The Summer highlights package begins...

It would be completely reasonable for all of you to have assumed that this blog had come to an end due to the lack of updates over the last few months. I hope to remedy this by doing several all at once. This will give you an opportunity to see what we have been up to. Basically, these few postings will be a highlights package of our summer.

Kitekite Falls

We will begin with our New Years eve excursion to Kitekite falls (Clearly there was Christmas and the accompanying madness prior to this, but I can only write so much).
We have taken the kids once before, and this time we were joined by Craig and Sandra (and kids), Jonathan and Lui, Mum and Dad Palmer and Mum and Dad Rickard.
After a 30 minute bush walk from Glen Esk Road near Piha beach, we arrived, all (well, some of us) ready for a refreshing dip in the pool at the base of the waterfall.

There were a few brave souls amongst us, but alas, most refused the offer of a cooling dip.


Just look at Kyla, Sandra and me, luxuriating in the fresh clean water. I don't know why the others refused to join us..... in fact a number of them didn't even venture so close as to get their feet wet! Jonathan on the other hand, could be accused of going overboard, staying in for so long that even half an hour later he still had purple blotches all over his arms. Not sure that is supposed to happen.

Following the swim and return walk, we relaxed (warmed up) in the sunshine, had a picnic lunch, followed by a stop for coffee at the Piha Cafe, where we marvelled at the fact that there had been a huge fuss about whether the owners were allowed to build a cafe there or not. Basically from the outside it looks like a bach, and in fact, does inside too, with mismatched chairs and tables, several different types of light fittings, and cupboards made from old fruit packing boxes. The coffee was really good too. We recommend stopping there if you happen to be in the area.

Rangitoto Island

It is not possible to live in Auckland without knowing where Rangitoto is, and so on Thursday 5th January, we set out to scale the heights of this distinctive landmark. A 25 minute ferry ride takes you to the base of the island, and then it is all up to you. Well, there is actually a train that can take you up to the summit, but really, that is cheating!

The online guides say that it is a 1 hour easy walk to the summit, and that was about right for us. A few stops along the way so that the kids could marvel at the volcanic rocks (lava rocks as they liked to say), and a few stops to take shelter from the sun and have a drink, and we arrived.


There is an old gun bunker/building on the summit, and the top of this is higher than the ground, so obviously it was the place to be. Once the summit had been conquered, it was time to head partway down to the shady clearing where Dad R had been guarding our belongings. Here was obviously the best place for a picnic as there were several other groups enjoying the cool provided by the surrounding trees.

Trees, however, are not just for shading people, as this monkey proves.

Braden loves to climb trees, and clearly has no concept of what will happen if he falls out of one. As you can see, he also does not need side branches to climb a tree provided the trunk of the tree is not too thick.

After lunch, it was time to head down, with a side trip to see the lava caves. The kids had a great time in these, using their new head torches to navigate their way through, and even leading some other kids through (who did all return safely).

Lauren managed to find a ride down for the last part of the descent, on the "Daryl-mobile". This is steered by the ears, much as you would steer a bike.

Much fun was had by all.