It was flatter than the proverbial plate of piss for the trip over to Coromandel. We went into Coromandel Harbour for a look, then headed around to Long Bay so we could walk into Coromandel town for some things that Steve needed for his job in Coromandel Harbour tomorrow. It was stinking hot so we had several stops along the way so both us and the dogs could have a rest in the shade and a drink of water. One such stop was by the local netball and skateboard park. Soon after we arrived, two young guys turned up with their skate boards to have a go on the half pipe. We settled in to watch, but soon got tired of it as they were obviously beginners. Next thing, one of them asses over and cries out "I just broke my wrist". I thought he was being silly at first, but a quick glance at the wrist confirmed that it was bent at a sickening angle. We called the ambulance for him, then his mate phoned his mum, who came and waited, and then decided to drive him to the ambulance station herself. They all left, but we saw her later in town and said he was on some good pain killers, and would need an operation to put things right. Poor guy, 17 years old, and broke his wrist at the beginning of summer - now that would suck. The only saving grace was that it was his left wrist.

After all the excitement, it was well past lunch time, so we stopped and had some of the local mussels (there are mussel farms dotted all round this area), washed down with a cold brew or two. The walk back to Long Bay wasn't anywhere near as exciting, and we're now anchored off Waimate Island with a line out hoping to top last nights fresh pacific oysters off the rocks, and a freshly caught kahiwai. We already have more oysters (via the farm on the way back from town), so just need some willing fish to help us out. The chicken in the fridge is on standby :)

PS I forgot to mention yesterday that we could see the clouds over Auckland and could hear the rumbling thunder, while in Huse bay, where it was bright and sunny - it was very odd!