local farmer and surfers Babs made her way to Magnet Bay. Babs is was somewhat nervous about the next days as she tckles the Canterbury Bight, a 100+ km´s of steep dumping beach till Timaru.

4^th January
Thanks to John Kirk Anderson and his wife Mary who gave Babs a bed for two nights and great help we have some photo´s also from him of Babs leaving Sumner beach the 3^rd with good paddler friendly conditions that allowed her to reach around to Ontanerito bay on the east tip of Banks Peninsula.

Comments

James writes: If you would like to send an encouraging message please feel free to comment which I have just added to her blogg site. A few people have contacted me and asked if I can pass encouraging messages on. 

Christchurch and pictures...

1 - 4th January
James writes
Babs has sent some pictures via via John Kirk Andersson, you can goto her website here and see them here.

 She has sent me the following sms text from her Sonim GSM phone the last day from Christchurch where she spent the 3rd fixing and shopping items she needed including digital topo maps to go into her Garmin GPS as the sea chart are difficult to orientate at times. She also picked up a new Niko D80 house ater water has damaged her old D70. A massage and back to Johns for the night before heading out south this morning (the 4th), TV3 were planning to meet her as she leaves Sumner beach. The media are having a great time with 3 women having, planning and currently paddling the south island.

Below is the text she sent with my translations below each day till the 31st.

Måndagen den 31 december.
Jag vaknade till en stark sydlig vind och istället för paddling blev det debut i tennis och en tur till Christchurch för att hämta den efterlängtade satelittelefonen. Väl tillbaka i Montenau var det kväll och nyårsfirande. Gott Nytt År!

Monday th 31st December.
I woke to strong southerly wind and instead of paddling it became my debut at tennis and tour o Christchurch to collect my long awaited satellite phone. Back at Montenau in the evening to celebrate new year. Happy new tear!

Söndagen den 30 december.
Sov dåligt, morgonen var kall och jag mådde inte bra. Dessutom skulle jag börja morgonen med att paddla ut i brytande vågor. Trots att utbrytningsförsöket gick bra, vädret var fint och landskapet vackert beslutade jag mig för att stanna i Montenau. Här blev jag omhändertagen av familjerna Arthur och Beck - en avkopplande eftermiddag.

Unday the 30th December.
Sleep poorly, morning was cold an did not feel well. Despite all this I started the morning paddling out through the surf. This went well, the weather was fine, but the landscape made me decide to stay in Montenau bay. Here I was in the company of the families Arthur and Beck, a rlaxed afternoon.

Lördagen den 29 december.
Efter en dag på landbacken var jag extra pigg på att paddla. Det vackra vädret, de lekfulla delfinerna, färdens första albatross och det annorlunda landskapet med vita klippor gjorde paddlingen lättsam fram till Waiau River. Där blåste det på snabb tid upp en kraftig vind och jag valde att gå iland vid Gore Bay med en snygg surflandning.

Saturday the 29th December.
After a day on land I was feeling good and keen to paddle. The beautiful weather, playful dolphins, my journey´s first Albatross and the different landscape with white cliffs made the paddling lighter to the Waiau River. There the wind blew up fast and I choose to shelter in Gore Bay with a nice surf landing.

Fredagen den 28 december.
När jag vaknade var den sydliga vinden alltför stark men när den började ge med sig gav jag mig av. Snabbt kunde jag konstatera att väderrapporten om att "sea become ruff for time" stämde. Istället för att utmana ödet tillbringade jag eftermiddagen i Kaikoura med att äta paua och dricka öl i trevligt sällskap.

Friday the 28th December.
I woke to a strong southerly wind. Too strong s when I got ready to leave I decided. I could see the weather forecast was as stated “ sea to become rough for a period”. Instead of my daily challenge I spent my fate for the day in Kaikoura eating paua (clam type shell fish NZ delicacy) and drinking beer in great company.

Torsdagen den 27 december.
Det kändes kallt om morgonen och bergstopparna var täckta med snö. paddlingen ut genom brytande vågor gick bra och snart kom solen, värmen och lekfulla delfiner. under resten av dagen fick jag dessutom se sälar fram till kaikoura. en lång men underbar dag.

Thursday the 27th Decmber.
It feels cold this morning and the mountains are covered in snow. Padling out a breaking surf went fine, and the sun soon came out along with playful dolphins. The rest of the day went by with company of seals untl I cam to Kaikoura. A long but wonderful day.

Onsdagen den 26 december.
En stark sydlig vind skulle dominera dagens väder och det blev en dag på landbacken. Fish and ships i kaikoura där jag kunde konstatera att alla båtarna var kvar på land.

Wednesday the 26th December. A strong southerly wind dominated the days weather and it was a day dry on land. Fish and chips with a visit down the coast to Kaikoura there I could se that all the boats were in harbor, also sheltering.

Christchurch soon....

1st January

James writes:

Babs has managed to hop another 30 km´s yesterday before landing between Leithfield and Waikuku beach. Winds picked up again making further distance difficult, but winds on wednesday should allow her reach Christchurch or Lyttelton. before strong winds expected start the following 24 hours.