This is the first time we have spent any time in the Kaipara Harbour and so a little jaunt seemed appropriate. We were going to head to Port Albert but we instead headed for a place called Batley where we were told we would be impressed with an old stately home.
And we certainly were as we rounded the last corner into the bay this magnificent building presented itself.
Batley is on the end of one of the many peninsulars that jut into the Kaipara Harbour. Each of them has a tale to tell as the whole area has a long Maori and European history.
On the way out of Batley spotted what looked like a road along the foreshore on the distance, on closer inspection it turned into a sandbar with many birds parading
On the road away from Batley there was one turnoff so we had to go and have look just in case we might miss something. The road went to Tanoa. The main features being a Marae, Church, Sandy Beach and a statue in the Marae grounds. The statue is in fact a bust of Queen Victoria which is presented in a glass case on a plinth.
The church is typical of those found in many of the small country areas in Northland (or for that matter throughout country New Zealand. An enclosed graveyard alongside the church records the pioneers and Maori families from the area.
The sandy beach provides a view of Batley in the far distance and the large house can be seen.
On the road toward Maungaturoto we saw the unusual site of a large number (muster/ostentation/pride) of Peacocks running around in a paddock next to the road, but if course as soon as we stopped to take a photo they all scarpered back in to hiding among the tussocks.
Next we did a long loop which took us back past the Whakapirau Road to Paparoa and from there out to Tinopai. Why? Well why not, we were here and we might as well see more. Tinopai is on the peninsula which is the separated by the Wairoa River from the West Coast northern headland of the Kaipara Harbour. This photo looks down the harbour toward the entrance. We were there when the tide was running out and there was a strong current heading out.
There is a relatively new wharf/pier structure at the south end of Tinopai along from the launching ramp.
We were at Tinopai on market day, just a small affair in the local hall, primarily bits and pieces but we did manage to score a bargain. We had recently purchased a couple of serrated small knives for about $12.00 each, which was a bit steep, and were looking at getting a couple more. Well we managed to find a lady selling exactly the knives we wanted at Tinopai and not only that but the price was $6.00 a piece!!
From Tinopai we headed back toward Matakohe the home of the Kauri Museum. We had visited the museum some years ago. But we arrived on this day it was close to closing time so we gave it a miss but took some photos of the surrounding buildings. The whole area looks very tidy but also very quiet at this time of year.
The Church is opposite the museum while the old Post and Telegraph office is alongside the museum.
Further along the road we came across this unusual sign. Does it mean ‘go fly a kite’ in a derogatory sense or does it have real meaning? This was at the intersection of State Highway 12 and the turn off to Tinopai.
However, in the opposite direction to the sign and up on a hill could be seen these beasts. The long tailed ‘tadpole’ was probably in excess of 4 metres long and the parasail type one was some 3 metres wide. Apparently there is a lot of kite flying in this area.
Meanwhile back a Whakapirau another glorious morning gave another great reflection shot.
And of course the ducks were still keeping away from the maimais
Boats aren’t the only reflections around, the one on the left is on our side at Whakapirau, the one on the right opposite us at Pahi
Just to show that occasionally the days are not quite so fine these to are from the upper deck during rain squalls
However next morning brought a very impressive rainbow in the light drizzle.
Didn’t quite zip these together but you get the idea.
Now when we said we had a problem getting in to the drive at Jacky & Chris’ we had a few getting out as well. There are no action shots as there was a lot of attention on getting out and too much tension to allow time for photos.
We were parked at the end of the slab on the metal and grass area. No problem getting going but then we had to turn rather sharply to the left to get onto the dive, not so easy requiring backing and filling and leaving some rubber behind when we couldn’t reverse
The rest was relatively painless until the hairpin at the top. This necessitated a little use of language to negotiate but did not require the back and fill required to get down. This shot shows it from the top and as can be seen there is no room on the right to swing before the corner and one immediately loses sight of the road.
Oh and here is a shot of a car on the drive which goes to show it is not overly wide
Next time we are unlikely to drive in!!!
This rather industrious person was seen reducing some of the half metre high kikuyu down to size. She really does look the part when all togged up for the job
And finally just a couple of nature shots.
These two of an interesting looking fungus growing on a young Puriri.
And these of the flowers of a Kohekohe tree.
concentrating on playing Sequence
The Vanninis' Manoeuvres 