Walking at Tawharanui

Today we headed north to Tawharanui Regional Park to do a 10km walk around the park. The starting point was Anchor Bay and the sun was shining!





The first climb gave great views back all the way down Anchor Bay.






And at the highest trig point on the walk we could see over to Omaha beach. Next stop was Tokatu Point, the far easterly point of the park and were fortunate enough to see two dolphins playing just off the coast. There were also a few boats fishing on the edge of the marine reserve.



We then headed into native bush, including lots of manuka trees. Views from the southern path looked straight over to Kawau island.






The final leg of the walk was to the lagoon area of the park, heading through a field of sheep with all the baby lambs running around. After a brief stop for lunch we walked back to the beach and a well deserved rest.

Tour of Eden Park

Today's tour of Eden Park was part of the Auckland Heritage Festival running over the last couple of weeks of September. This was only the second tour ever done so we were lucky to get a chance to have a look around, and for free. First stop the ASB stand (mainly because that's the only one really there!) where we looked out over the new South stand being built in preparation for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.


And also over to where the Terraces and Panasonic stands used to be, and where the new East stand is to be built.






The guide told us the history of the stadium before taking us up to one of the corporate boxes where the view down to the pitch was superb.





After a brief trip into the very basic temporary changing rooms, new ones will be in the new South stand, we went onto the pitch (in the pouring rain). This is looking back up to the ASB stand.





Finally we had a wander around the Hall of Fame, a good end to a really interesting visit.

Conservation Week at Motutapu

Today we joined in one of the Conservation Week activities and headed out to Motutapu island in the Hauraki Gulf. The island is just behind Rangitoto where we stopped off on route to offload other passengers.




We were designated to the weed control team targeting moth plant, a climbing plant that strangles the native plants. We were working in a specific area (in the picture) and came across quite a lot of the weed, particularly in the afternoon.




After all our hard efforts we headed back to the Reid Homestead, built in 1901 and recently restored, for a sausage sizzle.






The landing point for the island was Home Bay, Royston spent some time eyeing up potential fishing spots when waiting for the return ferry...





The beach itself was stunning, with a DOC campsite just off the beach, what a great view you would have from your tent. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will now participate regularly in their ongoing conservation work.

Royston & the Octopus

This morning's fishing trip to Army Bay didn't result in any fish, but instead Royston caught a rather strange looking octopus (already missing one leg)...

Planting Out...

The pohutukawa and bird of paradise are now planted out, with the pohutukawa in bud already and some flowers starting to come out, surely it's not Christmas yet...








Charlie appears to approve of his garden as well, and after our trip to the Home Show today we have lots of ideas for out here.

The Gardening has Begun

This afternoon we made the most of the sunshine and started work in the garden. Planting out the hanging basket...







The herbs and strawberries were planted last week and we already have flowers on the strawberries so hopefully not long to wait for the fruit.





We thought it apt to have wine barrels as our planters...unfortunately they were delivered empty but the smell of red wine is still quite over powering! We just have to decide what to put in them all now. The tomatoes and spinach plants are in the pots behind.




Two of the plants have already been bought though - a bird of paradise and a pohutakawa bush, so getting those in is the next job.

Spring is Here...so a Trip to Waipu Cove

This weekend we made the most of the glorious weather and headed north to Waipu Cove for an afternoon fishing and a night away of relaxation. We also used it as an opportunity to celebrate nearly 3 years here.





Although the water was pretty cold, it was just about bearable to wade in up to your knees, the rogue higher waves weren't much fun however... Royston versus seagull to get the first fish.





As the change of light came, so did the fish and we both had some success reeling in a few kahawai, a couple of which were keepers so came home with us for the smoker.





Although not the best place to be for sunset, the sky was still pretty spectacular.






The weather the next morning was similarly beautiful and the surfers were out in force to take advantage of the sunshine and big waves.