Then Fiordland did what it does best — changed the script. A big weather system was rolling in. Khan and Cam moved the boat to a more sheltered bay to ride it out, leaving Norts and Troy at basecamp where they’d eventually be met by strong winds and broken tent poles. They’d sleep on the boat, tuck in tight, and hope for the best.
As the wind built, they were joined by a family on a 50ft yacht — a couple and their two sons, Andrew and Kyle, practical as hell and absolute legends. They lent a heavier anchor setup, likely saving the boat from ending up in the rocks. That night, the rain hammered down, and cooking became a soggy affair. They’d been saving a leg of lamb for a treat — but once they cracked the packet, a sour smell hit them. They ignored it (rookie move), roasted it anyway, and then swiftly fed it to the fish. Along with a cabbage they’d accidentally melted a plastic lid into.
The next morning Cam reached for his Kindle only to realise the boat was flooding. Bilge pump failure. Thankfully, their new neighbours helped them get sorted. But their window to escape was closing. They didn’t fancy getting trapped by the next weather front, so made the call to pull the pin — after catching a few bonus bluenose tuna on the way out.
"No trophy stag. No five-star feed. Just seven days of full-throttle Fiordland chaos - soaked to the bone, stomachs full of fish, and a yarn we'll be telling for years."
