First Fishing Trip

Today I went on my first fishing trip with Paul to the Kaipara harbour north west of Auckland. I didn't enjoy the early start 3am wake up to be at the dock for 5am!! - at least we saw sunrise...






This is me before the violent rocking of the boat caused a brief period of sea sickness...though this didn't stop me reeling in several snappers and kahawai




Boat was great - spacious and plenty of room for all the chilly bins full of beer, and later fish, good preparation areas for bleeding and gutting fish, and baiting the lines. Skipper was very good knowing all the good spots, and forced me to keep fishing through my sea sickness.





After the fishing came the eating... The first snapper was eaten raw sashimi style - amazing!! The second snapper was cooked whole on the BBQ.





The finished meal!







Charlie was very non-plussed about the whole thing, that was until we gave him some freshly cooked snapper - we may have started something we will live to regret there...

Christmas Day

Another warm, but not so dry, Christmas meant we headed to the beach for a picnic lunch today. We stopped at Hatfields beach about 20 minutes north from us and away from the popular beaches.






We had a lovely lunch of crayfish, smoked salmon and smoked mussels washed down with a bottle of NZ fizz from Soljans which we bought when wine tasting with Mum & Dad last month. Who needs a white Christmas!





After the afternoon rain we had a window of opportunity to cook our BBQ this evening - this a pic of the raw ingredients! Thai prawns (monsters!), marlin steaks, kangaroo fillet and rack of lamb.

Computershare Christmas Do

This evening was my Christmas do at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna, just over the road from work. As I am part of the Social Club Committee organising the do was one of my tasks so was quite relieved that all went well. This is a photo of our table with work friends Craig (and his partner Jo), us, Dean and Mark x 2 in the background.


For some reason I got roped into doing a Princess Leia impression...it's amazing what a few glasses of wine will let you do... That's Charmaine holding the bread rolls and Novita next to her.





And a picture of Royston and Craig before they went off to dance to Dancing Queen together...

Mahurangi Peninsula

Today we headed along the Mahurangi peninsula to the east of Warkworth. Although the weather was a bit changeable we managed to make several stops along the way. The first was Algies Bay, a popular spot with boaties with many people heading off for a day fishing.




We then headed to Scandrett Regional Park, Auckland's most recent regional park which is still under development. The beach looks out over Kawau Bay, and there are many walks that we plan to do in the future.



After a brief stop off at Martins Bay, we then went to Scott Point which is part of the Mahurangi Regional Park, and home to the Scott Homestead.






After a walk on the beach we had a picnic lunch before heading back home.

Muse Concert

Tonight we got the chance to see one of our favourite bands, Muse. The gig was fantastic, with spectacular use of lighting and carbon dioxide, and got the whole crowd rocking!

Family Photo

Today is Mum & Dad's last day so we took them for lunch at Long Bay before a family photo in the garden at home before they left.

Wenderholm & Shakespear Regional Parks

We then headed to Wenderholm Regional Park for a picnic lunch and the photo in the picture frame!






The 134 hectare park is home to many native birds, some of which were nesting in the sand dunes, and pohutukawas (New Zealand's Christmas tree).






Then closer to home we called in to Shakespear Regional Park at the end of the Whangaparaoa peninsula.






We walked up to the lookout point to get views over the Hauraki Gulf.

Parry Kauri Park

Today I headed north to show Mum & Dad the native kauri trees so that they could get some idea of the size of these amazing trees.






The park has many native trees and ferns with a great boardwalk throughout the bush.

Muriwari Regional Park

Now back in Auckland, today we headed out west to Muriwai Regional Park.







Muriwai is home to the Takapu Refuge - a gannet colony. It was the end of nesting with most of the nests now empty and eggs hatched.



There were several crazy fishermen braving the wild waves on the rocks - a couple were washed in when we were there but fortunately got themselves out without the aid of the surf live savers.

Driving Creek Railway

Just north of Coromandel Town is Driving Creek Railway an amazing narrow gauge railway running through the bush. The trains and track have been built by a potter originally to bring the clay down from the hillside, but has subsequently developed into a major tourist attraction for the area.



The track is a major feat of engineering climbing up the steep hillside. This photo shows the double switchback where the train has to zig zag up the hill due to the gradient.





There is also a major reversing point which takes the train out high over the bush with sheer drops down - not good for those with vertigo.




The end of the journey is the "Eye-full Tower" which has been built to give panoramic views over the bush and out to the Hauraki Gulf.




At the peak times they take 500 people a day up and down the hillside, but with views like this it is not surprising it is so popular.

The Drive from Whitianga to Coromandel Town

Today we headed across the north eastern coastline of the Coromandel Peninsula between Whitianga over to Coromandel Town. We stopped off at various points on route including Matarangi, which is a developing areas mainly consisting of holiday homes. Although a stunning beach, it meant the area didn't have much character.


The drive also involved a steady winding climb with a viewpoint at the top of the hill. This offered fabulous views over the Firth of Thames to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.



















We stopped off for a picnic lunch at Whangapoua overlooking Wainuiototo Bay.




The beach was deserted and stunning, we will have to come here again soon, as just past the headland to the north is New Chums beach, supposedly New Zealand's best beach and only accessible by foot by walking over the headland.





The drive back to the main road took us past many native ferns and mangrove swamps.

Whitianga

Our base for our short stay in the Coromandel was a nice apartment in Whitianga overlooking the marina. This is the view from our balcony.





Whitianga is a popular holiday destination for kiwis and has a thriving community. There is also a nice beach forming part of Mercury Bay.

Hahei & Cooks Beach

From Rotorua we headed north up to the Coromandel Peninsula with Whitianga our base for the next couple of nights. On route we stopped of at Hahei beach for lunch, walking up to the Cathedral Cove lookout. The cove is not actually visible unless you walk over the headland, or go by boat, but this view gives an idea of the beautiful coastline.


We then headed to Cooks Beach and up to the lookout point with a plaque commemorating James Cook's landing in NZ. The views were down to Cooks Beach in one direction...






...and across to Whitianga in the other direction.

Whakarewarewa Redwoods Forest

On the road to Lake Tarewara is the impressive redwoods forest which offers plenty of walking routes.








Hopefully this photo of Mum & Dad gives an example of how tall these trees are.







The forest is also home to many of NZ's native plants and ferns.

Lake Tarawera

Just to the east of Rotorua is Lake Tarawera offering views over to the Mt Tarawera volcano.














The following photo details the volcanic eruption back in 1886 which caused massive destruction to the area, burying a nearby village and destroying the famous pink and white terraces. The landscape left behind though is spectacular.

Rainbow Springs Nature Park

Today we headed to Rainbow Springs Nature Park just outside of Rotorua. The springs are famous for its trout and they act as a breeding ground, providing specific pools for the young trout to develop before release into the local lakes.




The springs also have a wildlife area with a variety of native and introduced animals including the emu.





There is also a reptile house with tuataras, and a kiwi house where it is difficult to get pictures of the kiwi due to the pitch black surroundings!