26 March 2010274400kms, 23°C. 14:31 - just done some shopping at 4 Square, and now off to join Max at Sailor's Cutting. Finally, after months and months of trying, the lads have got a weekend off at the same time - Mike finished night's this morning! Filled up in Alexandra (274411, 52L). Got to Sailor's Cutting at 17:10, Max there already with beer in hand, waiting for us. Found a sheltered spot (bit of a NW blowing) and settled down for a good catch up and a few beers. Max went and had a fish while Mike and I chilled, and then Max cooked dinner (steak and coleslaw on Turkish buns). We went to bed at 22:30, after sitting outside all evening - nice and warm and no wind where we were.
27 March 2010
Up at 08:00 - very warm night and now already 17.5°C but overcast. Blew quite strongly off and on all night - weather forecast is for a southerly change today, but so far so good. Max and Mike went for a fish - Max caught nice rainbow and Mike caught a "big" chocolate fish! Moved round to another spot at 14:00 as the wind had changed to the south, as predicted, and a bitterly cold one at that. Having said that, once we'd moved the sun actually came out and once again we sat outside and yarned and drank. The temperature did start to drop though, and warmer clothes were donned in ever increasing layers (Marielle ending up with gloves, woolly hat, slippers and merino!). 
While still outside we here loudish Irish music coming from Kevin and Aileen's campsite (we'd talked to them earlier in the day while Max was launching his "penguin-flipper" kayak) so we grabbed our drinks and went to join them. Had a good yarn but did feel a tad sorry for them as they were just finishing cooking tea when they arrived -
and by the time we left it was well and truly munted! Max did invite them over to have green curry with us - but Kevin declined as he couldn't stand the stuff (thank heavens, 'cause there was no way we would have had enough to feed 5!). Ate tea inside - too cold out tonight. When we went to bed at 22:30 it was only 6.5°C! Brrr - just a wee bit colder than last night - LOL.28 March 2010
Up at 08:15 - a massive sleep-in for us!!! And a good sleep too. Max took his kayak out and Mike and I went round to the boat harbour to have a fish - us ZERO, Max a beautiful 3.5lb brown trout. Bitterly cold wind, but no rain, so that's good. Now 11:20 and only 9°C. We are going to head off to Queenstown today - Maggie needs the (final) glo-plug controller fitted (now that the problem's been sorted we can get the jury-rigger one out and finally get a new, fully working one installed). 12:47, 274562kms, 10.5°C - going to dump and the off. 14:29 - just had lunch at Lion's Creek beside Lake Dunstan, 14°C and sunny - very welcome warmth. Had ham sandwich. 15:53 - stopped in Cromwell for supplies, now just getting water in Queenstown and then off to surprise Kirsty - she has no idea we're on our way!.
16:29 - we have Benny on board and are heading off to 12 Mile Delta - Kirsty is following us to join us for a beer and tea. 
Lovely and warm out of the wind (by using Maggie as a wind shelter) so we sat outside until the sun dropped, when it instantaneously got cold, so inside for tea - pork honey soy stir fry. Beautiful moon rise tonight! Kirsty left after tea - we did dishes and hit the pit (21:30).
29 March 2010
Beautiful sunrise - up at 07:40 - 8°C. Left camp at 09:22. 10:58 - Maggie all fixed, had Burger King for breakfast and now off to Cromwell to empty, fill gas bottle and then into Alexandra to fill with diesel so she's all full for Boyd and family to take to the Marlborough Sounds. Filled gas bottle with 2.3kg, and at 274781kms filled with 67L diesel. Home at 13:30 - 274881kms.
