Tintin in the Land of the Long White Cloud

Snowy, Poppy and Hamish told Tintin that Rainie was hosting Tiny Tuesday and wouldn’t it be a good idea if they visited her.  Captain Haddock got the Aurora ready and they set sail across the ditch.  They had a pretty uneventful trip until they ran into a giant squid off Nelson and they had to leave the Aurora for repairs. 

Well it’s a long way from Nelson to Timaru but fortunately they bumped into Professor Calculus who was working on his air terrain and sea super vehicle (ATASS) and said he would be happy to take them on it’s maiden voyage.  Unfortunately Professor Calculus misheard where they wanted to go and due to strong North Westerlies and they wound up on Stewart Island in a rata forest even further away from Timaru than Nelson. 

Here they are asking Kiri the Kiwi for directions back to Timaru.  The dogs were all very well behaved to Kiri and after exchanging Kia Ora, they even offered her some worms from Captain Haddocks fishing stocks.  Ten thousand thundering typhoons he said when he found out.  Fortunately Kiri had left by then but first she gave them a wonderful rendition of Pokarekare Ana.  She really has a wonderful voice.

Honestly, there is not much of a brain between Captain Haddock and Tintin but you would have thought Professor Calculus would have known better.  I mean "Rainie’s in Timaru go South East I think" is nothing like “It’s raining in Timaru, go to Stewart Island” is it?  Well they have found somewhere to stay and who knows, they may even make it to Timaru by next week.