This week Al's coastal journey begins at Cape Brett at the entrance to the Bay of Islands. It's an early start for Al as he teams up with Blandy Witehira who has ancestral connections to the peninsula. Blandy was instrumental in turning the old tribal walkways along the Cape into a stunning hiking trail. Along with maintaining the track Blandy manages a team of workers who are ridding the forests of introduced pests.
The walk ends at Oke Bay, near Rawhiti Marae, and from here Blandy takes Al across to Urupukapuka Island where they sample the some of the local seafood and make a Mussel and Pupu boil-up. For centuries coastal people have been travelling to the islands just off Rawhiti to gather kaimoana, and these days they're also a great place to take a holiday.
At the DOC campground Al meets Andy Blanshard who is the Department's archaeologist and historian. Andy gives Al a tour of Urupukapuka Island before they board a gaff-rigged schooner, the R Tucker Thompson, and haul sail to Russell.
A replica of the schooners that worked as coastal traders all around New Zealand in the nineteenth century, the Tucker's taking a history tour in the Bay. Al learns the ropes from skipper Russell Harris and his crew in preparation for the annual Tall Ships Race, which is taking place the next day.
Sailing lesson over, Al explores historic Russell, and pops into the Duke of Marlborough Hotel, the first licensed premise in the country.
The next morning he heads down to the Russell Boat Club and hooks up with Anthony and Nicole George who are in charge of preparing the hangi, a wonderful race day tradition that relies on huge community effort to cater for over 1000 guests.
Al receives the race details, then heads to the R. Tucker Thompson to take part in the Tall Ships Race. It's a fun day and as they line up towards the finish line, seeing these boats under full sail is an unforgettable spectacle. Al ends this coastal journey with the celebrations at the boat club and a feast for the hungry sailors.
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