WHANANAKI

xmas 2016

Samuel and I have been camping for 5 days in a coastal place 2 hours up north from our home town.

We were damn lucky with the weather cos it usually cold and rainy with xmas

We visited Annabelle and Scott who owns a piece of land in Whananaki...

...and we camped there gratefully...

first thing we see upon waking

as you can see above... I looked singed and was wearing gumboots and trousers so I would not be eaten by the midges

Annabelle...

and Scott

still active at their thriving coffee/ice cream card...

 xmas celebrated with the immediate Whanau 

neighbours, us and Scott's sister

Sam and Quinn

Samuel

rama

annabelle, simon, kirsty, thomas, quinn, chad and ange (lying in the grass)

Up and away to pick black berries in the paddocks

The rest of our days were spent by resting and visiting all the different beaches in the neighbourhood.

Whananki north beach

Otamure Bay

Samuel loves rock pools

Whananaki South beach

Moureeses Bay

my favorite kind of house 

close by the beach

 paddle boarding, sailing, rock pool exploring - a few of the many activities

going back to our campsite leaving a trail of dust.

 All the best for 2017

Continuing the good habit of hiking on a regular basis

WHEN I AM NOT WALKING MY BOOTS TO SMITHEREENS ON OUR DRIVE WAY, I VENTURE OUT WITH A FRIEND TO BE OUTSIDE IN NATURE

TE ARAI BEACH

ENDLESS BEAUTY

RIVER GOING OUT TO SEA

GOING BACK TO THE CARPARK

OCEAN BEACH

IMAGINE HAVING YOUR HOUSE THERE - MIGHT BE A BIT NERVE WRECKING ON TIMES OF TSUNAMI WARNINGS OR KING TIDES

SMUGGLER'S COVE VIA BUSBY HEAD - WHANGAREI HEADS AREA

START OF THE 1H30 MIN HIKE

STARTING THE HIKE AT URQUHARTS CARPARK

KAWA KAWA MEDICINAL PLANT IN GOOD SHAPE - NOT HALF EATEN AS I SEE IT USUALLY 

LOVE THIS WILDERNESS FEEL

 MANUKA FLOWERS

FRENCHMAN ISLAND : LOOKING FOR SOME ALONE TIME?

CLIMBING THE TERRACE LIKE STEEP HILL SIDE WHICH WAS ONCE A PA SITE 

The word pā (IPA paː) can refer to any Māori village or defensive settlement, but often refers to hill forts – fortified settlements with palisades and defensive terraces – and also to fortified villages.

MAGNIFICENT POHUTUKAWA TREE - OLD ONE 

JASMIN FLOWER CLIMBER?

KAURI TREE BARK

HAPPY AS LARRY WALKING ON THAT PATH BETWEEN THOSE ENERGY GIVING TREES - SEE BELOW

TARANGA ISLAND?

LOST PARADISE

SMUGGLERS COVE

SMUGGLERS COVE

SMUGGLERS COVE - BUSBY HEAD ON THE RIGHT

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