During the 2019/2020 Christmas Holidays we spent three weeks in the winterless but also internet-less North. So what better thing is there to do while in Lockdown for the second time, while the wind and rain are buffeting our house, than to finally do a catch up on my blog. This is the perfect time to write of all things sunny and flick through photos of warmth, family and seashores.
THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 - WHANGARURU
At last it was time to head North for our much anticipated Christmas holidays. We left home at 5:00 am to avoid the Boxing Day build up of traffic at the Puhoi tunnel. Our cunning plan worked brilliantly. Traffic was super light. We stopped just past Warkworth for gas but otherwise didn't stop, arriving at Whangaruru Beachfront Camp about 8:00 am. We parked on our site and headed around to meet up with Laura and Jono, and Jono's parents, Wayne and Christine. Got my first Christmas cuddles with Vincey.
When it was time for Vincey's nap we went and set up our camp. Once we were sorted we went back to the Aston's to do the Christmas pressie thing. I got a fab selfie stick that took photos like this.
We all went down to the beach to witness the fire that was raging on the other side of the bay. While the boys were absorbed with the fire, I was working on some serious intel about where to find the pipis, tuatuas and cockles. Dave, Jono, Wayne, Nick and Maddi headed out in Pendragon to hunt and gather while Lura and I went for a long walk with Vincey to get him to sleep with moderate success - well he slept for 30 minutes. Unfortunately the quality of my intel was not great and the hunter/gatherers came back empty handed. The afternoon passed very pleasantly with Deutz, cheese, salmon and great company.
After such an early start an early night was needed.
FRIDAY 27 DECEMBER 2019 - WHANGARURU
Woke to blue skies after a brilliant nights sleep. Started with a coffee and muffins and headed over to the Aston's to check out how their night had gone. Vincey is teething so they hadn't had a fab night. Stayed and did the Grandparent thing for a bit, returning to our campsite, once Vincey went for his nap, to do some housework and reading. On returning to the Astons we found Vincey a bit miserable so offered to take the wee boy for a walk to the end of the next beach again with moderate success. Back at their campsite, Laurie managed to get some food in to Vince and bath him with Maddie's help, but the pesky teething was getting the better of him.
Eventually he fell asleep on Laura so we headed back to the Beast. I had a really neat play with my selfie stick. We were really impressed with how neat and tidy the camp is looking.
Since our stay last year there has been lots of painting and freshening up happening. At this stage of the visit the showers have been hot with great pressure. Ribs and coleslaw for dinner and another early night.
SATURDAY 28 DECEMBER 2019 - WHANGARURU
I don't know if any of you have read a Stephen King story called "The Langoliers" In this story a plane full of people go back through a crack in time to a place where little creatures called Langoliers gobble up past time. We started thinking of Vincey as a Langolier as he just gobbled up our time. It was way too easy just to become absorbed in watching his every move and generally revel in being part of his world. This meant for some fairly relaxed days around the camp.
We had a slow start with Dave's version of mcMuffins. Fabulously fuelled, we added our energy to trying to distract an upset little Vincey who had decided to cut his second tooth. To help Vincey sleep we went for another walk to Ohawini Bay. Only a 25 minute sleep this time but every little bit helps. Sticking with the walking, Dave and I headed over to Oakura for an Ice Cream reminding ourselves what a killer that hill is!! After a yummy dinner of snags we got a visit from Laura, Jono and Vince. the measuring spoons kept Vincey happy for a bit but trying to bit Nana's chin with his new tooth, every time she tried to shower him with kisses kept Vincey VERY happy.
Then it was time for the three 'B's - bikkies, Baileys and bed.
SUNDAY 29 DECEMBER
After Jono and Nick's three fish success trip yesterday we decided to take the Little Beauty out for a fish using soft bait only. So up early-ish, coffee and off we went. One of the modifications we had decided we needed was a set of front wheels on the little boat just so it made it easier if we were camped ages away from the sea. I am rapt to report that the new front wheels worked a treat.
We were expecting a 10 knot variable wint but it was a sou'easterly gusting to 20 knots. We both go a few bites and I got one snapper on board but it was not quite legal so back it went even if it was the first fish I had caught on soft baits. The Astons had gone to Whangarei while we fished so we read a bit until they returned and got round to their tent in time to see Vincey in his paddling pool.
Feeling a bit sluggish we got the bikes down and cycled around to Owahini Beach.
Exercise done we caught up with some reading. Cajun chicken for dinner after doing 'The Boxing Day Mega Quiz' and managing 25/50 - not bad and at least we passed!
MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2019
Another day mooching around the camp, helping with Vincey and watching him get slowly happier s his two front bottom teeth finally pop through his gums. OUr day started with us having to ask the office to hurry the people on site D11 to leave so we could shift on to it for the next 7 days. Positive for the site is it is close to Laura and Jone. Negative are it has a bad slope on it and the dump station, which is close, is a bit whiffy! The camps seems to be having a few 'plumbing issues
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