So, off in the inflatable to the head of the bay, having looked at the maps and seen one of the tracks looked like it came down close to our location.
Interesting history to the island...
We set off up the trail, after bush-crashing for a short time, which rose puffingly steeply and then plunged down into a couple of pretty gullies before ascending in a very even fashion up a ridge. We both concluded that this was (as in fact it turned out to be) a rudimentary airstrip - one which would require considerable valour to land and tack off from... with perhaps more horsepower thatn the poor bloke on the right is exhibiting!
The island has had a chequered history, changing hands many times with local and offshore owners before passing into the hands of the crown and being set aside as a memorial to the late Sir Peter Blake ( who maintained that Gt Barrier was his favourite island).
Back to Kalai and it was decided a swim would be in order - seeing as the water temperature had reached a barmy(!) 16.1 C... A very quick dip followed by a soap and warm shower was fantastic, Lunch and then a few more small maintenance tasks led to a relaxed afternoon with cloudy overcast but a good weather report for SW winds means an early start on the morrow.
The plan is to head back to 'Tuts' via Mokohinau - close to 100kms , hopefully pick up some home baking from the beloved Ruby (Hint!) then Thur/Fri make our way gradually north again to be back on the marina late Frid/early Sat.
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