Went for a drink last night (as has become the tradition), but I've just noticed how many American mannerisms I have taken on. Like I say 'Hey' instead of 'Hi' and 'Can I get' instead of 'please may I have' and 'I'm good thanks' instead of "I'm fine thank you very much for asking old bean'. It's all a bit worrying, but it's also all part of the experience.
This morning Briggsy gave an excellent display in toaster use whilst trying to toast our crumpets. She'd shoved the grill in too far and couldn't retrieve it. I know you're all thinking that she put a knife in to try and jimmy it out and shorting the whole of the north island in the process, but no she's not that stupid. Instead she grabbed hold of the hot element, burning a hole in her fleece in the process. I once did that with my Mum's oven gloves. She eventually retrieved the crumpets with a rolled up paper and they were just fine.
We were picked up at 10.30 by Kiwi River Safaris for our $90 white water rafting excursion. We had an hour drive to somewhere small and unprouncable and within no time we were togged up and about to set sail on the Grade 3/4 River Rangiataki rapids. With all the rain recently the river is in full flow. We had a crash course in what to do and what not to do, you gotta love Kiwi safety talks. They go out of there way to make sure you have fun. In Britain they are over protective as they are frightened of litigation. Here you're in for a fun ride. There a fine balance between safety and a wild ride and the Kiwis get it just right.
We were straight into the rapids and the Guides instructions were clear and the raft surprisingly sturdy, but still the rapids make it behave in a most unpredictable manner. It's great for the adrenalin. The top part of the River has the toughest of the Rapids, but we sailed through these with no problems. When we got to the bottom we had enough time for a bit of fun as Briggsy was volunteered for a toilet flush. The basic idea is that you paddle the raft back up the river to base of a small waterfall and all the water flushes over the victim. Briggsy very kindly volunteered me for the next flush which was very refreshing.
Having negotiated the worst of the rapids without losing anyone overboard we hit a rock at relatively low speed. The nose of the boat dipped down, the raft did a bit of a spin, but nothing too violent. I was looking at Briggsy and for some reason she decided that she would fall out. I think the boat just caught her wrong. She showed excellent form all the way into the water (still in her sitting position). I offered her my oar (no, not to make sure she stayed submerged) and dragged the drowned rat back aboard. Her first comment when aboard was "I'm okay and I don't need CPR". I have to confess that i spent the rest trip smiling. Oh for a waterproof camera.
The middle section was rather calm and a little like 'Deliverance' without the squealing pigs, but it did give you the chance to look round at the beautiful scenery. In the final long rapid section the guide was intent on giving us a dunking, by slamming us into rocks, making us do spins and then standing up. It culminated in us having to try and squeeze the raft between 2 rocks by putting every one on one side and trying to go through the gap on our sides. Of course the end result was the raft flipping and us all getting a dunking. With the raft upside down we all had to get out from underneath and hold onto the sides. after a minute or 2 I was wondering where Briggsy was lifted the raft and there she was hiding in an air pocket having dropped her paddle.
Great Day, Great fun, Great way to add to my credit card balance. Sorry to pick on you Briggsy.
