Tuesday 2nd October

70 Days to go.

Well after our overnight rest we head off a little early. We need to pass a dangerous piece of water and want to do it at low tide so we can see where the rocks are.

As we glide through the “Passage” between Choiseul and Rob Roy Island you can almost touch the leaves of trees on either side. We make it around the bend and can see the first of the last 2 logging camps.

As we get further around we can see a logging ship. The Kiwis go berserk. This is the only chance they have to board a ship. They formulate their attack plan and brief me. It is then all go go go! As one team goes up the gangway, the other waits off to cover them. The first team secures the top and then the second team comes on board. They then race through the ship to secure the bridge so no one can sail off with everyone on board, slit our throats and throw our bodies overboard. I don’t have the heart to tell them they watch too many movies and just enjoy the spectacle from close quarters.

Finishing up on the ship I expect a period of relaxation, however when 21C reports we have finished, 21A requests I join them in the logging camp. SO instead of returning to the Jackpot, I go in the rib to the camp. I am confronted by one of the steepest hills I have ever seen, luckily the track is not straight up, it goes in a dog leg. I set off up the hill, by the time I reach the top, the back of my calves are aching, my lungs are nearly bursting. Funnily I am not really sweating. When I reach the top something strange happens and I start leaking water. I mean, from the sweat I produce I could fill an Olympic size swimming pool. We finish up and head off to the last camp and go through our last series of questions.

Back on the Jackpot, I discover my walk up the hill was the highlight of the day. They were taking bets as to which part of the hill I would stop at. No one won the sweep. I made the top in one go and according to the people left on the Jackpot at a very fast rate. It took them all by surprise. It is the highlight of the trip for me. I know I have done my job and impressed some young NZ Army guys at the stamina of the little fat bloke! Our night time stop is about 90 minutes away, all agree, fast as you can skipper!