Cast off at 11.50, moored at 16.15
Drove zodiac ashore before departure to enjoy some last snorkelling and spent 45 minutes swimming in the shallow reefs around the edge of the bay, chasing shoals of silver sided fish in the cloudy water. Fun to take Alex's underwater camera and shoot them up close - promise to download these soon!
Set off at 11.50 under power in light winds only of NE5kn. Passed another large pod of dolphins and took more lengthy video footage (can't get enough of these magical beings) - videos take longer to download so again watch for this in later instalments OK! Came into Russell and hooked up to a mooring buoy just off the waterfront of this old colonial town - once the capital of NZ but also known as the hellhole of NZ for its shady past of hookers and sea dogs! Also boasts the oldest Anglican church in NZ. Lively waterfront restaurants along the promenade - but plumped for wood-ovened pizzas served up by yet another hunky Mauri with right bicep covered in Bob Marley tattoo talking about his time working in Vancouver and his love of the Canucks ice hockey team! Super friendly people - genuinely laid back. Met two other Mauris in local bar as I was enjoying a cool beer and writing my post cards. One of them was wearing a Red Sea Divers T-shirt which said Hurgada, Egypt on it - and since I used to work for Red Sea Divers in Sharem-El-Sheikh way back in 1979 when it was then Israel, well, it was a great way to start a conversation!
Launched the zodiac from the beach at about 9.30pm and made our way back to the boat, singing all the way, with ice cream for dessert.
Last night aboard "Shard" - thank you for a wonderful 6 days on board in the Bay of Islands!
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