The Far North

Journeyed to Paihia to visit with friends and family.

My daughter was staying in Paihia with family, plus we have very dear friends living in Whangarei, so combined they were a great excuse to take the camera and visit. Whilst we were in the area we visited the Treaty House and enjoyed the hospitality of their facilities

The weather was extremely hot and reminded me of the last time I was in the area when the temperatures were also uncomfortable.

Whaka  at Waitangi

Whangarei Falls

Haruru Falls

Haruru Falls

Rainbow Falls

Did a lot of driving and visited many  waterfalls. Now back home processing the result..

Awhitu

Family of the friends that we visited with

Polly

Stella

Stella

Awhitu is a Surf Beach on the West Coast of New Zealand.  It is a fascinating place and a dangerous beach.

Every time I visit I see that more of the Coastline has eroded

Interesting shape in a small pond

Signals Army Reunion - Palmerston North

Over the past few days Ross and I have been tripping around part of the North Island. The impetus of the journey was the Reunion of the RNZ Signals. We drove to Palmerston North where we met up with friends who now live in Nelson and made the aquaintance of their delightful grandsons and enjoyed their hospitality.





Having a peek

Nooo  not for me

Definitely not !

Meeting up with old friends





Sarah, Samuel and Thomas

Sarah and Thomas

Thomas

                                                                              Samuel

                                                                              

                                                                 Sarah and Thomas

Napier Marine Parade

The Marine Parade is an interesting place. They have a massive Skateboarding Park, lots of interesting sights, a wonderful fountain which unfortunately was "closed for cleaning". 

One could almost spend a day just in this area.

From there we drove through to Napier where I met up with a second cousin for the first time. She had been adopted at birth and had only just gotten to know her "Birth" family.

Then on through Taupo to Rotorua where I met up with a fellow photographer.We visited briefly then decided to head for home.

Rotorua holds an attraction for me, for that is where I was born.

Arts on Parade

In 1887, Robert Lamb, an early Napier architect and engineer from Darlington, England designed a plan for much of the Marine Parade. Although few of his houses remain, this block of houses has been preserved in the spirit of "Napier - the Art Deco City"



Te Apiti Wind Farm - Palmerston North

• There are 55 Turbines here at Apiti
• Each Tower is 70 metres tall
• Each Turbine's capacity is 1.65 MW
• The site covers 1150 hectares
• Te Apiti is Meridian Energy's first New Zealand wind farm



Overland Gannet Safari

Our next stop was the Overland Gannet Safari. We were able to get within 3 feet of the Gannets. Needles to say I didnt get many photos, I gues I wasnt quite quick enough