23 September 1859

23rd. A fine morning but a strong head wind threatening us with more cruise time before we are to see the desired port about dinner time. The wind settled very much and soon died away. The afternoon was fine, the sun warm and the scene was grand. The sea being studded with small islands all around and each clothed with vegetation of some kind like little shrubbereries all bearing of a genial climate and a fruitful soil. They are elevated a great way above the sea by an immense rocky base footed by a nice sandy beach. After sundown we had a light head wind against which we beat up a little way by crossing about like an overloaded animal up a steep hill.

Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56