We depart from Russell Wharf at ten o'clock for a day's sailing in the Bay of Islands. Weather is gorgeous despite earlier forebodings of a rain front passing through today. We have to remove our shoes and socks in order to protect the deck, so feel a bit like Robinson Crusoe.
An engine takes us away from the wharf and then we are soon under sail - reefed at first. There are gannets fishing, diving into the water close by, but then just sitting on the water like a gull. We've not seen this before. Then some terns fly by and some petrel. We don't know the species of the last two as they are gone fairly quickly.
It's very relaxing sitting on deck and watching the sights pass by as we head towards the outer islands.
Then a better one
Our boat hosts explain which island is which and some of the history as well as tales of their sailing journeys to Fiji and beyond. There are only four passengers on board, us and a honeymoon couple from Switzerland. This is great as there is plenty of room on the boat. You can move around the boat (hanging onto something with one hand at all times!) or go into the cabin for a warm if needed. Not necessary today so far though.
After sailing out and around some of the larger island we gradually return to one of the more sheltered inner islands and moor offshore. This is Roberton Island and is where he made the first landfall in NZ in 1769. We are taken to the beach in a small tender, basically a mini-inflatable. Trousers are rolled up, shoes in hand, as we disembark into shallow water and walk up the small shingle and sand beach. The tender abandons us on the beach - he'll be back in an hour he promises. We think about our Desert Island disc choices. There is a walk to the lookout at the top of the hill. We wait for our feet to dry and brush the sand off before putting our shoes on and starting off up the track. Lots of steep bits and steps before we come out on a viewing platform, and it's been worth the climb. Lunch is being prepared on the boat as we walk. Descending back to the beach we have a wander along the shore. It is and interesting island or rather two distinct land blocks joined by a sand spit which is occasionally washed way by the larger storms.
We photographed the island from the air yesterday
and this is the view from the sea
And the view from atop the lookout point.
Sitting on the beach we only get as far as our fourth essential song choice when true to his word Rick returns to pick us up, now we just have to climb back on board the yacht! This could be a challenge, but (believe it or not) is successfully negotiated by all.
Eric takes to the landing craft
Eric first to the food again
A pretty delicious lunch of lentil soup, ciabatta garlic bread, cheese and mushroom strudel - all home made. Plenty of Keri Keri oranges - supposedly the best on the planet, and they are tasty so we can't argue the point.
On the return journey the weather changes somewhat an is much windier with the boat heeled over with the side rails nearly into the water at times. As if to show us how fickle the weather conditions can be, about half way across an open stretch of sea the boat seems to come almost to a standstill. The wind had dropped completely. Our speed which had been about 8.5knots was now down to under 4. We had to tack our way across the bay in order to pick up the wind again. Across towards the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and then back to the landing jetty.
After such a good lunch we didn't want a large meal and settled on fish/veggie burger and chips. We did have little little concern after ordering the Hoki and chips that the menu back outside the shop said
Hoki - $4.
Fresh fish -$7.50
Thinking that the Hoki may have been hanging around the bay for weeks. It turns out that it is a deep water fish and is only sold frozen - Phew! And it tasted delicious.