We were up at the crack of dawn (and 6.30 is about the time that dawn cracks on NZ Summer Time) for a quick breakfast and off in the trusty Nissan Sunny by about 7.45 (after Mum insisted on hanging out a quick load of washing). We drove through Nelson, over the Whangamoa and Rai Saddles, through Rai township, Pelorus and Canvastown, reaching Havelock bang on 9 am. We stocked up with a few sandwiches, drinks etc at the Havelock Bakery and Cafe and headed down to the Havelock marina to catch the Pelorus mail boat. There were 34 people on board for the trip (so we were told) and at 9.30 the skipper cast off and we chugged off down Pelorus sound. As we left Havelock and entered the sound proper, the back deck (where Mum and I had cunningly positioned ourselves by being the last ones on the boat) and the top deck above the main cabin became very popular, and all manner of American, Australian and English accents were heard oohing and aahing over the spectacuar blue waters, plunging bush-clad hillsides and secluded coves.
The sun obliged by breaking through early scattered clouds and the rest of the day was spent in blazing sunshine. It took two hours of pleasant sailing through Pelorus Sound, and past gorgeously appointed hillside homes and weekenders, before we made our first mail stop at Pohuenui Nature Reserve. The next couple of stops were kind of diverting but as we reached the outward extremities of Port Ligar and Forsyth Island, the gloss was fading from the whole stopping business and we were forming the opinion that four hours in the sounds was enough for anybody. The three hour journey back to Havelock along much the same route were three hours that could have been better spent elsewhere, and we were glad to get back to the Havelock Marina and motor back to Richmond as quickly as the Sunny's four cylinders and New Zealand speed limits would allow. I left Mum to it and nipped down the Sprig and Fern to pick up a rigger of Pale Ale, then headed down to Chris's. Chris's mate Preston and his wife were there already and we ordered Indian from Richmond's new and exotic Indian restaurant, which took an age to prepare -- which didn't worry Chris, Preston or me unduly as he had despatched the wife to pick it up. Lovely girl, for a North Islander. We had dinner while watching the Highlanders lose to the Blues, and then had a few more drinkies while a bio of Sean Fitzpatrick played on Rugby Channel. Finally the Crusaders v Reds came on but the Crusaders played so poorly and losing badly that I gave up early in the second half and wandered back up to Mum's. I was asleep milli-seconds after hitting the pillow.
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