http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Oceania , New Zealand , North Island , Whangarei en-us Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:29:30 BST Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:29:30 BST We had some work done on our metalled road It is about 200 metres from the public road to our housebarn and some of it needed resurfacing . We also wanted a turning area for the trucks which come to collect stock. animals. We graded the area with our tractor and then got a contractor to finish off the job. He brought a bobcat and a roller. It took 14 cubic metres of blue metal from the Maun http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-333117.html This has been a great year for DUCKS All the rain has been well appreciated and we have had several clutches or should that be flocks ... of ducklings . One family of 12 all managed to survive withou succumbing to the hawks and two other hatchings kept their numbers to five or six. The photo's just show the largest family who are now almost as large as their Mother. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-333112.html What a year this has been Rain rain and then more rain. The vegetable garden became just like a badly maintained lawn. It looked an impossible task but with the aid of the trusty rotary hoe and lots of hard work and some inventive language things gradually returned to some normality. The rotary hoe has a mind of its own preferring to go in straight lines or stay still and dig deep holes fr http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-333094.html The ducklings are growing The mother duck and her family are getting more used to George now so he can get closer. This is achieved by the skilful use of quacking noises luckily noone is nearby to have a laugh So far the hawks have not taken any of the ducklings keep fingers crossed The pond has stopped overflowing first time for weeks although the ground is still saturated. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-323233.html today we went to town and visited many nurseries. in the end at maunu we bought 4 plants.yesterday we fetched a trailerload of compost. the garden is much better now. even have a few tulips.had lunch at the library. yam yam. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-322252.html The ducklings are growing and so far they have escaped the attentions of the hawks. The mother duck is VERY protective so maybe the hawks feel intimidated. The pond has been invaded by another breeding pair of ducks and the mother duck makes sure the new arrivals are kept right away from her territory and her babies She was seen vigorously attacking the new drake until he decided apparentl http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-322207.html Today we left Tauranga at about 915 and had a smooth journey home where we put up the photo of clever son who graduated last year check out the photo Joseph Dodd BMS http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-321171.html THE DUCKLINGS ARE HERE WE were quite surprised to see that the first ducklings have hatched on our pond now let's hope the hawks do not take one per day for their breakfast http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-319502.html well archgola has arrived after 6 weeks instead of 3 weeks but we are VERY pleased with the endproduct. the two man worked very hard and the workmanship is top class.we think it puts a 100 thousand dollars on the house. the poor man had to work in pouring rain and gusts of wind. amy visited us today and we had lunch and talked and talked. she is doing fine. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-319238.html Today Saturday the 30 Aug Patrick Ashlee and Jennifer went back to Dunedin to get on with their studies it was lovely having them home but Jennifer says at least its not raining in Dunedin the sun was shining into her room and making it nice and warm whereas here it was pouring with rain and we had to light the fire http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-317808.html Today Patrick Paul and Jennifer spent the morning getting the bonfire ready for tonight Robyn arrived home weary from a long day at work to find dinner all ready to be cooked and the bonfire readyWe had the most delicious Nachos for dinner courtesy of Jennifer Paul and the shopping from Patrick they were the best everLeigh opened his father's day presents from Jennifer and Patrick early http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-317805.html Today we met for lunch at our local cafe Revive they did not have nachos for all of us so Paul scored lucky and the rest of us made do with helping ourselves to a taster from his plate http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-317801.html Today was a day of great excitement Ashlee Patrick's partner had her 21st Birthday Celebration a couple of weeks early as her very nice mum organised this for her while she is home from Dunedin for the holiday. Here are a few photos not many as I felt too conspicuous taking photos of strangers http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-315518.html Today Ben Leigh and I went to the airport to see the welcome arrival of Jennifer Ashlee and Patrick great excitement We thought they were going to miss their connecting flight in Auckland but..........because there were 6 people booked for that flight they waited for another few minutes and after a quick dash through the airport they made itWe had a nice dinner and a birthday present ce http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-315233.html Last weekend we went to Reed Memorial Park to see the effects of the storm on the river. Here are some photos of what we saw. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-313031.html On Friday we left for Paihia to stay at the Marlin Court Motel for 2 nights FREE as John and Maureen invited us to stay for the Jazz Festival.The weather was lovely. We walked to Waitangi etc etc. Lots of Jazz on Fridayand Saturday morninglots of Jazzbands in the centre of town. Some very good Bands. I painted a Papaver painting on canvas for Maureen. It was a lovely weekend. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-310636.html Another stormy day forecast Decision made to drive to the Lookout at Onerahi and risk a quick walk along Beach Road started wet but dried up enough to wallk around for half an hour then back to the car and off for morning tea at the information centre againBack home for late lunch then quick walk over the road for Sally and I while Leigh and Ian watched the cricket highlights.Visit from Beb a http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-307689.html This morning Sally Ian Leigh and I went to watch Anita play netball she netted two goals they won 103 against their opposition Well done Anita and great support shown by Jason tooThen we went to the Zonta Book Fair books were between 1 and 3 each we spent 8 and Ian spent 3 last of the big spendersThen we met George and Beb for morning tea at the information centre what a http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-307338.html Today we met at the Library and after leaving George and Leigh to browse the magazine selection Beb and I went for a look at the Quilt Show in Forum North then up the hill for a very quick walk still windy and raining so very quick then back to the Library for morning tea http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-304922.html Last night and today we had a once in a decade storm We nearly got blown away in fact George went outside at the height of the storm and almost got blown away. He had to give up and creep back into shelter pf the house. Later it abated a little and we went to see Robyn and Leigh. We drove the 4wheel wagon lucky we did as the flood waters were well over the road in one place. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-304606.html Today a very low pressure was forecast with very stormy weather high winds and lots of rain.......and boy were they right first time ventured out when the wind dropped in the late afternoon look at the photos of the conditions just over the other side of the main road....... http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-304597.html On Saturday Leigh and I went to the markets and then off to the cafe inside Mitre 10 for a coffee with Mum and Dad.Then on Sunday Leigh and I went to the Library for morning tea after we had a walk around the avenues what a nice way to spend a wet day http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-302113.html we had a lovely day out going up north.first stopped at the hundertwasser toilet and took some photo s.only of the building not the customersthen to KeriKeri to visit Elsa. she is 93 and is doing very well on her own. she gets a lot ofcallers to see if she is oke. we had morning tea with passionfruit cakes.of to Paihia. we walked all around and bought a packet of lovely hot chips. jammy.more wal http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-299475.html On day this week we had a hard FROST Was it Monday or Tuesday Anyway I have just noticed the foto's I took to prove that there was indeed a frost in the winterless North http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-298959.html Today is Jakob's birthday and he is 8 years old He has been to climb the rock wall and abseil down the other side with 8 of his friends yesterday and had pizza for lunch too Then he went to see Oma and Grandad in the afternoon. Today they went out for breakfast at Mcdonalds and to Caffiene for the grown ups and this afternoon off to see the other grandparents http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-298947.html Well today both Leigh and I were not feeling 100 I had the end of a cold and cough and Leigh just starting and the weather was very iffy so set off market shopping then New World and home again. Couple of photos just testing Jennifer's camera as mine has gone back to be fixed thanks Jen http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-298642.html today we went to fetch hay from the a local family project and george took some photo s of the fantastic things they are doing. self composting and growing trees for forestry etc.beb visited the neighbours they bought alpacas. two are having creas babies.it is a hobby for amanda and richard. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-297369.html last night we had three visitors. it was lovely seeing mike and amy so happy.their baby is due in early november so quite a while to go yet.she is promoted to head nurse now. she loves the work and will doparttime when the baby is born. well after 3 months.she already has booked it in at a lovely nursery.hope you enjoy seeing the photo s. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-295518.html This bird crashed into our window and was found unconscious. I was able to take a quick photo' before it recovered with the help of my gentle foot and flew away. We wonder what bird it is. Can anyone identify it How about you Carrie there were very bright yellow and black bands on the wings these cannot be seen on the photo' as I was too late it had recovered somewhat and withdrawn i http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-292958.html We went to see a production of Romeo and Juliet by Bogwood Productions at the theatre in Forum North last night. It was fast moving and we could not keep our eyes off the stage The coffee was good too http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Whangarei/blog-292527.html