The grand Mangonui Hotel

This grand old lady is one we've driven past a few times now. The Mangonui Hotel is in the heart of town and was first built in 1905 by John Bray. It's the 4th hotel in the area - the first was built in in Mill Bay in 1842 named the "Donnybrook" but burned down in 1873.  

Mangonui is one of those places where fishing is an important local industry with snapper, kingfish and crayfish being caught.  The local Mangonui fish and chip shop has been well known over the years to cook the best takeaways in the country, we haven't eaten there yet but we probably will once we go out for road trips.

Have a good weekend. Kia kaha

Winter is the time

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a walk beside the fire; it is the time for home - Edith Stilwell.

End of week summary:

• The trees have nearly lost their leaves. These ones (above) stood tall and bare against the overcast sky as they create a barrier between a Kiwifruit orchard and the main road.
• I've been watching alot of old movies this week...a mixture of Robert Mitchum, Betty Grable, Danny Kaye, Bette Davis and Ginger Rogers.  I prefer old ones rather than modern ones.
• The socks and warm jerseys have come out of the storage cupboards. We are now in late Autumn/early Winter - although it's so mild up here a coat is rarely needed.

Hope you're staying safe where you are. Kia kaha. Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

A wet weekend

I love these guys, big concrete heads that looks so human - they remind me of the statues on Easter island. I like sculptures, I like artistic creations that stand out. This one is at my work on display in amongst different types of grasses and I've been eying it up all week but it's a pity we have such a small garden at home.

We are in for a wet week ahead, rain warnings for today and tomorrow not that I'm complaining as so many parts of the country are still in drought mode - Auckland is facing major water restrictions and they are down to about 40% water.

It's time to take out the warm winter jerseys, socks and blankets here - we are beginning to get into hibernation mode.

Stay safe. Kia kaha

Time of the season

There have been some nice highlights for this week:

• One morning I left the house for a walk and saw these super Autumn colours in our street.
• My daughter and I visited my work, bought some plants plus potting mix then came home and repotted all the plants we currently have on our deck then planted the news ones.  One of them was a catnip plant which made her cat even more potty than she already is.
• We have had no new coronavirus cases here for the last 4 days in a row.
• One tv show we have being screened at the moment here is "The Repair Shop" so I have been binge watching that. It's interesting to see how things are taken apart and then put back together again. Have you seen it?

 Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

The 2 Waipu monuments

Located in Waipu township are these 2 monuments next to the main road.  In 1913 a committee set up to oversee the future Waipu Diamond Jubilee celebrations for the original settlers and their descendants decided to pay for a memorial to commemorate the landing of the settlers who came there from Nova Scotia in 1854.  The preacher Norman McLeod led his followers from Scotland to Nova Scotia in 1817, then after encounting hardship they left for Australia then NZ. The monument on the left lists their names and dates and has a lion sitting at the top. (More information from the Northland History blog).

The one on the right is for those who fought in the First World War from 1914 to 1919, the Second World War from 1939 to 1945 and was erected on VE day 9 May 1995, the 50th anniversary of the end of World War 2 in Europe.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday and My Corner of the World.

Time for music

Monday Murals here again - on my daily walks I've seen this artwork on the inside windows of a local music shop. The Sound Lounge sells musical instruments, cds and also does repairs but I think at the moment they are closed due to Covid 19. Hope you're staying safe where you are.

Gotta have that coffee

There's nothing I like better than a good strong coffee first thing in the morning, kind of sets my day and wakes me up. While we were in level 3 some businesses were able to open for contactless deliveries and pickups - this shop in the middle of town on one of the corners normally sells not just coffee but also a wide range of wine and craft beers. In the mornings they've had people lining up so I'm guessing their coffee is really good. Now that we're in level 2 just about everywhere is open and the traffic level is pretty much back to normal, it's almost like we're back to level 0.

I started my part time job today which I enjoyed alot, my feet were a bit sore at the end of the day but they will harden up again soon.

Hope you're staying safe there.

Te Whiringa o Manoko

In central Kerikeri at the local domain there is a massive stone sculpture named Te Whiringa o Manoko (The interweaving of cultures). The piece was named by the kaumatua (elder) of the Ngati Rehia tribe and blessed by Hirini Kingi.

The design was originally conceived in 1978 by Chris Booth then shortlisted for the Auckland Aotea Square Water Sculpture competition in 1979. It was since moved here to the far north.

News from here is that for the last 2 days we have had no new coronavirus cases but some people are in an uproar due to no more than 10 people at a time to be allowed at funerals and tangis. Our PM explained it as when we grieve we come together and that is how it is spread - most people seem to be ok with this and would rather protect their elderly and communities than go back to level 4 lockdown.

