Batley

During the week I went to a funeral at a marae down on the Kaipara Harbour.  My friends final resting place looks down over the water.  It's a long time since I've lived in this area and on my way home I took a quick detour to see if I could find the place on the road which allows a good harbour view.  I should have paid more attention to exactly where I was but it wasn't far from the marae which is marked on this map.  Took me forever to figure out how to include the map, even following instructions.  I wanted to include it because the Kaipara is such a big harbour.  By area, it's one of the largest harbours in the world.

As you can see, the tide was out.

Rest in peace, Mihi.

A slow trip

On my way to join my exercise class for lunch at a small cafe beside Ruakaka Surf Beach (we had already done our exercise) I stopped by a small tidal estuary.  It's not usually much to look at but this day at low, low tide I thought it looked quite lovely. I'll have to go back another day when the tide is in by just a little bit more. 

After lunch I headed south to Auckland and was in the mood for appreciating life and meandering.  I explorer a few side roads which lead towards the Kaipara Harbour.  Now I know which roads offer the best view I can do so again on a clearer day.

 

Sunday was one of those beautiful clear days we get in March.  The heat has gone out of the sun but it's still shining strongly.  On my way to the Fish Fry at Waipu Cove I called in to the Waipu River mouth down Hamon Road, always a favourite spot.

The tide was rushing in.

It was high tide at Waipu Cover but still plenty of room on the beach.

Heading home I turned off down Johnston Point Road to have a look at the Waipu River Estuary, a refuge which is the nesting area for New Zealand dotterel, variable oyster catcher and New Zealand fairy tern. The birds were all elsewhere.