Start – Hipango Park
Finish – Whanganui
Daily Distance – 20 km
TA Distance – 1397 km
On the TA, as in cheap slasher movies, finishing something off is never as simple as you expect. Having
left a relatively tiny 20km for today and timed our approach to Whanganui to coincide with an outgoing
tide, it was still bloody hard work. With minimal help from the current and the now expected headwind
further assisted by the addition of waves going was slow. Still, while arrival into Whanganui may have
been an hour later than I’d hoped, make it we did. High fives were exchanged, toasting with alcohol being
out of the question until we find a liquor store, and with a final affectionate pat of our trusty canoe it was
time to pitch tents and think about learning to walk again.
The afternoon has actually been a bit of a rush. Chris and I just managed to fit in showers, laundry and
food shopping prior to the 17:15 showing of Star Wars. The Whanganui cinema is actually a converted
theatre with only a couple of screens, but has a real charm when compared to modern, purpose built
venues. In fact, that same character really applies to much of the Whanganui central business district.
Incidentally, without spoilers, we both very much enjoyed the film and it was a fitting end to a great river
journey. Unfortunately, because our ride back to the holiday park was in the same showing, there was no
time for a post film beer. Those will have to wait until Bulls in a few days.
There were no photos from today, so here are a few from various other days on the river:
