Abel Tasman Kayaking

Today got up early (as usual) and went down to the kayak base to load up, do safety procedures etc... This was the worrying bit as we had not kayaked before and Mark had forgotten the safety manouvers he read on the internet and we weren't sure if they would let us go as novices. However, on arrival there were two glammed up German girls also going it alone so in comparison we looked like pros! Once we had done all the boring safety stuff, had a couple of rolls and been told we were in for rough weather, we were up for it. We tractored out to sea and took off in our floating vessels. It was great, the sun was (at this point) shining and the sea was calm. The bays were real pretty but we didn't get a close look because we were miles out to sea trying to avoid rocks. We couldn't understand the other kayakers taking such flagrant risks, paddling so close to shore. We decided to be brave and risk landing in a small bay for a snack, perhaps not the wisest idea as we later discovered we had forgotten food for the next day (oops). The mad mile was mad, we fought the gales and the surf and of course we were miles from any rocks. Soon we reached the bay where our campsite was and decided to to land as the weather was coming in thick and fast. Mark erected the tent and Sharon looked busy. Before long the rain set in. By night fall torrential downpours were beating down our tent like a herd of elephants. All the camping equiptment was hired and so everything was smelly... the tent, the sleeping bags, all grim. The campsite was a small one so the facilities such as flushing toilets and sinks for washing we somewhat limited, i.e non exisitant. At this point Mark realised he had left the first aid kit, complete with torch back at the hostel so no night time trips to the toilet. In summary the camping truely horrendous (Mark thought it was ok). In the morning we felt grotty and the weather was awful. It was raining for ages and whilst I hibernated under a stinking sleeping bag Mark wandered along to the lookout in persuit of good weather and photographic opportunities. By mid morning we decided to pack up and leave. What a plan, once in the kayaks the sun was shining and the world was good again, I was happy. Only one small problem. We had eaten all our food and we still had a days kayaking to do. Mark swears blind I had forgotten the food in persuit of losing his ever decreasing belly but I swear I don't know how it happened. We kayaked on through the afternoon crossing another dodgy area to Little Tonga Bay, then back to Bark Bay to catch the water taxi back to base. By the time we got back we were starving so we ate loads of snacks and then went out for a lovely meal in Marahau, delicious! Our kayaking trip was cool, we loved it and the most dangerous part really was cycling back to our hostel with no lights on our bikes.