Monday, December 11, 2006

Day 58. Russell, Bay of Islands. Old town, new money.

Wend in Russell
Hard to believe, but this small town in the Bay of Islands was briefly NZ's capital following the historic signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, but was quickly abandoned once many of the buildings were burnt down during the Northland Land Wars.

Darwin described Russell as full of 'the refuse of society', a magnet for fleeing convicts, whalers, prostitutes and drunken sailors. Now of course, it's all dainty cafes, expensive restaurants and twee gift shops flogging pricey tat. We could smell the money as soon as we arrived. Very picturesque and all that, but to be honest the place could do with a brothel and a few drunks to liven things up.

The shoreline Russell

Had a watered down pint in New Zealand's oldest licenced Inn. Bet they wouldn't have dared mess around with the beer 170 years ago.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi there you two just a quicky to let you know that Lambrini is £1.88 for a MAGNUM at Asda so I got you a case!!!!

Andy playing gigs at the YMCA and Rockshack, Eleanor has a new best friend "Calum Best" **!!**

all my love MagsyXXXXXX

Anonymous said...

dad and i are up here to read the famous blog very very interesting hope you get this . believe it or not dad got his insurance claim just three days ago.jubilatenow we are wondering how to spend his windfall-all£250. gave craig his birthday cash he was very appreciative.
love toboth of you mum

Anonymous said...

dad here i will give you all the team news next time another bit of good luck i won fifty quid on the premium bonds played golf today and although three putting ten times and four putting the last i still halved by the look of it you still have not managed a game all the best to you both