Businesses are allowed to open without large numbers of people but I think our unemployment rate will climb until the economy bounces back, when this happens who knows but for now I'm thankful that we have this just about stomped on. First thing we are planning on this weekend is getting out on our boat for a fish.

Stay safe. Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Taking a breather at Coopers Beach

On Sunday the other half (who is an essential worker) and I drove briefly up to Coopers Beach which is about an hour north of us. Such an amazing beautiful coastline and with us going into Autumn right now the day was overcast but it was so good to get out to breath some ocean air. I spotted this father and son doing a spot of surf casting with their rods, it doesn't look like they caught anything as there was so much seaweed in the tide.

We stopped at the beach and I took photos of the scenery including this guy while the other half crossed the road and waited in line (with 2 metre social distancing of course) to order some fish and chips - while he bought some battered fresh fish I had some battered mussels.

Our large bird friend above is apparently a Black Backed Gull (Karoro) and was 3 times the size of the squawky seagulls.  They are known to be quite aggressive towards other birds because they apparently pick on some of the endangered species like Terns, Black Billed Gulls and the Banded Dotterils. They are not threatened at all, live for about 14 years and breed from mid October to late January - from Spring to mid Summer.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, My Corner of the World and Wordless Wednesday.

Strictly for the bears

While everyone was in level 4 lockdown here there was an idea put out for people to put bears in their windows to entertain children that were going for walks with their parents.  I saw this one, above though when I was out walking last week, although I read a story last week about the person who made this and others I can't find it now (isn't that the way) but this one was on the outside of this gate in the main street of town - certainly different that sitting one in the window.

And then I saw these sitting in the window of a car parts shop in town - I love the book they are reading, it's very apt isn't it? I've had my bear in one of our downstairs windows since we moved here - she is simply named Ted and she is about 45 years old. My nana gave her to me when I was very little, she needs a bit of work done here and there but she's still in good condition.

There is talk here of us possibly going into level 2 tomorrow which means less strict lockdown conditions. More businesses will be able to open and I might possibly have a weekend job in a gardening shop which is better than nothing.

Hope you're staying safe where you are.

Kerikeri Heritage Bypass

Since we've dropped down to Alert level 3 I've been getting out each day walking around our town.  On the way out is this bridge named the Heritage Bypass which leads out to Waipapa and I found a path next to it which took me down to this quiet little area next to the Fairy Pools where I was last week taking photos of Fungi.

The stillness of the early morning is so nice to breathe in - hardly anyone else around too and so much nicer than using my treadmill every day.

How have you been passing the time?  I don't know if anyone else has noticed some good deals around in stores online but we have been wanting to get a decent bed for quite some time. The last one we bought about 4 years ago was meant to be medium soft but it's not been very nice to sleep on as it doesn't seem to mold to our shapes when we lie down, feels quite stiff and we seem to wake up more tired than when we went to sleep. We happened to see online some great deals, one of which had 70% off so we bit the bullet and ordered a much softer one from a more well known shop. 

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Weekend Reflections.

Man's best friend

I've been trying to get out each morning for a walk in the fresh air. Up until last week while we were under lockdown alert level 4 I was using my treadmill but I find being outside is so much nicer.

While I was walking along the main street I saw this happy interaction between a dog and a passerby. Later on after posting it on Facebook I found out that apparently we aren't meant to pat other peoples dogs (and cats) as the coronavirus can transfer onto fur. I wasn't aware of this rule so it was definitely news to me. btw if any of you want to add me on Facebook just leave me a comment and I'll try to look you up or you can search me via using this blog name.

Linking up with My Corner of the World and Wordless Wednesday.

Modern collective streetwear

We don't have many murals here but I did find this one on the side of the one of the business buildings which is a mixture of things but in general seems to be advertising Modern Collective Streetwear - a clothing shop which has stores in Whangarei, Paihia and Kerikeri.

Last week we moved down to Alert Level 3 but it seems we still have plenty of idiots about. In last night's news there was a story about people flocking to a South Island beach and most of them not observing the 2 metre rule. So we're still suppose to be in lockdown unless you have essential travel and people just dont' seem to care - what's up with that?

Linking up with Monday Murals and Our World Tuesday

Contactless deliveries

There are alot of business all over our country who were able to open up this week strictly for online orders and contactless deliveries.  These signs were written up outside one of the local restaurants.

And this one is a local florist down the road from me - with people still wanting to buy products it seems to be the most popular and safe option at the moment.

Unfortunately it hasn't been the same everywhere - eating places such as Burger Fuel, McDonalds, KFC etc were able to open their drive through services but people have been in such a huge rush to buy food that they have forgotten the 2 metre distancing rule. My 2 adult children went back to work Tuesday night and there were lines of cars going down the roads and around the corners - you would've thought that they hadn't eaten for a month.