Mansion House Bay & Tiritiri Matangi Island

Everyone swam before breakfast and then with anchor weighed we made our way the short distance to Mansion House. Once the residence of Sir George Grey the Governor of New Zealand, the grounds have also been home to zebra, monkeys and other exotic animals.  Of the fauna collection, all that remains are the peafowl , wallabies as well as a zebra skin rug in the mansion house, not sure if it is the same zebra though.  We took a rather energetic walk through the grounds and got to see peafowl chicks on our way to what is left of the copper mine on the other side of the island.  Somewhat reminiscent of disused mines in Cornwall in England the copper mine has an interesting history - check out this link for more info - Kawau Island - An early Cornish mining community in New Zealand

Once back at the boat we returned to the Kawau Boating Club in Bon Accord Harbour and topped up with water at $20 for 10 minutes (around 40 litres per dollar!) before heading for Tiritiri Matangi Island, one of the few islands that is 100% pest free. The anchorage was on a lee shore and with 20+ knots of wind it was not ideal, so the skipper elected to stay on board whilst we took the dinghy ashore to explore. We pulled the dinghy well up the beach to avoid the waves breaking over the boat and followed the coast path around and up to the lighthouse. The birdlife was prolific and with watering stations around the paths and benches to sit on, we could quietly take in all that nature had to offer us and enjoy watching the birds come and go. Back at the dinghy the tide had dropped so with the help of some driftwood to use as rollers we pulled the boat down the beach and with a good push, and with Pearl and Juliet on the paddles, we were quickly clear of the beach. With engine kicked into life we headed back to Te Kaihōpara enjoying the wonderful distraction of a blue penguin just a few metres from us.

With the anchor up we motored into a short chop, spray flying. As Juliet and I made our way aft we were soaked by the flying spray and looking aft to the wheel house, noticed a wicked grin on the skippers face, obviously enjoying our predicament, not funny, except it was!!  Next stop Army Bay, Whangaparāoa Peninsula where we anchored for our last night afloat. Pearl cooked up a storm in the galley and with a glass of two of vino we contemplated the last week and half.  It was great to reminisce and share memories. Juliet is already booked up for the November trip, Ross can’t decide between Bay of Islands, Tonga, Fiji or north coast of Australia, so has some thinking to do and Pearl is so in love with the ocean she is thinking of a return trip in just a few weeks.  One way or another, the ocean’s calling.