Summer on Kawau Time

On another midweek adventure this time to Kawau (pronounced Cow-Wow.... and it is cow WOW island!) staying with friends Rick & Willie at their bach up in the hills. They were kind enough to pick us up on the boat from Sandspit just up the coast a bit from saddle island/Te Muri Beach area where we went camping the week prior. The above photo is from Maihrangi West point looking out over the ocean to Saddle Island... not hard to figure out which one it is! :P

Our boat ride and cruise around the island was exciting as we found dolphins playing in a little bay, they came and swam alongside the boat, and one even played with a fish in front of us. Really neat to see them up so close.

We then sent down the fishing lines to see if anything would bite.... No sooner was the leur at the bottom than it had a fish attached and enjoying the squid & hook.... Brought the lines up more than a dozen times each but hard to find many keepers in the lot, I caught 2 snappers and Willie the fisherwoman extraordanaire found a snapper and a travelli, good fun as the boys didn't get to keep any, but we shared our dinner with them anyway.

Here is the view from the deck at the bach, looking across to the mainland, a beauty view. Auckland would be to the left.

That view is of course enhanced by the ability to ensure "neighbourhood watch" keeps all things in Vivian Bay in order. Shown here spying on some kayakers and a few boats cruising around the area.

A wonderful deck about halfway up the hill is a good resting spot with a book and a view! I enjoyed a little time here before we headed out on the boat again

This is kawau from the sea... such a lovely little place with lots of neat baches and great bays for swimming off the boat.

Before heading back to the big smoke we jumped in for a swim on the other side of the island, a great bay with clear turquoise water and white sands, pretty cliffs and plenty of birds to watch. Water temp was great, once you were in of course!

Camping!

Went to Te Muri Beach Campground, a beachside department of conservation site about 45 minutes outside of Auckland. Treated to the royal entry Katherine & family picked us up in their boat and scooted around the point in the below photo and we arrived at Te Muri Bay for a 3 day stay.

Had lots of fun with the boys, highlight was a morning cruise getting wet & wild behind the boat on the sea biscuit!

Hopped across to a place called Saddle island for a walk and caught a feed of mussels! Liam & Nathan proudly display tonights appetizers :)

The campground was set just off some hilly farmland, you can see the point you have to travel around or over to reach it. Jut off to the right is "Saddle Island" and tents are all along the flat before the beach... Great Campsite as a max number of 80 occupants means plenty of space for running around.

Sam & I on the last day during a walk up the beach to the estuary. Behind is the point. If you walk into this campsite you have to come when the tide is low or else risk loosing your stuff in the deep river.

Was great catching up with the Parkers and doing something different, really glad they invited us along for a relaxing mid week trip.