Saturday 24th - Getting closer to the Pole

The title is not a reference to a request to Sophie to get closer to her opposition who happens to be Polish . . . nor is it a request for our dancers Beth and Gabby to get closer to the pole . . . rather it refers to our journey across the Cook Straits from North Island to South Island.

Bags delivered to hotel reception for 7.45 am – to be picked up by surly young man – now known as ‘Jennades’, whilst the girls breakfasted well. Tearful journey on the bus and all we knew what was going to happen when it stopped . . we’d have to get off !!! The bus did stop at the Ferry Terminal, JMS said some tearful words using his best choking voice as the tears flowed . . . sorry not told you why the girls were crying . . . we were saying goodbye to STEEEEVE. Quick JMS speech – handed him a card and sang a final song in memory of the best coach driver ever. Then a couple of photos and Jane then screamed ‘GROUP HUG’ and all 23 girls made a B line / hug for STEEVE !!! Poor Chap . . .

Got on the ferry – found a good base camp – girls settled down to sleep /cards whilst FW and CMD spent the whole journey on deck in the freeeeezing cold. Journey highlights were Georgia spotting a seal, followed by Jane spotting some seaweed followed by Fran and Anne-Marie narrowly missing out on the Junior Ship treasure hunt, followed by CMD / FW spotting a dolphin ( and debating whether it could have been a shark ?? A jumping shark I must see !!!?? ). It was in theses moments of calm that you realise what touring is all about . . the matches and the journeys. After one hour several of the girls were asleep and although I felt like shaking them up to get them out to watch the magnificent scenery I knew they needed their sleep . . so I took photos . .

Arrived at Picton and found Paul our new bus driver who was pleased that we were early. Lunch stop in Picton saw the staff meet an ex Kings girl in a café to cap the Evesham chap we met on the ferry . . . the world if you didn’t know is shrinking fast . . . we were soon expecting a chap from Warndon villages to come round the corner….. back on bus and a three hour journey to Nelson and the Richmond. The scenery again was fantastic as was the weather – which has not let us down. Despite the bends in the roads and the frequent calls of nature on board loo, the girls made it to Garin College in good spirits. The hosts were lovely and well organised and all went away very happy – including the staff.

A lovely end to a lovely day with the promise of more smiles to come tomorrow.

Shozz