Fire season in the Far North

The above photo was taken in Ahipara about 2 years ago on a Winter's day. The whole of the far north of NZ which is where we live has just gone into a total fire ban, you can't even apply for a permit. This includes fire lit barbeques, fireworks, incinerators etc. Earlier this week there was a major fire in Ahipara, a small town about 90 minutes from us that started from someone burning scrub/rubbish. It got so major that residents had to evacuate their homes. 

With New Year's eve being today for us we are hoping it will be quiet but won't hold our breath. It is tinder dry here and our siren has been going off at least twice daily. Last night we heard someone lighting fire works which is idiotic, anyway Happy New Year to everyone, thank you so much for following me and commenting on my posts, hopefully 2021 will be easier for everyone.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

A slow moving shipwreck

Last year we visited Shipwreck Bay (Te Kohanga) in Ahipara. Usually a perfect surfing spot it is well known for still containing some old wrecks that are visible at low tide and was featured in the 1966 movie "Endless Summer".

So our infection level is up to 102 as of this morning and it seems our prime minister has moved our country to alert level 3 and then straight onto level 4 on Wednesday. What that means is that all schools, restaurants, bars, public places have to close - the only places that are allowed to remain open are essential services such as hospitals, doctor's surgeries by phone appointment, technicians (such as my other half who fixes phones, broadband etc), supermarkets and shops etc.

Unfrotunately even though people have been told numerous times not to panic and stockpile they have ramped it up another level. Some supermarkets have police and security services there to only let in certain amounts of people at a time. It's quite ridiculous really. We had a hiccup here, we had a moving truck pre-cooked a month ago, they phoned us today to cancel as they have been told to close and go into lockdown. In the end we managed to find another removal truck in another town that we can hire for 3 days over the weekend.

So for the next 4 weeks everyone has to stay home and only essential travel is allowed. We are hoping this blows over quickly but it's the retailers I feel sorry for - so many businesses will probably go under.

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

Little old house in Ahipara

This little place with it's ripped curtains and it's boarded up windows caught my attention last time we were in Ahipara. It wasn't hard to get to, right next to St Clement's Anglican Church it sits just off the road surrounded by overgrown grass and a muddy dirt driveway.

According to a couple of people who saw the photo after I shared it on a historical places page, it was first owned by a couple who lived in it in the 1940s and then owned by a local Kuia Tohunga (a Maori elder who was a natural healer). After she died it fell into abandonment, we didn't have time to go inside but maybe next time we are up that way I might have a look.

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

St Clement's Anglican Church

Nestled on a small hill just around the corner from Ahipara township and bay is this little wee gem. St Clement's Anglican Church and cemetery dates back to around 1873 and was named "Pukemiro" after the hill that is stands on.

As per an old Maori story this area was chosen as a sacred burial spot for Poroa who was the Chief of Te Rawara - he lived here when times were peaceful. Most of the graves are from the 1800s with a few of them surrounded by old iron fencing.

Inside everything looks quite tidy, humble and well looked after. The church itself was built by local Maoris named Inoka Tutangiora, Rapata Wharawhara and Kihirini Te Morenga under the guidance of Richard Matthews who was the son of Joseph Matthews (part of the Missionary Society).

The view from the top steps next to the church looks out over miles of farmland. In 2012 restoration committee of the church were looking for funding to restore the church, I'd say since then alot of work has been done quite tastefully. After sharing these photos on Facebook I had a few people tell me their Tupuna (ancestors) were buried there.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday and My corner of the world.

Winter in Ahipara Bay

We were up in Ahipara Bay last weekend. It's a small beachside settlement about 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Kerikeri just past Kaitaia.  Rather a chilly windy Winter's day but it was still good to get out in the fresh air. I have a thing for driftwood, I like seeing all the different shapes and patterns made by nature and the ocean on the wood.

The tide was going out and this particular coastline is at the southern part of 90 Mile beach so you can pretty much drive your car or quad along the sand.

We had the other B's work 4 wheel drive so there was no way we could get stuck. Quite a few people here and there walking their dogs and sitting on the sand with their children.

Ahi means "fire" and para means "fern" - it's translate as "fire at which fern was cooked". Before the 18th century this place was named "Wharo" which means "stretched out" and considering the length of the beach I would agree with that.