December 30

Today I was up at 0700 for our last day in the Bay of Islands. Breakfast was tea and toast. Then we had to prepare for both the day and moving on that evening. The car was packed and we were all ready by 0815. I checked out and moved the car to a blank spot. We got to the town wharf by 0830 and enquired about our discount (for taking two Fuller’s trips on consecutive days) and were told we would have to get it from the place we booked (the motel). We waited for the boat – and made sure we were on the correct one as per the manifest.
The (Cream) cruise left at 0930 and we sat up the front on the top deck. Here we met a Dutch couple and their two young children. We chatted about a number of things during the cruise and lunchtime.
The boat (catamaran) stopped at Russell to pick up some more and then we headed off on the cruise proper. We delivered some parcels (wine for New Year and a rubbish bin, and a paper at another), had a good look around at a number of different islands and learned of their history and landed on a resort island for lunch at 1230. We had some lunch and then chatted with an English couple from just out of London (the husband was an apiarist), and the Dutch couple after lunch (while their children were playing in the water and on the beach).
We were back on the boat about 1400 and saw more islands and beaches, then through the hole in the rock. We returned via Cape Brett and more islands and beaches. At one, we were supposed to pick someone up, but no-one showed so we continued on with some extra free time, which allowed us to travel inshore near other features on the way back to Russell. We were back in Paihia by 1615 and to the motel a few minutes later. We got the refund and left the motel.
We called in to have a look at the falls, shopped at Woolworths and then drove down the road to Whangerei. After checking into the motel, settling in (there were two rooms, including one with a stove) and having a cup of tea, we went out to Northlands club for tea. During the cooking, we chatted with the chef, and on his suggestion, we went out to Whangerei Heads to see it before going back to motel. On our way back we called in and shopped at New World and soon got back to the motel.
I downloaded photos, charged all the batteries, started to name photos and started to write my blog, but I was tired and so went to sleep fairly quickly instead of finishing everything.