Time to Play Tourists

Saturday 17 July 2021

Today’s constant wind and rain had us fully kitted up in our wet weather gear for our tiki-tour of Russell.  As expected the Happy Boat from Paihia was cancelled due to the rough conditions, but to the rescue came a tour bus, which left Paihia at the same time as the ferry, but instead, travelled over the hill to Opua – our part of the world – and onto the car ferry for the short hop across the inlet to the road on the other side.  From there it was just a 10 minute ride to Russell.

“Can we catch the bus here in Opua, when it goes onto the car ferry?”  I asked the lady when I rang the booking office?

“I don’t see a reason why not?” came the reply   “Is that a yes?”, I inquired further.  To which the helpful lady took my phone number and promised to call me back with the answer.

Meanwhile Sam, Harm and I made our way to the local car ferry – Matt deciding to stay in camp – watched the bus drive aboard, and so WE did likewise – paying our $1 for the trip across. 

Sam then chatted with the driver through the window of his bus and got the reply … “Sure … just wait till the other cars are off the ferry and then I’ll open my door and you can climb in”

So it was that we made our way into Russell, the rain and wind continuing all the time.  Strolling around Russell we soon fell upon the museum, where we spent a good hour or more, studying the many exhibits depicting significant events and features of the area.

From here it was onto the Duke of Marlborough … where we indulged ourselves in a wonderful lunch, amid the décor and “vibe” of an establishment with a history back to 1827 – it seemed like a museum in itself.  Of course 1827 isn’t a long time ago if you hail from the UK or Europe – but significantly early round these parts.

As we sat down to lunch, my phone rang … the, by now familiar and very authentic, “QUACK, QUACK, QUACK”–  ring tone played out … “I wonder who that could be?”  I thought …

It was the lady from the ferry booking office … “Oh, she’s ringing to tell me that we CAN catch the bus on the car ferry…”, I assumed … but no …

“Hi Robert, I understand you’ve made it to Russell … just calling to let you know that the ferries are running again from 3:00pm, but the last shuttlebus bus back to Paihia, via Opua, will be leaving Russell at 2:05” 

“Wow”, I thought … that’s service above and beyond !  How thoughtful. Harm was equally taken aback by the call, just shaking his head in disbelief that someone would ring and be so helpful.

In the end, after a wonderful lunch, Sam decided to walk the 10km or so back to Opua – spending another $1 to catch the car ferry the last step of the way.  Harm and I took the Russell to Paihia ferry – NOT the Happy Ferry, it was still too rough for that small boat.

On arrival in Paihia, Harm got a chance to meet my ever-tolerant wife Linda, and then decided to walk back to Opua, around the coastal track – in an effort to clock up a few more fitness-steps.

With Linda still hold-up in Paihia, recuperating, it was great to have the opportunity to catch up … and it was comforting to see Linda feeling so well.

Linda gave me a tour of the local “sites of interest” … the library, the doctor’s clinic, the 4-Square supermarket, and the address of the earlier, before moving to the Bounty Motel.

Linda has even joined the local library and has the card to prove it

My return to Opua, around 5:00pm,  was via taxi … walking 5 or 10 km in full wet weather gear and gum books NOT being part of my “regime”. Around this time the Big Man above turned OFF the wind and rain “taps”.  And within the space of, maybe 10 minutes, shadows appeared, the low light of the setting sun shone yellow through the clouds and patches of blue began to dominate the sky

On arrival back at the marina, who should be walking across the car park was Harm, trying to raise Matt on the phone to come and open the gate.  About an hour later, Sam stepped aboard  and once again our jolly gang were back together once more.

Checking my emails for any news from Vic Health on our Quarantine Exemption Application, I was pleased to receive a request for further information and clarification from a manager in a department titled … COVID-19 determinations Unit, Compliance & Enforcement Branch | Engagement & Delivery Division, COVID-19 Response | Department of Health

The VicHealth inquiry immediately became our highest collective priority, with evidence of flights, COVID tests, personal addresses, passports, and travel movements – being sent via return email. 

Again, the good news is that we haven’t received a NO … with the extra information sent, hopefully satisfying them of any concerns they might have.

The long range weather forecast appear to be turning in our favour … let’s hope we can take advantage of it soon!

Smooth seas, fair breeze and time to play tourists  

Rob Latimer