Coromandel Sojourn, sun, surf and bird life.

On Thursday we travelled south east to Tairua a small coastal village
on the Coromandel Peninsula for a few days relaxation 
staying with friends at their iconic Kiwi bach (you can google bach)!

Tairua sits on an isthmus with
a tidal estuary on one side
and a typical east coast ocean beach on the other.
A favourite for the young surfies.

Each evening we enjoyed drinks and nibbles on the deck
overlooking the estuary.
It's ever changing movement from the rise and fall of the tide
made for great photo opportunities for Moi!

The Estuary

This time we had a special visitor join us each evening.
A poor little seagull with a broken leg whom our friends have befriended.
In the first photo you may be able to see how her right leg is hanging loose.
She has come to trust Don and he saves
fresh morsels of scallops and fish for her each day!
I nicknamed her Gammy.

The Ocean Beach

The New Zealand Dotterels (Plover family) make their nests in the sand dunes

on our northern beaches.
They are well camouflaged and blend into their surroundings
but still vulnerable to dogs if they are not on a leash.

Being a bird lover I feel dogs should be banned from these beaches
during the breeding season.

I'm joining Maggie for Mosaic Monday
and Eileen for Saturday Critters
and Jeanne for Blue Monday

However I'm so sorry to see because of the internet issues in her area
Jeanne feels unable to continue hosting Blue Monday.
I'm hopeful and keeping my fingers crossed that someone will take up the baton!

Thank you ladies for hosting!

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Lake Taupo, playground of New Zealand

In the middle of the North Island of New Zealand is
Lake Taupo
our largest lake of 238sq miles.
With miles of beach front it is a great holiday destination
in Summer.

These photos were taken in November
and I wrote this post back then but forgot about it!
Most photos were taken in the late afternoon
so I apologise as they are a little dark
(adds to the atmosphere - that's my story)!

Lake Taupo attracts many fly fishermen and women
both local and from overseas.
The lake is stocked with trout, both rainbow and brown.

These photos are of Huka Lodge a luxury lodge
where those looking for a special experience will stay.
It has beautiful rooms most of which look out on to
the Waikato river.
 The restaurant offers fine dining
and the current executive chef has worked in
one, two and three Michelin star restaurants! 

There have been a plethora of famous guests
but none more so than:

Image courtesy of Google

HM Queen Elizabeth; The Queen Mother.
Did you know she was a keen and
accomplished at fly fishing!

Lake Taupo is a great location for a bach
(that's what Kiwi's call a holiday home)!
It's all about life on the water, fishing and having
fun with the children/grandchildren!
What more could one want out of life?

Three majestic mountains stand guard at the
southern end of the lake.
Mount Ruapehu has two world class ski grounds.

Taupo has much to offer
as an adventure playground for the young action seekers
 and also
a special environment for young families and
older almost retirees like myself!


It's Sunday so I'm joining Karen for Sunlit Sunday
Judith for Mosaic Monday
Bernideen for BTTCG
and
Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration.
Thank you ladies for hosting!

Thank you for visiting
reading my posts and leaving your lovely comments!

Take care and
be kind to one another

à bientôt



Shane