Now, where were we with our shipwreck story? Ahh yes, we had eaten paua and were getting on to the next course: fish. I have seen Bear Grylls (Man vs Wild?) use his trousers as a fishing-net while suspended from a tree in the jungle, but thankfully on Rangatira we have a fishing rod and some handlines!
Kev, Ali and I head out to the edge of the rock landing and suddenly the weather turns it on, with the heaviest downpour since we arrived. But the fishing is so good! With limpets as bait, it is only a few minutes before we have a bite and the first fish I have ever caught comes curling and twisting out of the water: a blue-purple rock cod gasping for breath.
The rain gets heavier, the drops driven into the waves so hard it makes the sea steam. Cold water works its way into the necks of our coats and runs down sleeves – my woolly hat is sopping wet, my nose is dripping and I am chilled to the bone. Two more cod (and a wrasse that we threw back) and we run for it, past the penguins sheltering under the rocks, back to the hut to warm up.
This is a great blog - very engaging with a lovely voice - slightly sciency but very warm and inviting for the reader - "come in and share this fantastic island with us and the locals", Neale Pitches, South Pacific Press, Wellington
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