Escaped to Great Barrier Island for a few days. It was not as crowded as we had been led to expect so had a peaceful few days walking and swimming. The Pateke ducks were there to greet us and seemed very tame coming up on the sugar scoop in the mornings for breakfast. I'm surprised they do not all end up in duck casserole as they look as if they would be easy to catch. We again had to return to base early because bad weather promised although this time it looks as if it is going to last longer and the winds are going to be followed by heavy rain.