Old Kaeo shack

 Sometimes on my travels into different towns I see farm sheds that are falling apart or dilipated shacks. This one is along a dirt road full of pot holes, I wouldn't say there are alot of houses in this part, more like farms and dwellings people have put together to save money. I suspect the one on the left was a type of garage and the one on the right maybe a small house? Thoughts?

I'm sorry I haven't visited much this week, we were looking in car yards last week for a car I could upgrade mine too and the salesman had a head cold, so we have all been down with it. It was our first day of Winter on the 1st June - we tend to get alot of sunny days and cold nights so expect alot more skies like this over the next 3 months.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Rawene Methodist Church

Most of you out there know by now I have a thing for old historical churches and cemeteries - this one I had been meaning to explore for some time.  The Rawene Methodist Church is on NZ's heritage list and was built by a William Cook in 1876 and is an example of a timber building made in gothic style.

Due to a failing congregation the church is now privately owned and the owners were granted $18,000 in 2019 to carry out work on it that respects the history as part of the National Preservation Incentive Fund. Apparently it will be transformed into an artists studio - I can't wait to see it when it's finished. 

Linking up with Skywatch Friday. 

Kaeo History

 

Another mural from Kaeo this week, this one is on the wall of the Farm and Fuel shop - I did try to find some background on it but apart from the artist being J. Marsden there was no further information, I'm assuming that it pays tribute to the town's farming history.

So a bit more about the town...at the 2018 census there was a population of 1,191 people so it's a very small settlement.  The town takes its name from the kāeo or New Zealand freshwater mussel, which is found in the nearby rivers. Kaeo is built on the flood plain of the Kaeo River and has experienced destructive flooding. It came to national attention in 2007 when it took the brunt of three major floods within the space of a few months - in February, March and July. Water flooded homes and shops and destroyed the primary school's pool complex. The local rugby clubrooms also suffered, and the club received support from the whole country as it raised funds to lift the clubrooms off the ground to minimise the risk of damage from further flooding.

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Samuel Marsden Memorial Church

When we first came up to the far north on holiday in April 2018 we drove through Matauri Bay and just before the road to the beach and campground there is this small church with a Maori urupa attached to it.

It's named after Samuel Marsden, the first missionary to New Zealand who came here in 1814 to minister to the Maori people. Accompanying Marsden were missionaries Thomas Kendall, William Hall and John King and their families; John Liddiard Nicholas (author of “Narrative of a Voyage to New Zealand”) and Ruatara, Hongi Hika, Korokoro, Te Nganga, Tui and Maui.

The great Ngapuhi war chief, Hongi Hika welcomed Marsden and his colleagues with haka (war dances), inviting them to a feast. They spent the night with Hongi Hika and his people at Putataua Bay before continuing to Rangihoua in the Bay of Islands to establish the first mission station.

The small Anglican church beside the road, some 400 metres before the beach, is the Samuel Marsden Memorial Church, named in honour of the missionary's arrival on these shores. The lettering above the gate to the churchyard and urupa (cemetery) reads “Te Tou O Taki”.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

The Rainbow Warrior Debacle

Yesterday the other half and I decided to travel the 15 minutes to nearby Matauri Bay so we could visit the Rainbow Warrior monument. We entered through the caravan park which had quite a few campers but still relatively quiet over Winter.

Past both sides of the beach around the coastline - the waves were very choppy. We were in 2 minds as to whether to go out on our boat or not but good that we didn't.

Walking up 2 quite steep paths to the top - I'm not the fittest person so I stopped a few times to catch my breath. You are probably wondering what's the story behind the monument. On 10th July 1985 the Greenpeace ship The Rainbow Warrior was moored in Auckland ready to confront French nuclear testing in the Morurua Atoll in the Pacific.

The captain and other crew members are fast asleep but a few others including the photographer were still up chatting with each other. Suddenly the lights went out, glass is broken along with a huge roar of water and 2 explosions heard.  Those who were already on deck managed to leap to safety onto the wharf but the photographer Fernando Pereira had been caught in a wave and drowned.

In an attempt to neutralise the ship ahead of it's planned protest French secret service agents in diving gear had attached 2 packets of plastic wrapped explosives to it, 1 to the propeller and 1 to the outer wall of the engine room. At first the French Government denied all knowledge of it but it soon became obvious that they were involved. Eventually Prime Minister Laurent Fabius appeared on the television and admitted that their secret service agents had sunk the boat and were acting upon orders. Shortly after the Defence Minister of France resigned.

