Summer Holidays.

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Hi, I seem to have been away for ages but am home now settling into another year, planning what is to come and hoping that the weather stays good for another couple of months. We had a few days in Auckland, Di working, then joined Amy, Jeremy and the girls for a fantastic holiday in Whitianga were we stayed in a wonderful apartment, across the road from the beach, and with it's own pool. It also gave us the chance to catch up with Sarah and Brad and their kids, as they were staying at Matarangi, just a little north of where we were. The kids had a ball with each other, the weather was reasonable, and the beaches are absolutely magic. It has been probably 12 years since we were last there and every time I go back I wonder why we don't spend more time in that area. There are just so many fantastic beaches and so much great scenery. You can always find a beach that is sheltered from the wind of the day, and there is just so many that you are never crowded. Except Hotwater Beach at low tide when heaps of people decend on it to dig in the sand and make their own personal hot pool. The hot water comes up out of the sand and every one just sits around in these thermal waters and relaxes. Fantastic spot. After leaving Whitianga we went down to Taupo for a few days then across to Hastings. Di came home to return to work and I stayed up there to look after Holly during the last week of school holidays. Unfortunately Di and I picked up a nasty flu and she spent the week at home while I spent the week with Holly being miserable. So I didn't even get a chance to get out fishing in the afternoons. So now I have returned home and the Wellington weather over the past weekend has been the pits. Rotten!! Cold southerly and rain. Hardly moved out of the house. Just hope that summer has not ended. Not much happening over the next few weeks but do hope to get out onto some rivers for a bit of fishing. Will catch up Pip/Rod

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Photos

Hotwater Beach
Amazing place and such a crowd digging their own pools for thermal water.

Happy Family.
Amy, Jeremy and the kids soak up the sun and the thermal waters.

Hot water beach.
A great day at a great beach.

Apartment Pool.
Holly takes off into the water.

Warming up.
The pool water was a bit cold so it was good to get into the spa and warm up.

Waiting for the Ferry.
A Ferry takes you across the inlet to access some of the beaches on that side. We went to Front beach.

Front Beach.
Another magic spot.

Just Idylic
What a loverly spot to sit and dream.

Rock Climbing.
Jeremy and Holly do a bit of exploring.

Just a big Kid.
Jeremy can't help himself. It's all to inviting.

Holly has a go.
So nice.

Amy enjoys a swing.
A great beach swing.

Di and I.
Another great beach. Otama Bay and the beach go's for miles.

Dinner Time.
Dinner and drinks at Kuaotunu Beach with Brad, Sarah and the kids.

And the Band played on.
The kids watch the band play.

Boat to Cathhedral Cove.
All aboard.

Cathedral Cove.
This has to be one of my favorite spots.

And Pop's looks on.
The kids just loving the water.

Cathedral Cove.
The Cave that creates the Cathedral and separates the 2 beaches. This is certainly a wonderful place. Jeremy and Amy with Holly and Ella.

Lonely Bay.
A small secluded bay that you walk to. So nice.

Dessert time.
Holly, Ella, Honor and Taj enjoy ice-cream

Relaxing.
Jeremy and I sit with a beer and look across the bay. Magic.