Browning in disgrace and Hi Hi

We are at Hi Hi at the moment which is near Mangonui in the far north. It is a pretty cove inside the bigger Doubtless Bay. The facilities are lovely and well kept. There are a lot of trees here and we are parked under them, so we don't get a lot of sun. They are deciduous and so the roof and the awning are covered in leaves. We are here until next Tuesday.

Remember the wedding I mentioned, when we were in Bland Bay. Browning was told that he couldn't go, as it was a wedding and people were invited and he couldn't just arrive. We went to bed and didn't realize he had sneaked out when we were asleep. I thought he was a bit quiet the next day and now I know why. In his drunken state, he had given my email address and they sent a picture with a note saying." Thanks for coming. You are one big party animal". Needless to say he was in disgrace and when we went out on Wednesday he stayed in the car.

Evidential photo

We went to north on Wednesday to check out other camping grounds, as we had no idea where to go to next. We went to Whatuwhiwhi, ( very expensive), Ahipara, (at the beginning of 90  mile beach) and Pukenui (Houhora harbour) among others places, but nothing really rang our bells. The areas were ok, but the camping grounds not so much. Mostly because they weren't on the sea front. We were very spoilt at Bland Bay and Papamoa.

Eddie at 90 mile beach

90 mile beach looking north

On Thursday we went south and checked out Taupo Bay and Tauranga Bay. We have chosen Tauranga Bay. It is right on the beach facing north. It is very sheltered from southerlies, but we will be buffeted by northerly winds. They have a good monthly rate, so we are going to stay there for a month at this point in time. Neither of us took a picture of it!  So that is a treat in store for you all.

last days at Bland Bay

We are over the road from the local marae. They have had 2 weddings there this week, so lots of coming and going on Wednesday and the weekend. Wednesday was a very quiet affair, but they had a disc jockey on Saturday night with the music really pumping. It must have been really loud at the venue. It didn't keep us awake, but I got up at 1 30 and it was still going strong.

Eddie was out on the kayak yesterday and caught 2 fish, so the fish drought seems to have broken at last. 

Browning and I went for a walk up to the end of the road where the DOC camp is. At the top of the hill,  I took 2 photos from the same spot over looking both Whangaruru Harbour and Bland Bay.

Over looking Whangaruru Harbour

Over looking Bland Bay

Browning travels like this. In my pocket with his beak poking out.

Browning safe in a pocket.

When I got back, Eddie said, let's go and see if there are any pipis at the camp. When we got there we saw that most of the camp is fenced off as it is very wet and soggy. There was 1 caravan there on the only hard surface. We paddled across the grass ( I kid you not), to the beach. No pipis, so Eddie was disappointed.

Today we went to look at another camp at Oakura, which is near here. The camp is also very soggy and so we are going back to plan A and going up to Hi Hi tomorrow. Not sure where to after that as the plan keeps changing ha ha.

Sheltering from the storm

The weather forecast was for a 100 k gale, so we tucked ourselves in behind the shop, with our nose pointing into the wind and passed the night very well. Now it has quietened down a bit, we have come out of hiding, so we can see what's going on around us better. You can't see the shop, but it is behind us sheltering us from the worst of the weather.

Sheltering from the storm.

 Before the storm really got going, we went for a walk along to the end of the beach with Browning. He rather liked the stormy weather and watching the waves.

Browning watching the waves

The picture doesn't really do the waves justice, but they were quite impressive. We had to lean into the wind as we walked down the beach and then got pushed back home. It was quite exhilarating. The blue sky didn't last much longer and we haven't seen the sun since.

End of the beach at Bland Bay

We are no longer the only campers here. An English couple in a camper van, came into the camp last night. They are following the Lions rugby tour. Between games, they are traveling around to see as much of the North Island as they can.

Stormy Day at Bland Bay

We are the only ones in the camping ground at the moment and with the weather as it is, it will probably be just us until at least the weekend. Last weekend there were several groups of people in enjoying the lovely weather.
The weather is very windy today and blowing straight at our door, so it is a bit of an effort to push it open. We have had some rain, but it isn't raining at the moment. The bay looks lovely even when the weather isn't.

Bland Bay in stormy weather

Eddie catching up on his computer work.

Tomorrow we are going to check out the big smoke of Russell.

Fish at last

Eddie went out in the kayak yesterday and caught a snapper and a kahawai, so the fish drought is broken at last. In the excitement I forgot to take a picture. He went out again today and caught a snapper that we have shared with our neighbours.
I remembered the picture today.

today's catch

After lunch I went out and had a practice in my kayak for about 20 minutes I don't think my arms are as strong as they used to be when I worked in the book shop, as they got tired very quickly today. The first day out at Welcome Bay back in February I managed 2 hours. I can see more practice is needed and perhaps some push ups too.

The weather has been so lovely and warm it is hard to believe it is nearly the shortest day of the year next week.

Bland Bay Northland

We bought this tea towel at the Waipu Museum. The words say, "Home is where you park it". It seemed very appropriate to us. I have blue tacked it on to the fridge.

Before we left Waipu, we bought our groceries at the local Four Square and our meat at the butcher shop. We left about 10 30 am and arrived at Bland Bay around 1 pm. It was a good drive up with not too much traffic on the road. The truck went well over the Brynderwyn hill. Once off state highway 1 there were some big hills to climb over. Luckily there was no traffic behind us, as the road was narrow without any passing bays.

