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.