Fishing

My parents flew home yesterday morning after visiting here for the last week so B and I drove them around town and to some other places. We also took them down to the local fishing wharf we we watched this man fishing off the rocks. He caught a baby shark while we were there and we were pleased that he threw it back in the water.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world, Wordless Wednesday. 

Moving along

An old shot from when we lived in Mount Maunganui from 2016 until 2018. Pilot Bay was a very popular place to launch boat from. Always a busy beach over Summer.

Linking up with Weekend reflections and the Weekend roundup.

Marac and Motorbikes

Just over 2 weeks ago it was miserable and cold now it seems that Spring is on it's way. We haven't been using our fire for quite some time, the extra blankets have been taken off beds, washing is being hung on the line outside more and we are enjoying more sunny days. 

One thing we've noticed since living in Greymouth is that no one except commercial fishermen own fishing boats, that's the reason why we sold our boat before moving here. We have been buying fresh fish most weeks and it seems Bruno likes it too.

Linking up with Through my lens, Ruby Tuesday, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Fishing for Gurnard

While we were in Greymouth recently we stopped at the local marina where we saw quite a few fishermen/and women surfcasting off the rocks. We chatted with a couple who were there from Tauranga - the wife was saying she'd love to move to here whereas the husband said he wouldn't but they did say that the most fish they catch seems to be Gurnard.

We did happen to see a pod of dolphins swimming past at the same time so that was a huge highlight for us. Since then I've also had my booster shot and I'm expecting B and my 3 adult children to get theirs too.

And speaking of the West Coast I have some news. We have decided to move to Greymouth by Winter of this year. B's job has been gradually slowing down up here and he has been offered steady regular work down there, my adult children and I can transfer our jobs from here to there. Our goal is to buy a house as properties are alot less expensive there so we are really excited so that is going to be our forever place where we don't have to move again.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, Travel Tuesday, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Fishing for luck

Last week we drove out to nearby Opua to buy some fishing supplies. We had recently been out in our boat only to have our anchor get stuck on one of the rocks under the boat causing us to lose it. We checked our local fishing store but they didn't stock them, only a shop in Opua had them so we ended up buying a new one along with some hooks, weights and new rope. I spotted two people fishing but not sure how good they got on as the water was so brown after all the rain we've had lately.

Have any of you been trying to cut down your time on social media? I've been trying to wean myself off for the last few days, just so much negativity and vile comments being made. People sadly think it's ok to bully others.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Gone fishing

One from our recent stay in Auckland - as I lived on the North Shore for about 25 years this was one suburb I hadn't spent much time in. The Bayswater Marina is between Takapuna and Devonport and on the opposite side is the motorway into the city - the big building in the distance is one of the main Police stations.

The guys in the top photo looked like they were on a mission with their rods and equipment. I wondered if they owned one of the many boats moored here or whether they were doing some surf-casting from the land.

One for Weekend Reflections and The Weekend Roundup.

Fishing in Leigh

While cleaning up some of my stored photos I found this shot that would've been taken about 8 years ago in Leigh, just out of Matakana. Fishing is a popular sport here in New Zealand and most people either use a tractor or a large vehicle to take their boat out into the water. As this photo was taken on a Winter's day I'm hoping the 2 fishermen caught some nice fish as it's the perfect season to be out on the water.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and The Weekend Roundup.

Giant Marlin in Paihia

 I've seen this sculpture of a Marlin in Paihia many times but after taking this photo of it last week I thought I would do some research into it. Apparently a family named "Fuller" of the "Fuller's Cruises" here in NZ donated it in 2017 and pays homage to the fishing industry here in the far north. 

Marlin are a type of big game fish up here and you need a really big strong rod with lots of patience to reel them in. I've never caught one but New Zealand ones can get to between 70 and 220kg with a length of up to 4 metres. The heaviest ever caught was 224.1kg here in the Bay of Islands.

btw that's my daughter in the photo 😊

Linking up with Timeless Thursdays and Skywatch Friday.

Traditional fishing at Quince's Landing

Along a very narrow bumpy track on the outskirts of town is this space - Quinces Landing as it's called was a small bay once used by both Maori and Pakeha to catch fish. From what I saw the ground was littered with oyster shells so I'm assuming there is an oyster farm somewhere out in the water.

 In 2017 Heritage NZ organized an event for people to enjoy a live archaeological experience which involved not just using a traditional stone fish trap but also learning other skills such as making a knife out of obsidian to cut and scale the fish which I think would be mostly Snapper.

Linking up with Timeless Thursdays and Skywatch Friday.

Edited to add: because I receive a regular amount of anonymous spam comments I've disabled anonymous people being able to comment.

The best intentions

So yesterday we decided that because the water was calm with no breeze it might be a good day to take the boat out for a fish but unfortunately it didn't quite go to plan.

Once we got out on the water the motor made the decision to play up, at first we thought there was a fuel issue but after tweaking it still was giving us problems so we played it safe and came home, bit disappointing really but better than getting stranded.

The boat in the photo above isn't ours, it was another fisherman I took a shot of while the other half was fixing ours.  I do think I need to get myself a new pair of gumboots though as mine filled up with water and it wasn't much fun sitting around with soggy wet feet. We don't get snow here as we are in the upper top of the north island but we do get damp chilly temperatures, for instance last night we got to about 5 deg celsius.

So in other news it seems we have no active coronavirus cases now.  Yesterday our government decided that at midnight last night we could move back to level 1 which is a tremendous but necessary step but that our borders will remain closed. I think everyone is happy with that.

