So here we are, doing yesterday's mail run, today. We leave Havelock at 9:30 am knowing we made a good decision to put it off till today, with amazing brilliant blue skies, warm winter sun and the odd pure white cloud! What a picture, set off by the greens of the forestry and natural bush crowding the hills to the waters of the Sounds.
The mailboat is owned and run by a canny Scotsman, Jimmy. What a really nice guy, knowledgeable with the inevitable historical facts and the odd, maybe not so factual (but funny), story.
We see myriads of mussel farms, with one mussel boat, seeding the beds. Much of the pine forests are being felled, and as there is little money in it for the land owner, the hills are steadily reverting back to native bus, which keeps everyone happy. Some sheep farming is still carried on, but tourism plays a big part with old farms now used for accommodation, fishing, Eco tours, trampers, hunters and the like. Such an amazingly beautiful area of total wilderness and solitude. The folk who make their lives here are inventive and generate their own power, grow their own meat and produce and pretty much self sufficient.
I am reading the many journals, books and historical notes, of the area, that are in full supply on board. I'm particularly absorbed by Maori history in the region, and my very young history lessons come crashing back into my memory when I read the well known names of Te Rauparaha and his exploits from the North, and Tamati Waka Nene. I'm sure we weren't taught of his murderous, cannabalistic and bloody rampages against other tribes, as graphically as this journal does. What a nasty fellow!
We stop at 6 homesteads then pick up two passengers before heading back to Havelock. We spot Australasian Gannets diving from great heights, into the water; usually a good sign that dolphins may be around, but not this time. Then about 5 minutes later there are shrieks of excitement from the French children on board. They have spotted Dolphins! Well, the following 10 minutes was just a jaw dropping experience with a pod of around 50 or more bottle-nose dolphins, ducking and diving, gliding and sounding and swimming beside and in front and under us. Seemingly, almost hitting the side of the boat, the sound of them expelling their air as they surfaced; soft but distinctive. Oh what an absolute joy! We just let our cameras click and hope we get some shots.

What an absolutely amazing day!