Russell... Time To Leave...

 It was a wild day... I had lain awake the night before

listening to the wind and rain. I was booked on the bus

from Paihia to Auckland. When the weather is too rough

the  ferries between Russell and Paihia are cancelled.

If that happened I would be going nowhere!

 But despite the weather the brave little ferries made it across

this strip of churned up water and didn't sink

under the pelting rain.

The ferry skipper was marvellous... "Hop on Board I'll look after

your bag"... And hopped off as the ferry rocked violently

leaving a chasm between the deck and the wharf!

 I took these photos from Paihia after I had arrived there as the 

next ferry arrived. I dashed out in the rain and cick, click, clink...

It was so spectacular.

At the end of the wharf is the Pier Cafe. I dived in there

out of the wind and rain. I had 45 minutes to wait for my bus

so coffee and a late breakfast was the perfect thing...

Then on my way to Auckland...

Feeding the 5000...

This tiny old church built in 1913, 100 years ago
has all of it's life, until recently, belonged to the Methodists.
I told you about it in a post on my blog about
'My Week In Russell'


Well it now belongs to the Baptist's who succeeded in tendering
for it. Recently there was a celebration
opening service.

 
As is usual in Russell, the whole town attended, plus out
of towners involved in Baptist churches in Paihia, Kawakawa and
Doubtless Bay. There were also people from the
Baptist Association in Auckland.
There was a big crowd and lots of excitement.

  There is a strong Maori element in this area and in this church...
So Maori culture and traditions are observed in lots of ways.
On this day everybody was asked to gather outside...
For the Karanga (to call) into the church.
There is a Kaikaranga (person who calls) for the Tangata Whenua
(the home people) who calls out in Maori to come.
Then another Kaikaranga for the Manuhiri (visitors) answers.

Everybody trooped inside...

And found a seat. It's only a little church but seats about 200.
The service started with a Powhiri (welcome) and Mihi (greeting)
given in Maori by the eldest Maori male... In this case Bob
who is sitting up the front on the right with Miles the pastor.
The taumata (seat) they are sitting on is the Kaumatua's (old man's or orators) seat.
On a Marae (Maori meeting house) it is always at the back on the
left just inside the door. The Maori men of wisdom (age)
sit here. When somebody speaks there is always a Waiata (response)
usually in the form of a song.
On this occasion several people spoke and there were
several responding Waiata's.
 

After the service there was the unveiling of the new sign.

Everybody sat around in the sun till lunch arrived...

Here is is on the trailer...

Lifted off onto a long trestle table...
Yes... A spit roasted whole pig and a spit roasted
whole sheep... The Maori people
are absolutely first class at hospitality and
catering for and feeding a crowd...
Not 5000 on this occasion but probably 200 hungry people

Expertly carved... The crackling lifted off...
And we all went inside to tables groaning with food.
It was a very unique occasion.

I'm On My Way South...

I'm planning to go slowly south...
But first I'm going to Christchurch... Again!
It's my Dad's 95th birthday so I couldn't let that
go past without a visit to see him and celebrate.
So I'm on my way to my friends house in Russell
where I'm going to park in their driveway and leave my bus.


From Tokerau Beach this was my first stop...
Ti Beach in the Bay of Islands.
It was a lovely sunny morning so I parked in the sun
on the side of the road. Opposite was a bakery
so it was coffee and a croissant
in the sun as I enjoyed a different beach.

In the other direction, still Ti Beach, is Waitangi,
the historic site where the Treaty was signed.
Northland is a magical area of New Zealand...
Every bend in the road presents another divine beach.

Here I am, parked in the sun...

Then on my way again. This is Paihia... I came
back here the next morning, on the passenger ferry from Russell,
 to get the bus to Auckland airport.

But the next bend in the road...

And the next... Bring me to the next beach... Te Haumi...

It's very tidal...

And the tide is out...

Past the Mangoves that grow into trees here
in the warm climate... Past the entrance to the camping ground...

I've turned left here and driving through a small settlement...
Opua... A big marina has developed here in the last few years...
But it's also the place to get the car ferry to Okiato...
And onto Russell.

Down another hill and nearly there.

The last bend... Two lanes here. In the summer time when this is a very
popular tourist destination there is aways a long queue of
cars waiting for the ferry.

The narrow stretch of water that separates Okiato and
Russell from the mainland...
It's a haven for yachts and oyster farms.

I'm on the ferry... You can see the landing ramp on the other side.
From there it's 10km to Russell town.