Thank god I’m out the water!!!We managed to beach ourselves on a tiny area of pebbles after coming out again, and smacking my knees on some rock. Not happy! I was freaking out a bit to be honest. I’m never getting back in a kayak. Cookie went roaming off to get help. I was a bit worried about him wading straight into the river! But really thankful rescue would only be a few hours away. But I was only sat soggy on the side for a few mins before Cookie returns triumphant with Don the Farmer in his ute! The two of em dragging the heavy kayak up the steep grassy hill. What a relief!!
So after emptying the kayak of water for a second time (not easy with 8 days worth of supplies I can tell you), we took stock of the situation. Continue to the first campsite? Continue to the next time we’re alongside a road? “I’m not getting back in that kayak” says Nicky, ok I’ll go get help then..
We couldn’t phone for help (no signal), we could flag down a passing canoe, but might be the end of the day before they were in a position to get word to Taumarunui Canoe Hire. The best option looked like just walking back, only was about 4 miles of farmland, jeep track and roads to get me back to the hire place, so I went back into the river (had to be on the wrong side of it didn’t we..) After swimming across the river, I made my way towards the farmhouse where I would hopefully pick up a track to take me back to the road..
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