The weather was perfect and we had a successful trip out to Waiheke Island and then onto Coromandel. En route we were overtaken by this wing-sailed vessel doing about twice the speed of the 10 knot wind.

We believe this is a small version of the catamaran that New Zealand are building for the next America's Cup.

Chris gradually recovered from his jet lag. Then we had a day in Coromandel, walking up through the attractive town with many well preserved buildings to Driving Creek where there is a wonderful narrow gauge railway.

Started by a potter in the 1970s to extract clay from the local hillside, the railway gradually extended especially after the bank manager had told the owner that he had to make some money to pay for his loans, hence the railway was opened to the public.

The narrow guage railway climbs steadily up the steep hillside using a variety of techniques including a double decker bridge and a number of zig zags where thedriver has to walk to the other end of the train to reverse up the next section of line.

Chris at the top of the hill with its magnificent view overlooking the Hauraki Gulf.

Unfortunately this was to be the last day of reliable weather. We had intended to continue on to Great Barrier Island again but the forecast was so poor we diverted to Kawau. The rain and wind came as forecast but we had a secure anchorage in Mansion House Bay. We had sufficient dry weather to have a good walk and another tour of the interesting house, complete with its 6 massive kauri pillars which were cut locally, sent to the UK for turning and then returned all the way back to Kawau for the adornment of the drawing room.

We sailed across to the river that flows up to Warkworth and gradually explored up as far as we could in Gryphon 2 before anchoring. The following morning was sunny and we had a good 50 minute run up to Warkworth in the dinghy but by the time we returned the wind had begun to increase again, blowing hard against the incoming tide and kicking up a nasty steep sea that got us very wet with waves coming right over the top, Chris did a good job at bailing out. The weather forecast was again dire so we left earlier than we had intended for the safety and security of Gulf Harbour. It was as well we did because the next day, and for a number of days after Chris left us, the wind blew continuously at near gale force. The weather was so bad that on the morning that Chris left us the Auckland ferry was replaced by a bus! A frustrating few days that ended what was otherwise a very enjoyable visit.... although it did'nt do much for the skipper's hair.

Just like home!

Our time with Chris enabled us to catch up on home news which was great but what we learnt of the current National situation has left us with little enthusiasm for good old UK at the moment. Let's hope that things can only get better.