The 2 agents stood trial, Dominique Prieur and Alain Mafart had posed as Swiss tourists pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter and wilful damage and were given sentences of 10 and 7 years but they were released with 2 years. A UN negotiated settlement meant they were transferred to Hao Atoll a French military base in French Polynesia.

The spy who infiltrated the Greenpeace NZ office ahead of the bombing Christine Cabon evaded arrest in Israel and hasn't been seen since. The whereabouts of the combat frogman with the alias Jean-Michel Berthelot - one of the 2 divers believed to have planted the bomb are unknown.

The Rainbow Warrior was named after a North American Cree Indian prophecy "When the world is sick and dying, the people will rise up like warriors of the rainbow".  On it's bow she carried the dove of peace carrying an olive branch and around the hull was painted the rainbow.

After the bombing the ship was given a resting place here at Matauri Bay where it became a living reef attracting marine life and recreational divers. Greenpeace replaced her with a new vessel and for 22 years the second Rainbow Warrior has campaigned for a safer future.  In 2011 the newest Rainbow Warrior the world's first purpose built environmental campaigning ship readied herself to carry on the original Rainbow Warrior's spirit.

I was a teenager when this happened, I was 14 and remember the huge public outcry of fellow kiwis as the 2 French agents got off their sentences with a slap on the wrist.   The memorial monument itself was the world of kiwi artist Chris Booth and was commissioned by Ngati Kura along with NZ China Clays.

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

The Wedge - Rawene

Last time we were up in Rawene I took a photo of this unusual building on the corner of 2 streets while I admired the different bright colours.  Apparently it was built in the late 1940s to be used as a 2 storey joinery workshop and it's known as "the wedge" because of it's triangular design.

A few business have occupied different parts over the years including Prime Minister David Lange back when he was a young lawyer early in his career but nowadays it has a real estate at one end and a puzzle shop at the other.

But with a view like this why wouldn't you want to be in there?

Speaking of colour I've been out in the garden here again, I had ordered some little plants online which ended up being way less expensive than I would buy in a nursery. Because we have mostly native plants here I stuck with the theme and ordered some Hebes, some Cuphea and some Brachycome which are mostly low growing but will fill up some bare spots. When I'm out walking sometimes I pick some cuttings out of public gardens to taken home and root so when it rains I will put those out too.

We did get the go ahead from our landlord to remove a noxious plants that had self seeded everywhere, one of which is called Bear's Breeches which can grow up to 2 metres wide and high in the right places and with our garden being quite small it was taking over our lemon tree and flaxes. After digging half a dozen out there were 2 left that were stuck in corners I couldn't get to so I will wait for the other half to help when he has time.

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

Kaeo Spice Grill Mural

I was out at Kaeo a couple of weeks ago taking photos of some historical places and saw this mural on the side of the Spice Grill Indian Takeaways Restaurant. I've tried finding out who the artist is but all I can make out on the bottom left looks something like "Firka"?!? but it accurately says "we all have our own packets to bear" which I took to mean "burdens".

We were out in the boat today but we weren't too successful in catching anything worthy, the other half caught loads of baby snapper which he threw back and I caught what looked like a 1 metre shark which also got let go. Normally Winter is quiet with not many other boaties out there but today it looked like we weren't the only ones not having much luck.

Linking up with Mural Monday and Our World Tuesday.

The Kauri Ohaeawai Hotel

2 days ago I drove through to Kaikohe and stopped in at Ohaeawai, about 20 minutes away from us. Luckily I was able to dodge the rain and hail to take a few photos around the area.

Built in 1895 the Ohaeawai (also known as Taiamai) Hotel was originally made of Kauri and is situated on the corner of the main state highway 12 and state highway 1. It has 2 bars, one currently being run as a cafe, a gaming room, large dining room, commercial kitchen, cool store, cellar and office.  It is on the Heritage NZ list as a category 2 building and the land plus building is up for sale at the moment.

I would imagine a hotel like this in a small town, like many others would find it hard to do a regular trade and if it were me I would run it as a hotel and backpackers for tourists. What would you do with it?

