Head down, Ass Up & Rolling.....

So here we are gassing up somewhere on the Kapiti Coast with a lot of K's in front of us. Shermans last refuelling was at Karamea, on the West Coast, so it was time he was topped up. Sunday morning went very fast, & it was with great reluctance that we parted company with Pete at round 1045 to go & check in for our 1200 crossing. Imagine our joy to see our old friend the Santa Rosa tied up at the wharf.

It didn't take us long get checked in, boarded & snugged down in our cabin in the drivers section. It was a very smooth crossing, the only hassles being the tribes of school kids swarming round yelling & giggling. I couldn't really sleep, but I dont know if it was the noise or just the excitement of setting foot on home turf again. Although the sea was calm, mainly due to a strong southerly wind holding it down it was a stirring trip. I found myself a sheltered spot on the lee side & sat & listened to the wind screaming in the rigging. I wouldn't want to be out in my boat in it.

All too soon & not soon enough, we were driving Sherman out of the cavernous vehicle hold & making our way back up to Silverstream for a welcome reunion with Heather & Robb. You guys rock. You have two wonderful children as well. Give them both a pat on the head from us both & take several for yourselves. We really appreciated everything you did for us.. Paddington wasn't all that certain about Turbo though..
So we left Rob & Heather about 0815 on the Monday morning. Allowing for fuel & comfort stops & the obligatory meal at the Turangi truck stop, we didn't make bad time. We elected to come home via Tokaanu, coming back onto SH1 at Tokoroa. Country roads with no towns & no police patrols.. We made it home by 4.15 pm, which I thought wasn't too shabby. We had texted ahead, so two friends were waiting to help me throw everything in the spare garage & park Sherman up for a well earned rest. The Ginger ninja's were very happy to see us home, didn't stop talking to us for a good half hour. How do I break it gently to them that we are off next weekend as well for Jude's 65th birthday? Oh well I'll (yawn) worry about that (yawn ) in a day or so....