26/10/08

Yesterday we hired a car and drove around a bit.  We went for a ride on a little steam train which is run by enthusiasts and then to the Waitangi Treaty grounds where 500 Maori Chiefs signed away their sovereignty to  Queen Victoria in return for protection against the French. The Brits signed a version in English, and the Chiefs a version in Maori and arguments continue to this day as to exact translations.

We saw a modest water fall and today a much more impressive one at Whangarei where we also visited the harbour which is a long way up an estuary and a mind boggling Clock Museum with over 1300 clocks of every imaginable description.  Steve and I had lunch at the marina,  but Hamish held out for a Big Mac with all the trimmings.  He'd been suffering  withdrawal symptoms.

The front is moving through, we were dodging showers most of the day.  The Wind is currently SSW Force 5 which is not ideal for heading South but tomorrow it should clock to the West.  We will try to do a 30/40 mile hop tomorrow if the wind does change as advertised.  The plan is to be in Auckland on Friday the 31^st.  I will stay on about 2 weeks to be confident the repairs are organized and then return to England.

I'm unable to log on to the wi-fi at the moment so I can't include any pictures.  Will try again later.