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.

Let Summer Begin!

Labour Day may mark the end of summer in the northern hemisphere but here in New Zealand we celebrate this long weekend in late October, the official start of summer and camping season. A nice sunny Saturday followed by a relaxing day out on the harbour was just the right way to get things going.

3 Red Schnapper on board meant a cookup for the holiday Monday :)

Here's fishy number 1 with proud fisherman Sam:
Chris with his catch....

Pretty Rakino Island (check that out on map of the harbour)

Reelin in the big one!

Come aboard we like fish, especially when they are attached to our hooks!

Rangitoto looking good as always

Coming back into Auckland out past Northhead, Devonport

Auckland skyline...

Who let these hooligans drive?

Turkey Time in Aucks!

Thanksgiving was spent in the company of many lovely friends and honorary Canadians and a 12kg Turkey! Preparations beginning early in the week with thawing, brining, baking and cooking a massive feast for about 25 people. Good thing Michelle had an oven big enough to fit the bird!

Pumpkin Pie on the way....

Our token Turkey Carver...
The Goods! Complete with Cranberry Sauce and Gravy! :)

YUM! A Festive Day well spent :)

Return to Wellington

Little roadtrip by air down to Wellington with my work mate Alison for the WORLD OF WEARABLE Art Show. Met with old friend/coworker Anne for an afternoon of exploring and seeing the sights in the rain. Here we took in the Dots exhibit at the Wellington Art Museum and then took a wander and a visit to the collosall squid at Te Papa.

Te Papa was also holding a Formula 1 race car exhibit VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOM!

Met with Miss Adena for dinner and the WOW show, which was spectatular! Fantastic costumes poured over the stage, we had great seats to see all the details. Incredible coreography as the works of art moved around to a music and light show.

Due to the moonboot incident back at the start of September my trip to Welly was cut a little short but will hope to spend a good weather weekend in the summer.

Minor Layup...

Had a little too much fun down at the mountain with friends. At least I got 4 runs out on the snow this season..... doesn't boast much for the season ticket. But 12cm fresh powder and dropping into a fresh patch with no one around is always epic even if it means getting down on the back of a sled. Much rehab and doctor's visits to come....

A long weekend in Sydney, Australia

My Canadian adventure counterpart Brittany and I made good use of the school holiday time and ventured across the Tasman for a visit to Sydney. We visited the Three Sisters, in the blue mountains just outside the city... unfortunately the weather was less then impressive and we saw a lot of FOG, but just before our return trip to the city, the clouds lifted and we saw the rock formations appear through the drizzle.

After returning to the big city (much bigger than Auckland!) we toured around and took in the sights. Walked through the gardens down to the Opera House, a view of the harbour and bridge. We even took a little train ride around the paths. Did a bit of shopping at the local markets and made our way out of the downtown core to Bondi Beach to see the surfers. Monday we spent visitng the animals at the zoo, (fantastic harbour views!) and then onward to Luna Park a crazy old amusment park open since the 30's, with mirror mazes, crazy slides and a ferris wheel!

Sydney was lots of fun, and can't wait to see more of Aussie.