Kayaking Cronies

Just a bunch of layabout retirees, out for their usual cool, calm and collected Wednesday paddle .. .. .. .. except that today six of us were out on the ocean side of Banks Peninsula, in 1m swells, and then struck a 20 kt westerly right in our face, when we were paddling (read: slogging) back down Lyttelton Harbour; yes, the tide was against the wind. Phew! It was a great adventure. We all live near Christchurch, in the South Island of New Zealand.

The cliffs around the Peninsula are largely volcanic, particularly around Lyttelton Harbour, which in an ancient composite shield volcano. There are striking red bands of soft rock in the cliffs, sometimes crossed by lava flows and dramatic dykes. It's a fascinating place to kayak, and we often find caves to paddle into, and through. You'll be able to see an old lighthouse in the photograph, high up on the cliffs. Access to this is prohibited now, due to damage from the 2010/2011 earthquakes.