Stafe safe - kia kaha. Linking up with Our World Tuesday.

Back home and bored

We are still under lockdown and at the end of the 1st of 4 weeks we now are up to 797 as of today with the number climbing daily. But the important thing for us is that we are back home and settled in - we have done all of the unpacking. I was expecting to have my old job back but they are mucking me around so I have been applying other places instead and up here I have more of a chance in finding work. It has been boring being at home every day so we are looking forward to getting out for a fish again.

I did read something cool this morning. On one of our local Facebook pages I saw some local high school students crocheted some blankets which were donated to a womens refuge centre, hopefully they will be well used and appreciated. 

Our clocks are changing this weekend as we go into Autumn and I am excited about cooking some soup in my crock pot and making some fresh bread to go with it. I have also heard that alot of supermarkets seem to have run out of flour so I read today that apparently you can substitute it with things like breadcrumbs, oats or chickpeas - all of which are staples in my pantry. Hope your week has been good.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

The end of Summer

...is in sight and I couldn't be happier. Our town is quietening down now with only a few holiday makers up over the weekends. Apparently we are meant to be having 2 cyclones coming over the country in the next few days, one from Vanuatu and one from the south and it's meant to be only grazing over us - pity because we still need the rain.

We haven't heard about the rental properties we applied for yet, must be in short demand because the other half said the last 2 he looked at had another 6 lots of people there as well as him. My daughter has been sick with a flu, but she's on the mend now - I started feeling like I was coming down with it yesterday so when I felt freezing cold it was strange being dressed up in winter clothing huddling on the couch under a blanket but today I seem to have come right again.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Fishing time at Scott's Landing

I first drove out here to Scott's Landing about 5 years ago and last week weekend we drove out there a good 45 minutes or so from home. Such a nice day and not much different from when I was previously here.

I happened to be reading their website and saw that a beach cleanup has been scheduled for early November. Definitely a good thing and something that should be done for every town on a regular basis - wishful thinking on my part maybe.

Anyway good news, I've been offered a permanent part-time job in another town about 20 minutes from here that I've decided to accept, start date is in 2 weeks time so looking forward to that.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Fresh fish in Mangonui

Mangonui is one of those places in NZ's far north where the fishing is pretty good. On our last stop there we watched a truck wait at the edge of the wharf while the fishing boats bought their catch in. These fish will probably be going to local restaurants and shops to be sold - can't beat fresh seafood.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Tropical Cyclone Oma

This is where we take our boat, out at Opito Bay a favourite place of ours. This is the other half's work ute launching it off the boat ramp. This week we have rain which is sorely needed here, so many people who live rural and have huge 10,000 litre tanks for rain are starting to nearly run out and farmers need their grass to grow for cattle. We have a cyclone forecast for this weekend but at this stage we don't know whether it's heading for us or Australia. Either way I"m sure it'll bring some much needed relief.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Summer at Opito Bay

Opito Bay is the place about 10 minutes from where we live that we drive to with our boat to launch from the ramp. I couldn't resist taking this shot from out on the water of the bay.

Summer is finally here and with the red pohutukawa trees blooming, the hot sun beaming down on us and birds singing we are enjoying every minute of it.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday.

Whangaroa's boat ramp

After a week of thunderstorms and rain we finally have blue skies again. December 1st is the first day of Summer for us kiwis but it certainly hasn't felt like it. We are off to look at a boat to possibly buy on Sunday morning for fishing and this boat ramp in Whangaroa's harbour is one place we can easily launch off. Here's to more Summer days!

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Overcast Opua Wharf

Opua wharf is maybe 45 minutes from Kerikeri, quiet small area where houses are built on the hills and cliffs. Down by the water is a Fish n Chip shop, wharf and marina. We weren't there for long, we had a quick look around and set off home again after - one of those overcast warm Spring days.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Very quiet Oponini

This is one very quiet place in the off season times of Autumn, Winter and Spring. Oponini is located on the west coast of Northland. In 1855, John Webster, who had arrived in New Zealand in 1841, bought 700 acres of rough land at Opononi and established a homestead and pastoral farm which he developed into a showplace, entertaining vice-royalty several times. He also built a wharf, gum-store and a trading store. In 1894, Webster put the house and farm on the market. The store and gum store were taken over by Alfred Sprye Andrewes who later converted the gum store into a two storey hotel.

Opononi became famous throughout New Zealand in the summer of 1955 and 1956 due to the exploits of a dolphin called Opo. The Opononi Post and Telephone was opened in 1892 and operated until 1989. The road between Opononi and Omapere was developed in the mid 1930s leading to ribbon development. In 1959, a fire destroyed the Opononi Hotel and Opononi Store. Information from: Hokianga Tourism.

On the brief time we were there it was very quiet, the pub was closed and the only sign of action was a fishing charter taking people out into the harbour. A nice spot, but a bit too quiet for me.

Te Wahapu O Whangaroa

Whangaroa Harbour - just beautiful - probably one of my favourite ever spots here in Northland. So quiet, peaceful, more of a seasonal holiday place but also a great fishing area.

On the welcoming sign into the harbour it says "Te Wahapu O" meaning The Door to Whangaroa "Whanga" meaning wait and "roa" meaning long. Not sure of that translation - maybe it means The door to waiting there for a long time? who knows but I wanted to stay there longer it was so lovely.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday.