Monday 23 March

We awoke this morning to overcast skies and drizzle so we didn't rush. We went into town about 9 and had a walk around and a coffee. We took the 10:30 ferry over to Russell, which only takes 10 to 15 minutes. The rain had just about stopped by now and it was brightening up. We first went to The Pompallier Mission where Catholic missionaries translated religious texts into Maori and printed and bound them. They had setup a pioneer printing workshop and a tannery and a guide gave us a tour. This side of the river was considered a hellhole, with lots of grog shops and houses of ill repute so they had their work cut out! The Wesleyans (sp?) and the Anglicans tried to run them out of town too.

After this we had a look at the old Anglican Church and then had lunch before we went on a boat trip around the Bay of Islands. We had only been going about 20 minutes when we came across a pod of about 30 bottle nose dolphins who were pleased to swim alongside us and show off. We hung around for a while then sped up again and left them behind. We saw Motuarohia (Roberton Island) where Captain James Cook anchored the Endeavour, one of 144 islands he counted here. We continued on to Cape Brett Peninsula where there is a lighthouse, and then on to the Hole in the Rock where our skipper very carefully steered the boat through. Then we continued through some more islands as we headed back. It was then time to go back to the hotel for a cold beer before going out for dinner.