Chlorinated but energised, we could no longer avoid the inevitable. It was time to face reality and the long journey back to Wellington to start work the following day. Sob! Still, we had a pleasant and scenic trip, avoiding the end-of-holiday madness and mayhems by avoiding State Highway 1, instead returning via the Wairarapa. It worked a treat too. No gridlocks!

One really funny thing happened when we stopped at a Carterton pub for dindins on the way home. We saw was this huge scary-arsed guy, covered in tats, wearing gang memorabilia, standing at the bar. However, on closer inspection, we realised this bald dude, covered in piercings, was actually holding his cigarette behind his back, so as not to inflict his smoke on his pals. Too cute!