We're off. We finally set sail on Tuesday. It's very difficult to get going when you haven't been sailing since November. There is always something else to repair, sort out etc. Perhaps the weather will be better tomorrow etc etc. Everything feels new and scary. Once you set sail the routines come back again. Anyway we set off, refuelled and sailed or rather motored all of five miles to the absolutely glorious island of Tiritiri Matangi.

The island is effectively a bird sanctuary. It has been re-colonised with native bird species and native plants. On Wednesday through to the weekend a ferry brings bird lovers to the island. We were able to be there without the people. Walking at dusk the sound of the birds was amazing. It was not the cacophony of a British dawn chorus but more of a serenade of tunes. Birds in New Zealand rarely fly, but do make remarkable sounds. The paths were empty except for beautiful green parakeets, Tuis with their curious white throats, and Takahe. Takahe are curious creatures, quite large with scarlet red bills and blue heads. They walk around in their lifelong pairs pecking the grass and calling each other. They are very rare and are related to the more common Pukeko, a black bird with long gangly legs who you see walking in its curious way all over the North Island.

Most of the birds here have been relocated from other sites so that they can thrive away from predators like rats or possums.

It was a pleasure to see and hear so many of these birds, particularly since much of New Zealand's bush is so quiet and lacking in birds. A product of either the ravages of possums or the ravage of the poison they put down to kill the possums.