View from our caravan door.

We went for a walk along the beach last night. The wind was blustery, but it wasn't too cold. Today is still blustery at times with the occasional shower. Eddie is trying his hand at catching tea, so far only nibbles, but we live in hope. Surely we will be living out of the sea soon.

Sun rise was lovely today.

sun rise Bland Bay photo Eddie

Waipu

Yesterday we went  into Leigh, Goat Island and Pakiri, which is where Eddie used to surf almost 50 years ago. It is quite a bit different now with public toilets and picnic tables. There was nothing like that then. They slept in the back of a van and cooked on an open fire. They parked on the dunes too, which is a big no no nowadays.

The water at Goat Island is so clear and the rock pools were lovely.

Goat Island Marine Reserve

Eddie at Goat Island Marine Reserve

Rock Pool Goat Island.

Pakiri Beach

We are in Waipu tonight for a night and then on to Bland Bay in the morning. We had a wander around the town, which didn't take long as it is very small. We went into the museum which is full of Waipu history. It was settled by Scots lead by Norman McLeod. They followed him from Scotland to Nova Scotia, Melbourne and then on to Waipu. Waipu is a caravan association camp ground with toilets, so we will be using our shower, but it is only $10 a night so pretty good rates. There is power and water for us to use too. 

We took a drive out to Waipu Cove for a quick look. Lovely beach with Cape Brett and the Hen and chicken Islands in the distance. 

Browning came too.

Eddie at Waipu Cove

Cape Brett from Waipu Cove

Kawau Island

 The weather looked as if it would be a bit inclement today but it only rained while we were on the ferry going out to the island.
There was copper mining on the island in the 1840's and the mansion has a copper roof and down pipes. It was the home of the copper mine manager in the 1840's. The mine was opened in 1849 and produced about 2500 tonnes of copper. One mine went under the land and another one went under the sea - about 36 metres out.

remains of copper mine chimney.

 Kawau was the home on Governor Grey in the 1860's. He planted lots of exotic plants and imported exotic animals too. Like zebras, that he used to pull his carriage.He bought the house from the copper mine manager and made the house bigger than it was. His niece and family lived on the top floor.

The approach to the house from the wharf.

School House Bay

There was a school at this bay for the children living on the island. One rough day, the boat bringing the children to school capsized and a lot of the children drowned. After that the school was closed and the children either went to boarding school or were home schooled.
We did the mail run, so we went into quite a few of bays. The mansion house itself was closed for the winter so we will have to come back one day to see inside. We peeped through some windows and it looked impressive. We ate our lunch and had a wander around the grounds until the ferry came to pick us up at 2 pm.

Whangteau

We came to Whangteau on Thursday afternoon after a leisurely trip from Kaiaua. We looked at the camp ground at Sandspit first, but it was quite cramped and we didn't really like the look of it. Whangteau is really nice. We are right on the water front. The tide goes right out but it is still rather nice even with just sand to look at.

Whangteau when the tide is out

Eddie checking out the sand.

Browning went exploring today. He did wonder where the water was.

setting out to check out the new camp ground

Where's the water?

We went to Ti Point wharf a few k's down the road to try some fishing yesterday. A couple of young lads caught a kingfish and we thought ooh goody. There may be one for us, but no there wasn't. Never mind it was a lovely day in the sun.

Eddie fishing in comfort

The view from the wharf

We have decided to stay two more nights here and go to Kawau Island on Saturday.
The moon rise was rather good tonight.

Seal visitor and Kaiaua

Forgot to mention the seal on the beach at Papamoa. It is a young one and looked quite thin to me. I am sure he was thinking " I wish everyone would let me rest in peace and quiet".

Very tired seal. photo Eddie

We left Papamoa on 6th June and came to Kaiaua. We had a good trip over with a brief stop at Ngatea to use the facilities. Everything in the van traveled well Except the paper towel roll which unrolled off it's hanger. The bottle of wine fell down too but luckily stayed in one piece.
It was very foggy when we got here, which didn't clear until about 4 in the afternoon.

Fog along the beach. 

Eddie settled in checking out the view. In spite of the fog

Eddie's cousin Ellie and her husband, Charlie came over for a visit this afternoon. We enjoyed a fish and chip tea together at the Kaiaua Fish and Chip shop.

The weather was much nicer this morning.

Photo by Eddie

Water heater

Eddie and Peter  put the new water heater in on Wednesday as our old one was leaking into the cupboard. Everything is  about 10 years old so of course they are beginning to wear out now.

This is the old one. As you can see it was pretty knackered.

It wasn't easy getting into the little cupboard to undo and do up again.

Peter attaching the new one into place.

Already to have it's cover on

All done and ready to go.

The new awning came on Friday and looks really good. It is made out of the same stuff that truck tarpaulins are made of, so it is strong. It is white so it reflects the light into the kitchen better than the old one which was grey. We had hoped for a silver one, but they didn't have enough fabric to make it with.

Tomorrow we begin our trek northwards. We plan to stop at Miranda, Warkworth, Whangrei and then Hi Hi in Northland. That's the plan, but time will tell.

We had a feed of fish when Eddie and Peter put out the long line last Thursday. If the sea is ok this afternoon they will put it out again. With only the kayak to go out on they like to choose their days when it isn't too bumpy.