The One with the Pirate Ship

Raring to go, we headed off on the stray bus for our mini adventure to the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga.

Our bus journey north in the terrible weather meant that we couldn't stop at Goat Island for Snorkelling so we visited a bird rescue centre instead. Here we met Woof Woof, a talking Tui bird (he sneezes and says he has a cold, and wishes us a Happy Christmas etc- all in a rather electronic sounding voice a bit C3P0-esque), and got to stroke a one legged Kiwi bird. The Kiwi is soft underneath but his top feathers are rather waxy like a teenager with too much gel on!

We also got to see and stroke two baby blue penguins, which were really really cute! The guy also told us of one bird he had (I think it was a Pukeko) who was crying out as though he was caught. When the guy reached the bird he found it standing on his own foot, and the Pukeko couldn't work out what was happening. The bird (when freed of his own feet) then proceeded to lecture his feet, squawking away!

We stopped at a Kauri forest, and the Hundertwasser Toilets (Gaudi-esque toilets, bright colours, and encorporating nature, and recycling) and finally arrived at the Pipi Patch in Paihia, our really cool home for the next few nights!

The next day we set off to Cape Reinga - the most northerly point of North Island. The weather was foul (we all look rather attractive in our macs?!) and we were almost blown off the edge of the most Northerly point of New Zealand!

On the way back we drove down 90 Mile Beach (Which is actually only 60 miles long!), and went in search of Tua, a shellfish which lurks in the sand. The key is top squeeze it open when it still has its tongue out (take it by surprise if you will). It looks like an ear, and you eat it there and then... doesn't taste of much! We also stopped for yummy Fish and chips on the way home!

The next day we set off early and took the ferry across to Russell where we boarded the R Tucker Thompson a big Schooner. The staff were having their Christmas party that day so were all dressed as pirates and so I hummed the theme of Pirates of the Carribbean as we set off. (Hey, it's better than "we are sailing....!")

We had a cream tea, and then had the chance to climb the rigging. I settled for crawling out to the large wooden beam at the front of the boat, (and did the Titanic arms for cheese value). We stopped in a bay, and went for a walk on a little island, and then had lunch on the boat, before setting off our cannon at a catamaran and whizzing back to Russell.

Going against the wind we were now using the engine on the boat, which gave out just off shore of Russell. We had to take the motorised inflatable to shore, and then find a place to moor which involved us scrambling up on to the jetty in a very un ladylike manner. I also got soaked due to a few stray waves. We always seem to find the adventure!

The next day we went for a tour of the Waitangi Treaty ground.

We had a fantastic tour with a Mauri guide, who gave us all the history. We saw the big Waka (canoe), and went into the meeting house or Maere. The Mauri culture is fascinating.

That afternoon we caught the Stray bus to Whangarei, where Graham met us. We spent the night camping with him and Jo about 40 minutes away. The pitch was right overlooking the beach. It couldn't have been better. We drank wine under the stars (including shooting stars and satelittes).

The next day we went for a walk to another beach, and had a mince pie under a Pohutakawa tree. It's weird to think we're just 3 days away from Christmas! Then sat and wathced some patient surfers, and boogie boarders and a couple of nesting Oyster Catchers, before catching the Stray bus back to Auckland.