Almost 50nm to the north east of Auckland is the wonderful Great Barrier Island - a "boaties" destination in the summer months of New Zealand - and within this season the culmination is the annual Mussel Fest - perhaps the grandest of festivities !

So here we are anchored just off Port Fitzroy amongst several hundred yachts - surrounded by nature - birdsong - waterfalls - getting ready for a weekend of culinary delights, samplings of fresh & locally harvested green lipped mussels prepared in a variety of ways - to be washed down with local brews.

Summer in the sun - New Zealand original - the way it has been for many many years - unspoiled - direct -and very real.