Summer Boating in Auckland

I've taken hundreds of photos with my iPhone 7 Plus
so for Five on Friday this week I thought I would give you a taste
of Summer Downunder 2017.

1. Bean Rock Lighthouse in the harbour approaching Auckland.
(do you recognise it H from your visit to our shores in December?)
I so, so wish I had known you were coming......

2. Yachts of sizes and class enjoying the light breeze.

Our niece Amber and Tony shucking scallops!
Thank you Tony for diving - you're a great hunter and collector!

Their youngest shipmate 'Miss Pippy' who loves being out on the boat.

This is the Cruise ship season here, from November to April.

I love going down quayside to see what ships are in port.
This one is 'Ovation of the Seas' of the Royal Caribbean Line.
Auckland really comes alive when the ships are here and
the tourists add to the holiday atmosphere while visiting our shores.


I'm joining Amy for Five on Friday
Thank you Amy for hosting

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Five on Friday - Summer Down Under

1
A bowl of Catmint and Lobelia

enjoyed by both Mr and Mrs Goosey Gander and

the visiting neighbourhood pussycats!

I've observed several cats eating both the tips of leaves

and flowers - hence the alternative name of Catnip!

2
Chimes in one of the gardens I visited last year.

This country garden was filled with bird houses and feeders

all beautifully crafted by the owners.

3
The Light Between Oceans is the first book I've read this year

and I loved it!

I know the film is already out but if you haven't seen it yet

do try and read the book first.

 It is set on an island off the south west coast of Western Australia.

4
Boats moored at the new marina in Tairua, Coromandel Peninsula.

Photo courtesy of New Zealand Herald

5
This photo was in our newspaper last week.
I couldn't resist showing my friends in the northern hemisphere!

It was taken at a ski field at Cardrona in the South Island

where there was a freak snowfall in Summer!!!

Usually at this time of year the mountain

is a haven for day trippers - mountain bikers and walkers
clad in light tee shirts and shorts!

I'm joining Amy for

Five on Friday

(sorry I'm late Amy)

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Five on Friday - Boats

My post today is all about boats

I may have told you before that

Auckland is known as

The City of Sails.

Auckland is surrounded by water so many children

learn to sail at a very young age.

Westhaven marina is a favourite haunt for us.

Both Reston and I belong to the RNZYS

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

Today we had a lunch at a cafe called 'The Sitting Duck'

as the Squadron restaurants etcet don't open again until next week.

Afterwards we drove around the harbour looking at boats!

It was fascinating watching the crane lifting large crates

on to the top deck of this luxury super yacht.

She is named Vibrant Curiosity and as she was flying the

Union Jack she must be from the UK.

We imagine she is here for a refit.

The exchange rate makes it worthwhile for many

overseas boats to come to Auckland to have work done.

Our local shipyards build many new boats too

for overseas owners.

Our nephew is a boat builder who works on these new builds.

Near the New Zealand Maritime Museum

are several heritage boats.

This yacht is the Aramoana built in 1938 by Gordon Pollard

a cousin of my father-in-law Russ Pollard.

They were great mates and sailed together on her for many years.

Notice there are no staunchons or handrails,

one needed to be sure footed moving about when under full sail.

Those were the days!

The Menai is a heritage launch which we owned in the 1970s.

It was the perfect boat for when our children were young.

It always brings back many happy memories!

I'm linking this post  to Amy's Five on Friday

Thank you Amy for hosting - it's been a while since I've joined in!

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Thank you for visiting and especially my friends
who have left me a comment!

It's lovely to be in touch again!

Views of Auckland Waterfront

With the lovely weather over Easter
we visited the waterfront and viaduct harbour.
There were a few clouds about
but with the temperature at 28°C
we had an enjoyable walk.

It's now early Autumn and in a month or two
the days will start to draw in.
This weekend on Sunday 3rd April
Daylight Saving finishes.......
I'm thankful for such a magnificent summer
it has truly been one out of the box!

Wishing everyone, everywhere
your best summer ever too!

I'm joining Gemma for Ruby Tuesday Too
&
Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy and Jennifer for 
Our World Tuesday
Thank you all for hosting.

Thank you for visiting over Easter

Take care and
be kind to one another

à bientôt



Shane

All at Sea

This is Bean Rock lighthouse 
which has been guiding ships

into Auckland harbour since 1871!

It sits on top of a crop of rocks visible at low tide.

My husband sorting rigging on board 

on a magnificent summer's day

in the Bay of Islands.

Johnathan Livingston Seagull and friends.

I'm joining Sally for Blue Monday

Thank you for visiting and have a happy week
only eight more days and it will be March!

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Messing about in boats

Last Saturday was Auckland Anniversary day
a holiday celebrating my beautiful city on the water.

Each year there is a yachting regatta on the harbour
The first regatta was held in 1842
so this year was the 174th
Anniversary Day Regatta.

Children learn to swim at a very early age in New Zealand
and it's wonderful to see the young ones
join the regatta in their little sailing dinghies.

There's even a fun race for
 the hard working tugboats

A Royal New Zealand Naval frigate
was one of the mark boats for the racing yachts.

The sun was shining 
and there was a reasonable breeze
making for great sailing conditions
just what Ratty and Mole would love!

Take care and
be kind to one another

enjoy whatever you do today

à bientôt



Shane

The Winter-less North

We've had four wonderful days in

the Bay of Islands

also known as the "winter-less north" of

New Zealand.

The days were warm and still

and the evenings quite cool.

As you can see roses are still in bloom

but so are the camellias

and the sweetly fragrant earlicheer daffodil!

The poor flowers aren't sure if it is

winter, spring or summer!

I've shown you lots of images of Russell before.

Top right of this mosaic is the Soren Larsen

a brigantine tallship used as a sail training ship,

brave young people atop the mast

learning the finer points of sailing.

I'm joining Mary for Mosaic Monday

  

Wishing you all a happy new week

I'm feel re-energised and ready

for another three days at work!

Take care and

be kind to one another

  Merci à bientôt

Shane x

Gathering the moments - APRIL 2014

This year is moving far too fast for me!

I've reached that stage in life
where I'm quite happy for time to stand still at times
so I can capture and fully enjoy the
very special moments
that make up the rhythm of life.
 I want to commit these moments to memory forever
so in years to come I can look back and recall
I remember when..... 

It was a month of of seasonal happenings.
We had Easter - our most important feast
in the Church's year
celebrating the Resurrection of
Christ our Saviour.

Then on 25th April - Anzac Day

commemorating the soldiers of the

Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

who fought in WW1 and WW2

side by side

in far away lands

for God, King and Country.

I'm linking to Cheryl of Thinking About Home

for her monthly meme

Gathering the Moments

Wishing you all a very happy month of May.

Take care and

be kind to one another

  Merci à bientôt

Shane x

'Seamist'

We bought this old classic launch last year

and my husband 'The Yachtie'  is restoring it...

a labour of love!

The interior has been ripped out and he is

more or less starting from scratch!

We know the hull has 'good bones'

so she was worth saving.

She will be re-launched pre Christmas 2014

in time for Summer cruising!