Happy New Year

Well here we are in 2018 already. I hope you all had a great new year.
We weren't going to go anywhere, until someone that Eddie works with rang and said are you coming to Phil's? We won't be late we decided. We weren't; we were early. I turned out the light at 1 26 am. That's the first time we have seen the new year in for quite a few years.

On the 30th, we went to catch up with a friend of Eddie's, who we haven't seen for ages. They have a bach at Matarangi near Whitianga. We took ages to get through Tairua because of the one way bridge just before the shops etc. Because it was so busy, there were stop go men directing the traffic. We decided to stop at Whitianga for lunch. Not a parking place to be found. We double parked to use the loos and went on to Kuaotuna. It was pretty busy there too, but there was parking and we were able to get a pie and an ice cream for lunch.

After a cuppa and a chat with Dwayne and Bev, we all went down to the water for a swim. Eddie and I took our new boogie boards, but Eddie didn't think the sea would be very good for boogie boarding. The water was quite warm and we spent ages jumping the waves and non stop talking too.
After dinner, we all went for  a walk along Matarangi beach.

evening at Matarangi Beach

a nice after dinner stroll

The next morning was just as sunny and warm, so after morning tea we went for another swim. This time the water was good for boogie boarding. I managed 3 good rides. Eddie did better, because he has still got his surfing instincts. Hopefully I will get more practice in over the rest of the summer.

On our way home, we stopped at Turua and bought an ice cream which we ate by the jetty at Turua, which we didn't even know was there. The river is the Waihou and is tidal at this point, which is why the river looks very full.

Waihou River Turua.