Having picked up two lovely hitchhikers on our way to Cape Reinga we were delighted to discover they were Kiwi’s. They were pilgriming to Marsden Cross, Oihi Bay, Bay of Islands on Christmas Day, via sailboat, and subsequently we were invited to join them.
Not having any other Christmas Day plans we gladly took up the offer and rose very early (very, very, early) Christmas morning to tear into Santa presents before we bundled selves, clothes and picnic into the car and headed for Opua to meet our skipper, crew and boat.
The morn had dawned cool and clear. The swells just right for a gentle sail, despite the muddied waters from storms previous. The “Septimus’ was a lovely vessel, handcrafted and unique and our skipper was a fantastic fellow who quickly took our boys under his wing, giving them the run down on how they were to chip in to help crew. The boys were reciprocally excited, clambouring down manholes, and pumping up liferafts. We set sail with Mr 9 yrs at the Till – delight lighting up his face!
We raised our flags to accompany our pilgrimage – Greenpeace and The Confederated Chiefs flag!!. Our destination was the 200 year anniversary of the first Christian message being preached by Samual Marsden at Oihi Bay. Apparently a service every year has been conducted to commerate this occasion. The Septimus and crew pilgrimaged frequently to this but because of this years special celebration this time it was to be held on Christmas day as it had been 200 years ago.
It turned out that all of Usinabus had mighty fine sealegs, bar one – l'uttle ole me. Based on majority rules this spurred Hamish’s desire to turn to sea following the end of bus adventures….given how green I felt it is going to take some mighty fine persuading to get that idea to fly!!!!
We set out with calm waters yet sufficient winds to sail, leading to the full experience of our first time on a sailboat. We managed to hold up just out from shore and leap into the liferaft to row to shore to listen to the service with all the dignitaries. The boys, not quite so intrigued with so many speeches, hymns and suchlikes played their Christmas game of Cluedo, while the very descendant Samuel Mardsen (junior) of the great Samual Marsden himself preached his message to the masses.
Once the service was completed it was time to crack forth the Christmas bounty in picnic style and partake of this in peaceful surroundings...
…well that was the plan except instead, it was partaken amidst sounds of loudly voiced protests. It seemed the several altercating parties finally were able to make an amends and thus the final hours of time spent at the setting were not quite so jarring, (and I did get that peaceful lunch after all).
It was a special sense to be at a spot that so much had gone before. Where so many different ideas, personalities, cultural differences and new ideas had met, clashed, gelled and clashed again. It was that very same sense that held us intrigued all around the Bay of Islands; everywhere we went there was evidence of bygone eras, cultural clashes, new relationships forged, and much, much history. This is not something that we had experienced so evidently in the south. My New Zealand history has improved 100 fold having now travelled, seen and experienced these things and I know the boys have gained from our travels an improved appreciation of how their country came to be.
Once again upon shore, having gratefully fulfilled the new experience of sailing, complete with wind swept hair and suntanned faces, we parted ways with our new sailing friends in the early evening and meandered back to our bus. It was parked in Kerikeri at the house that we were housesitting for the week.
We were pleased to welcome our friends who had travelled to Cape Reinga with us, back to stay with us once again for a few days. We managed to celebrate 4 birthdays between us over the space of the Christmas-New Year week.
Farewelling them we then welcomed home the house owners and proceeded to spend a very fun New Years Eve celebrating with Thai inspired themes (their latest homeschool project) thus had major water fights, drank coconut juice, ate pad thai and coconut pudding and had a great time.
Enjoying all that Kerikeri had to offer we ended up staying in the area with 3 different families for the next 6 weeks. The hot sun saw us swimming daily, taking many trips to beaches for picnics and enjoying spending time deepening new friendships.
We took a day trip over to view the mighty Tane Mahuta, the largest living Kauri tree, in the Hokianga, and spent time revelling in the Kauri forests of old.
Given it was so close to Waitangi Day and we were the closest we would ever likely be to Waitangi, it was decided we would attend the Waitangi Day celebrations in Waitangi.
Not that keen myself at the thought of taking four young kids to a possible atmosphere of protest and disharmony (well that was all I had ever seen on the TV of Waitangi day celebrations!!) I was somewhat reluctant at the prospect, and demanded that if we should go then we should take the bus.
It turned out, that that proved to be a mighty fine idea, for it seems a big silver bus demands a sense of VIP parking at 5am. We got front row views near the flag pole. As for disharmony - bah! Those televisions love sensationalism don't they. It was peaceful, cultural rich and fascinating. A unique experience.