Llun 4, day 7.
Woke after top sleep to find Dai Newson reputation as world’s best snorer now reinforced beyond all doubt. Breakfast was a combination of a full British and left over Hangi, great stuff.
Joined in the game of touch rugby which was getting a bit serious (Tony Whittaker was up to 41 tries) before our official departure. Less singing than before but a nice goodbye and assurances that we can next time just walk onto the Marae as (semi) members. We even manage a decent song ourselves. The elder comes with us for a short spin and shows us the beach and some local history. Apparently an early Catholic priest, realising that the tribe were about to loose a lot of land in the treaties, preserved it for them by claiming it as church lands.
We then travel onto the White water Rafting Company, based on the Rangitikei river. We all get into web suits (of which there should be some cracking photos soon) and take to 3 big dinghies. Early on we have to walk around a couple of the rapids but we then spend some very pleasant hours gently rowing, shooting rapids, banging into walls and splashing each other. As it was only a grade 2-3 only 4 people actually fell into the water whilst John Horwood led his boat in a great version of ‘yellow submarine’. Our boat was useless; Louie spent the whole time sat inside the boat, Dai Newson and Dai Ed rowed backwards until our guide spotted them, Jon ‘Killer’ Kerr just dabbed at the water and 3 or the 4 fallers: Dai Ed, Phil Williams and Al Stephens were from our boat. Great fun though and a beautiful river which apparently featured in Lord of the rings.
We travel onwards until we get to that nights accommodation, Furlong Motor Lodge. Top sing song and kangaroo court on the bus, aided by more beer then finally food at the lodge. The spread is incredible: oysters, muscles, shrimps, full breakfast foods, breaded fish and more, enough fruit to fill a small lorry, various cakes and pudding, cheese and biscuits. Jas leads the way to the bar but most people head for a warm shower and clean clothes after the Marae/rafting. By the time me and Colin re emerge the bar is totally closed. A small party took to the streets (sori street) to look for alternative watering holes and find a licensed restaurant ‘open 7 nights’ – it’s closed. (lee offers the explanation that it’s 7 nights a month) so we crash Gappas room to empty the mini bar then head for bed.
Joined in the game of touch rugby which was getting a bit serious (Tony Whittaker was up to 41 tries) before our official departure. Less singing than before but a nice goodbye and assurances that we can next time just walk onto the Marae as (semi) members. We even manage a decent song ourselves. The elder comes with us for a short spin and shows us the beach and some local history. Apparently an early Catholic priest, realising that the tribe were about to loose a lot of land in the treaties, preserved it for them by claiming it as church lands.
We then travel onto the White water Rafting Company, based on the Rangitikei river. We all get into web suits (of which there should be some cracking photos soon) and take to 3 big dinghies. Early on we have to walk around a couple of the rapids but we then spend some very pleasant hours gently rowing, shooting rapids, banging into walls and splashing each other. As it was only a grade 2-3 only 4 people actually fell into the water whilst John Horwood led his boat in a great version of ‘yellow submarine’. Our boat was useless; Louie spent the whole time sat inside the boat, Dai Newson and Dai Ed rowed backwards until our guide spotted them, Jon ‘Killer’ Kerr just dabbed at the water and 3 or the 4 fallers: Dai Ed, Phil Williams and Al Stephens were from our boat. Great fun though and a beautiful river which apparently featured in Lord of the rings.
We travel onwards until we get to that nights accommodation, Furlong Motor Lodge. Top sing song and kangaroo court on the bus, aided by more beer then finally food at the lodge. The spread is incredible: oysters, muscles, shrimps, full breakfast foods, breaded fish and more, enough fruit to fill a small lorry, various cakes and pudding, cheese and biscuits. Jas leads the way to the bar but most people head for a warm shower and clean clothes after the Marae/rafting. By the time me and Colin re emerge the bar is totally closed. A small party took to the streets (sori street) to look for alternative watering holes and find a licensed restaurant ‘open 7 nights’ – it’s closed. (lee offers the explanation that it’s 7 nights a month) so we crash Gappas room to empty the mini bar then head for bed.
posted by Llanelli Warriors match blog at 4:10 am
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