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

The Waimate North Lych Gate

I was out again at the Waimate North Mission Station yesterday as it's one of my favourite historical spots in the far north.  It was a very dreary Winter's day so I spent most of the time trying to dodge the raindrops while the sun was poking it's head out hence the overcast clouds in the photo above. There is a missionary house not far off on the other side of the driveway but for this post I'd like to focus on this entranceway to the church and cemetery.

According to my research the church itself was built in 1831 but this gate was built just under 100 years later in 1929 to mark the centenary of the settlement. A tablet was also placed inside the church in commemoration of the early missionaries to the area.  Inside on the walls of the gate are plaques in honour of fallen soldiers from the area who fought in the Battle of Ohaeawai in 1845. A church service and communion were held in the open air, the unveiling in the afternoon and a Maori powhiri (welcome) afterwards. In amongst the invited guests was Bishop Bennett (the first Maori Bishop) along with 26 clergy (17 of them Maori).

There were 2 speakers on the day, Mr E.A. Ransom (Minister of Public Works) who said "the time has come for the government to recognize a greater responsibility to the Maori people in regard to the occupation of their lands. And the honourable Joseph Coates who was the prime minister from 1925 to 1928 said "there should not be differentiation between the two races. The Maori should be given the same chances as the European people" and how his father had impressed upon him that he and his fellow settlers would have starved in the early days if it had not been for the generosity of the Maori people.

To me those words should still be considered today.  Hope you're staying safe where you are. Kia kaha.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Taumarumaru Scenic Reserve

A few days ago I posted about our visit to Rangikapiti Pa site in Mangonui, this one is also another of the same but instead it's been renamed "Taumarumaru Scenic Reserve" and it's located in Cooper's Beach (Doubtless Bay).

There were suppose to be terraces and storage pits but large areas of the land was covered in scrub and weeds so apart from the walking track and miles of long grass the only thing to see was the coastline, but we definitely weren't complaining about that.

This one was a bit more of a walk than the last one, several hills to climb but worth the views on the way up.  This reserve doesn't just have 1 pa site it apparently has 3 which had historical significance to the Ngai Awa and later Ngati Kahu people. 

 It is 22ha in size and was purchased by the Crown in 1984 for public enjoyment, people are allowed to bring their dogs as long as they are on a leash.  This was the view over the coastline from the top looking towards the Mangonui and Hihi Beach area.

Looking over the other side this is the view over Cooper's Beach and Taipa.

The top track lead either way to either straight down or another one here lead down to a pristine beach with golden sand.

Once we were down there it was nice to paddle in the cool water. We get fairly mild winters up here so you can still sit on a beach and enjoy the sun when it's out.  Since we visited here on a Monday we were pretty much the only ones around.

Stay safe where you are, kia kaha.

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

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.

Fairy Pool Fungi

I pushed myself to get out of the house yesterday for some fresh air and walked down by the Kerikeri Fairy Pools. There are different nature walks there, the one I completed was about 45 minutes worth. On the way I took these shots of some spectacular looking Fungi. I think this one, above is a Yellow-brown Woodtuft.

I think these may be Split Gills (Schizophyllum Commune) - it's found from Autumn to Spring on dead wood.

Another rather beaten up Yellow brown Woodtuft, this one growing out of the soil.

This little toadstool, Cortinarius Genus was growing amongst the leaves. They are found around the world and come out in Autumn.

After much researching online all I can come up with is that this is some type of Puffball Mushroom but not sure of the exact name.

These babies are known as Fairy Bonnets (Coprinellus Disseminatus). They sprout after heavy rains and last for a few days. They grow in clusters and groups on wet wood.

More tiny Yellow-brown woodtufts growing on this stick.  Yesterday our country stepped back to Alert Level 3 that means we are allowed to meet up with small amounts of other people in our friends or family groups, businesses that can operate with online deliveries or drive throughs can open and we are down to a number of under 5 infected people each day so pretty positive really.

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

The beat goes on...

We are finally moved in and are gradually unpacking in bits and pieces, no point stressing. Now that we are at the new property we are basically staying put until the other half starts work next week and I have a job interview at my old workplace. We've had no internet for the last 2 days but it's been quite nice not having the distraction of it other than that  we can't go for nature walks, can't go sight seeing, can't explore new places, can't do much at all but it's for the best really.

