Tiare Taporo III

Hi everyone,
This will be a relatively short email - Jim's daughter Charlotte will be pleased!! We have had a pleasant few days in the Bay and our thanks to Russell Radio for allowing us to use one of their moorings in Russell. Thanks again also for Stewart and Louise's hospitality the other night. It was a very enjoyable interlude. We are gradually getting used to living on the boat and cutting the umbilical ties with the land but have to say were subject to some temptation in Russell - not least was a cafe breakfast on the waterfront. We also met Richard and Bev who both operate the radio on a part time volountary basis. We'd have to say that we always find Bev one of the most friendly and personable people we have heard on the air. Sorry Stewart (and Richard) - don't mean to denigrate you or anyone else at Russell Radio at all!!
While there we visited Pompallier House because Gina has a family connection there. Her grandmother, Louise Worsfold lived there for a time during the period of the Greenway's ownership which was from 1879 to 1904. Louise was the daughter of Jane Mair who was Hamlyn Greenway's sister. Jane was widowed and had been married to Henry Mair who was a son of Gilbert Mair who originally came to NZ in the 1830's and was well known as a Pacific Is. trader. No doubt A.B. Donald would have been aware of him - probably even knew him. Henry had been murdered in Vanuatu on Espiritu Santo and that's one of the places we intend to visit next year.
We are thinking of heading off down the coast tomorrow as the weather forecast is talking about SE winds in 2-3 days which would be on the nose for Whangarei - maybe we will have time to visit the Barrier before returning to Whangarei where we will have to be by the 8th. We have heard Bluff Fisherman's Radio previously but never made contact with them until tonight when we called them up on SSB and told them we would probably be circumnavigating the country starting around New Year from Whangarei. We received a very friendly response and will certainly be communicating with them as we progress South. It was great to have confirmation that our installation is now A1 and is capable of clear communication over long distances. They have confirmed other advice we have received in the past which is to go South down the West Coast of the S. Is. and up the East Coast. There is no substitute for local knowledge.
We will be in touch again with more of our nautical saga - in the meantime hope all is well with you.
Cheers (and love where appropriate!!)
Jim and Gina (Jean)