All,
Last year some good friends of mine, Brett and Kirsty were at Rotto during a big storm and their
story prompted me to promise myself that this year, when the
opportunity came around, that I should make the effort and see if I
could capture this awesome event.
On Monday night this week, the forecast predicted an 8m swell and 40 knot winds and
they were on the money. I woke up at 0700 and sure enough the swell
was cranking and off I went on my Rotto adventure!
I met the ferry at 0930 and the crossing was on the rough side, I
guess it would be fair to say! About half the passengers were using
the beaut little bags that were handed out but fortunately I was not
one of those lucky few!
On landing at the island I retrieved my bike off the crew and set off
for the West end of Rotto.
I was rugged up in my skiing gear with a Driazabone and ski pants and
my trusty orange Crocks and off I went, peddling into a 40 knot gail
with rain storms and hail.
It was slow going for a while as there were far more up hills than
down and the driving rain made it hard to see for a while, but I
finally got there before midday and set up for some shots.
Brett was right, it was wild and spectacular and I am glad I had
followed through with the adventure. There is nothing like Mother
nature to remind you who is boss every now and again!
The trip home was a walk in the park by comparison to the trip out. A
30 knot SW breeze up my butt and more down hills than up which was
lucky because I reckon my total weight would have been over 100kg
with all the camera gear and wet weather gear. I was fast running
out of steam before I found a trusty Mrs Macs pie at the Jordie
General Store and a Mars bar!
The trip home on the ferry was very sedate by comparison to the trip
out. The swell had settled to only 5m and the wind had dropped to a
nice 15-20 knot sw.
Hope you like the shots troops!
