Journeying north

Hi
Fairly quiet day today. We left Mimiwhangata around 0830 and motored in very light conditions for about 2 hours to Whangamumu - mainly to fill the water tanks and top up the batteries. Had a bit of a wake up call on the way. About a mile north of Home Point Jim had what he thought was a good look around before going below to check on the water maker. After about 2 minutes Gina yelled out that there was a boat dead ahead. Gina was about to disengage the auto pilot to manually alter course which would have done, but in the event a quick dash aft and a 30 degree course alteration on the pilot saved what would have been a very nasty situation. There had been a largish tinny with about 8 people on board in front of us - fishing. The colour of the boat must have blended perfectly with the sea colour and so we didn't see them until almost too late. We passed about 15 metres away at nearly 7 knots! Things like that really ram home the lesson that eternal vigilance is so important.
Whangamumu is a great anchorage. It's a deep sheltered bay in what is otherwise quite a rock bound coast and sheltered in almost all winds. "Bella Via" (a Canadian catamaran which was at Norsand during our time there) and another Canadian boat as well as a German one were already here when we came in. Later in the afternoon we went ashore to the old whaling station which at its peak in 1927 processed 74 whales in that year. The ruins are plainly visible and all explained on a DOC notice explaining where everything was and how everything worked. Prior to 1910 when a steam powered chaser arrived they used to go to sea in open rowing whalers and there were heavy set nets"Amanda D" which hampered the whales' progress enough that they could get in close with harpoons. Then they had to tow the whale carcasses back in (at least 3-4 miles) by rowing. Then the carcasses were winched up a concrete ramp and the processing began. Whatever we think about whaling these days those guys must have been hard men and out in all weathers as well.
While there Gina cut Jim's hair which felt quite bizarre in that setting. We were speculating at Noel's likely comments while this was happening - probably something like "that's not enough; take some more off!!
We're intending to sail into the BOI tomorrow. Here we are only 5 miles south of Cape Brett so shouldn't take too long. If the wind direction is favourable we might spend the night in Paroa Bay (Jim's old haunt) before heading for Russell.
Cheers,
J & G