Our Coronavirus count has gone up to 451 as of today and mostly spready by kiwis coming back from overseas and a few tourists here and there but I suspect there will be more of people who weren't tested who were no doubt self isolating at home. Sadly there are still some other people though who are out and about, swimming at beaches, going for unimportant walks and drives - these people concern me as we are all meant to be in lockdown only going out if it's absolutely necessary.

Anyway hope you are all ok, I will go blog visiting later today until then I'll get back to opening a few more boxes...

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.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Today for us is national Waitangi Day which remembers the day the treaty was signed between the Europeans and the Maoris.

This marae located in Paihia was opened in 1922 replacing the original 1881 building, I'm not sure what happened to the earlier one. The land next to it was where the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand (treaty) was signed on 28 October 1835. 5 years later 300 more chiefs sat on the same spot to debate the treaty and signed it on 6 February 1840 at the home of British immigrant James Busby now known as the Waitangi Trust including the museum.

When I was going through the public school system in the 1970s and 1980s I remember being taught the basics of the treaty but when we visited this spot and the museum last Spring it was a truly eye opening experience. We walked out of there feeling quite humble - if you haven't visited the museum I urge you to as it really is well worth it. This year we are very thankful that NZ is the country it is today, we still have many improvements to make in the process of being more accepting of each other but it's good to be a Kiwi.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

We have a decision!

So....we have a decision on where we will move to. The other half had a talk with his area manager who has given him the go ahead on moving and working back in Kerikeri. We are stoked! Yesterday I drove the 2 hours there and back to look at a rental property, we have applied for 2 so fingers crossed we get something. There were quite a few people viewing the one I looked at so obviously I think rentals are hard to come by up there.

On the way back I stopped in Moerewa to take a photo of their local Otiria Marae. I have a thing for Maori Maraes - I just love the carvings and the artwork on the buildings.  I never go straight onto a Marae, it's like someone barging into your own house without being invited - I always take photos outside the boundary, it's more respect than anything.

The history of it is that in 1950 Judge Pritchard of the Maori Land Court opened the war memorial hall, on the left of this photo. The tablet on the outside is dedicated to the memory of the pakeha and maori men who gave their lives for their country. 3 years later the work began on the Marae - the carvings were begun by Eramiha Kapua and finished by Hori Waititi. Governor General Sir Bernard Fergusson opened it in 1964.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Time for a heat wave

Last year at this time we were exploring the far north of NZ. One place named "Long Beach" is about 10 minutes out of Russell and it was a scorching hot day.

This year we're facing a heatwave and the prospect of a drought - everything is so dry and it need of at least 2 days of rain. We have had to pre-order a water delivery for next week as sometimes there can be a 2 week wait. We were meant to have a large storm hit us yesterday but in the end all we got was 5 minutes of moisture and that was it.

Other than that we have made plans to visit the West Coast of the South Island in 2 weekends time to check it out and see what we think. We will fly down to Nelson and the other half's sister who lives down that way has kindly offered us the use of her car so we don't have to hire one.  And I started work last week, at the moment it's very part time like as in 2-3 days a week but it's better than nothing.

Bay of Islands Vintage Railway

It's not often we drive through Kawakawa, but last Saturday as we passed through I stopped to take some photos of the vintage trains. Apparently the railway first began in 1864 when coal was discovered then a tramway was built 4 years later.

The old tram tracks, which still run through the town were replaced by the railway line now there and the first rails were opened in 1877. The link through to Opua was finished in 1884 and led to Opua becoming a deep sea port.

Apparently the last train pulled out of Opua in 1977 and although there were attempts to continue the rail service the tracks fell into disrepair and after 122 years it was threatened with closure.

In 1984 the railway was granted a reprieve and the Bay of Islands railway was born. There is a steam train named "Gabriel" (the green one above) - this one is currently under restoration.

There is also a diesel red engine named "Dewey" built in 1896, a blue one named "Timmy" built in 1959 and a green one named "Charlie" made in 1967.

4 trains are scheduled to run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday all year and the railway is a non-profit. It also includes a cafe and giftshop people can buy souvenirs from.

And here is one of the trains making it's way on it's journey around Kawakawa.

Linking up with My Corner of the World.

What a beauty!

I couldn't help but take a photo of this baby when we were having lunch with the other half's cousin in the weekend. This olds mobile was parked at the Whangaroa Harbour wharf. Wouldn't you just love to cruise around in it?

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.