Local Wildlife

 

 

The Weather and Other Conversations

Frankly, this post is expressly for the purpose of starting a new line of comments as I am too lazy to continue scrolling through all the comments in Paradise Lost.

We had a quiet long weekend at home and did not take any brilliant photos. Continued to enjoy the local beach and cleaned the garage (Yippee!!!). I have the girls home with me for one more week, then school starts on 7 Feb.

NB: The first comment to this post is a reply to Lindsay Lobe's last comment in the "Paradise Lost" posting.

Paradise Lost

So it isn't always perfect here. It is a comfortable 23C outside but it would be hard to stand up straight in that wind. The girls and I are hunkered down watching the BBC 1990 version of the Chronicles of Narnia. Great rainy day entertainment. 

Lasing Aboat

Joining the Marsden Yacht Club paid off. Andrew found they have a laser in the boat shed that is rarely used. He hasn't sailed dingys in at least 10 years so we'll see if he can get out of bed tomorrow. Races start next week.

There Is A Season, Tern, Tern, Tern

This immature tern spent the afternoon begging (squawking) for food but was ignored by the other birds.

Kite-Surfing

When we wet for a swim yesterday we were greatly entertained by the kite-surfers. This extreme sport involves a kite, a harness and a board that looks like a snowboard. These guys get great speed and do all sort of flips and jumps and so on. 

Rock Nymphs

 

Secret Passage to Secret Fortress

 

Look Mom, No Hands!

 

Rock Man

 

Rock Head

 

New Zealand Rocks!

Bouldering on the karst formations near Waipu caves 

The Shah of Blah: International Storyteller from Australia

As part of the summer reading programme, the children were treated to a storyteller at the library. He told stories from various countries and had all the kids involved in action throughout. This event was in the middle of our rather full day in town. As it was raining, we took advantage of indoor activities including viewing Zathura (good kids movie) lunch in the food court, and shopping for kid stuff at the discount shop. If you are willing to spend money constantly it is easy to keep the children smiling. 

I Can Read!

Part of the summer reading programme at the library has involved weekly visits to chat with a librarian. The children are invited to read a book or talk about a book with the librarian. They are then given a sticker and get to choose a prize from a box. They are also given mazes and word games and a craft to do. The crafts are on display in the library. They have a marine theme in place. Activities included a talk on marine reserves, a guided snorkling day, the storyteller and the grand finale is a magic show. The entire programme is funded by sponsors. 

Don't Look Back!

Alright Wendy and Sandy: We finally get it! 

Its OK to look back...

As we began our Sunday outing we stopped to look back on Bream Bay. It is the strip of white beach you can see in the back of the picture. Andrew's work site would be found on the far right of the photo and the village of Waipu is near the left of the photo. 

Sunday Surf

We decided to do a little exploring. We drove to Mangawhai Heads, just south of Bream Bay. We stopped in the village and had a fabulous lunch at the Barracuda Cafe. The walls were decorated with wonderful metal sculptures of fish, suitable for hanging in a garden or indoors. I might go back someday to get one for our garden.We then went to the surf beach. We climbed surf hill for these photos.

This shot is looking south of surf hill. To the left of the sand bar, were a number of, you guessed it, surfers. The other side of the sand bar is a cove inhabited by boats.

Sunday Out

This is looking north, back towards where we live. That is New Zealand flax in the foreground. The Maori use it for weaving baskets, bags, and decorations. I even know how to weave "Puti" (a decorative flower shape). 

Stuck in a Rut

Much to my chagrin, tractors and SUV's are common traffic on the beaches here. People use them to tow their boats to and from the water, to carry their fishing gear down to shore or just for joy rides. Here at Lang beach, the traffic seems to be confined to one end for boat launching. We were greatly entertained watching this group try to get the truck and boat trailer (on left of photo) out of a great rut. Lots of people came over to offer advice or throw their weight on the truck. No one thought to unhook the boat trailer to lighten the load on the truck. Then a young man with the tractor tried to tow them out. The first line he connected snapped in two. They finally got it going though. We wonder why they don't carry bits of carpet to throw under the wheels when ruts are forming. Experience driving in snow would come in handy here.

The houses on the hill are relatively new. When the development was first proposed people wondered why anyone would by a section on such steep terrain. Well some developer has made millions. 

Surf's up at Lang's Beach

The girls had a fabulous time playing in the surf and sand. This beach is located at the southern end of Bream Bay. We live about 30 minutes north of here at the other end of Bream Bay. The pointing rock in the background is called Sail Rock. 

More About The Tree

I found the article about The Princess Tree but am not sure 100% convinced this is it. In any case, the princess tree is from China and has amazing qualities. Apparently the timber from it earns the same market value as NZ pine but at a far lower production cost. Anyone interested in starting a tree farm with me? (n.b. I'll provide the princesses, you provide the venture capital). 

What the fork?!

I don't know if this is a southern hemisphere phenomenon or just me but I am missing 5 dinner forks! We all know and accept the missing sock phenomenon but forks?! Oh, never mind, I don't have tine for this. 

Did you bring the ropes Daddy?

The girls finished their outing with a climb. Andrew carried the gear all the way up the ridge and back down again. After all that, we found the rock face near the start of our journey. 

Giant Fiddlehead

No wonder the silver fern is New Zealand's national symbol. This fiddlehead was about 7 feet tall. 

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