Volendam day three Wednesday 26/10/11

Suspect we have been quietly at anchor for a while overnight. Engines started early which woke me. Pilot came alongside and we progressed into Tauranga harbour or more realistically Mount Manganui quay. We were berthed by the time Carol and I arrived for breakfast, as we had purposely waited to keep out of the way of the hoards wanting to get away on their shore excursions.  After breakfast we walked ashore in brilliant sunshine, intending to climb the local pinnacle, mount Manganui. Walking to the bottom we went along the foreshore and saw the great efforts being made by volunteers cleaning up the oil from the beach. A long line of people all clad in disposable shoes, overalls, gloves and hats on their knees minutely inspecting every inch of sand. From the shore path though there was no visible signs of oil. Onwards for morning coffee at the foot of the hill and then we searched for the beginning of the summit track, and eventually found a way through from the thermal baths car park. Steadily climbing we had ever better views of the coast and islands and even the Rena stranded on the reef way off shore. About half way up, just where the path split into two routes to the top we were faced with two signs saying both paths were closed because of herbicide spraying and that we should go back to the bottom and start again on another way up. Well having made it that far we decided once was enough and we descended down the correct path which was much steeper than the route we had gone up and at the base we found the sign saying the routes were closed. Pity there wasn't a sign on all the paths! The shopping centre proved to be the next draw for Carol and having wandered around many gift shops looking for earrings to match a recently purchased necklace, a suitable match was selected, which proved to be perfect, and even the same make when the two were together. Back aboard and a late lunch and lazy afternoon followed. At 5 pm we watched a local folk group give a show on stage, not bad considering the facilities available. Next on the agenda was a Windows 7 workshop that answered a few queries and solved a few mysteries of the system. Dinner in the main restaurant, smart casual tonight. Again some interesting conversation on a table for 6. Moved on to the lido area for the pool party. All decorated in polynesian style, though a bit noisy and difficult to hear. Retired from there to the piano bar which was a bit more our scene, the crows nest disco which had been so lively before was pretty deserted when we checked it out.