Present: Dan, Dave, Baz, Lisa, Sheryl, Cathy, Sally – Ann, Titch, Other Rovers from all over the place.

What Happened:

We were sitting at a meeting a while back and the fishing trip was mentioned. ‘Cool!!!’ We thought. So we sent our deposits as soon as possible.

Next was the dilemma of how to get there. We scored some cheap as seats on the plane because they were flying at stupid times and were really pleased with that. Until suddenly City-Jet went into receivership and took our hard earned money with them. Never fear. $80 each lost so lets buy some ferry tickets.

Well finally got on the ferry on the best day possible for sailing into the Sounds. Got to Picton and waited to be picked up. Why not get a scooter? Great idea Dan and Dave. $20 for a whole hour. Hope we don’t get breath tested. Sweet as.

In the van and away we go. Lisa, what's that smell, strawberries??? No it can’t be. Why is my bag all wet??? Its all Lisa’s strawberry vodka. Oh well.

Stop at Rai Valley Tavern and have a beer and talk to some locals. Trying to get the hook on the pigs tail. Great game. Way to go Sheryl and Dan. On the road again, Dan what are you doing??? I want a stick. Finally got one off a tree as we passed. Lets throw it to each other Titch. Okay. Dangerous game.

Wow this is Duncans Bay. Cool place to be. Unload our stuff and get a good bed and now what. Lets go for a swim. Don’t slip on the boat ramp Titch. Water is cold. Daves nipples proved that.

Back at the batch and waiting for others to show up. As they arrive long time no see is said a lot and finally Jim, Jim, Ya-Ba-Da-Ba-Doo, Sheryl Jim is here. A long night follows and not much sleep is had by all.

Up early and onto the boats. Quick go back we need an O ring for the keg. Oh and some ice would have been good too. Fishing well lets look at the photos to see about that.

What a successful day with Baz getting the biggest fish, Dan possibly the smallest fish ever, and Dave with 6 fish in five minutes on two hooks. Amazing stuff.

A bit of scallop dredging when the weather packed in, and then back to the batch for tea.

Where have the others gone?? Back to Rai to vote. Oh yeah, it is election weekend. We did special votes before leaving home.

Another night of drinking and then a clean up the next day. The OO boys thought they were so great getting booked on a 4.00pm fast ferry when we were on the 9.30pm slow boat. Who's getting out of Picton first.

Slow trip back to Picton, via Blenheim so Lisa could go to the bank, which wasn’t open Because it was a Sunday. Then in to Picton only to realise that the ferries were all cancelled. Well lets sleep in the ferry terminal. Off to the Toot and Whistle and onto the Johnny Walker. Watching the TAB Sports Café Rocky Awards, then back to the terminal to sleep. Wake up Monday morning far to early by the IHC kids on the other side of the terminal, ferries still not sailing.

Things to do in Picton when you are stranded!

1. Hire a scooter (already done that)
2. Tour the Edwin Fox
3. Play Mini Golf
4. Go for a walk around the bays
5. Go Christmas Present shopping
6. Play hack in the park – What's that next to Mickey Mouse ( Donald Duck )
7. Get your Hair cut (Sheryl and Lisa)
8. Get your Hair washed (Cathy and Sally-Ann)
9. Go back to the Toot and Whistle and see who else is still there. Look it’s the OO boys
10. Get Really bored and decide to pay more and fly home (Dan and Dave)
11. Just get really bored (Everyone)

Well Dave and Dan flew home on a tiny little plane and the rest finally got out of Picton after Ten on Monday night. I would like to thank the Nelson Rover Crew for a great weekend and for helping us out when we needed it.

Cheers Guys,