February. More summer on New Zealand's North Island.

Picnic at the Beach

We decide it was high time that we had dinner at the beach so we ordered pizza, grabbed a couple of cold ones, and  watched the sun set. Al & Sylvia joined us.

Roy is obviously getting a response to something he said, but really, everyone loves the photographer.

You can just make out the city skyline with the lights in the background. 

Hiking in the Waitakere's

With both the windsurfer and Roy's bike out of action (oh my god, no toys!) we decided to go hiking in the Waitakere's.

Our first stop was a short hike in to see a big Kauri Tree in the Waitakere Ranges. These were regularly logged in the past for sailing masts amongst other things. They are now a protected tree and are making great efforts to replant them throughout New Zealand.

Fairy Falls

  • Our next hike was into Fairy Falls. The trails are really well maintained. The wet sections that are pretty greasy and need careful navigating through.  It was rated as a three hour loop but we had a good pace happening and did it in about half the time. We hadn't been doing much hiking so it was a good opportunity to work some lost muscles.

  • I'm not sure what type of tree Roy is standing beside. It seemed taller and straighter than the Kauri tree though. Darn fat for it's height.

  • I love the undergrowth in the forests here. Everything is growing in harmony and dead decaying trees become the breeding grounds for new ferns, moss, and lichens.

  • Here we see Fairy falls from the top and the bottom. The trail on the way in is great but nearly impenetrable if you step off the track.

Fairy Falls

 

Mercer Loop
Our next stop was a hike between Piha and Karekare. We've been to both beaches before and have spent time playing in the surf. This was our third hike of the day which took us through a forest and along the high cliffs over looking both the beaches. It was very hot and humid so after all the hiking we had a swim at Piha. Love playing in the surf.

 

....

  • To the left Roy is looking north towards Piha Beach.

 

  • To the right is Karekare beach with the huge sand bar out front.

Big Al's
 Fishing Expeditions

Here's Captain Al picking up his latest fare for an evening of fishing out at the mouth of the Waitemata Harbour.

Captain Al reels in his first fish as 1st Mate Sylvia prepares the net to bring it in. 

Roy showing off his first catch of the night. Snapper for dinner. Yummmmm.

Ewww, do I have to touch it?

A helping hand brings out a smile

The Boys telling fish stories.
You know the one:
"It was THIS big, no lies!"

Caught in the act. Sylvia always claims she doesn't fish but what's that in her hand?

Al by far caught the most fish and I'm sure the biggest as well. It was a great night.

Windsurfing Waitemata

Here, Roy is sailing across a narrow part of the Waitemata Harbour. Only a few miles upstream is where the inlet ends at Riverhead.

The wind was really gusting through the narrows. The photographer's boat was cruising alongside at the same speed: 30 knots. That's about 50 klicks!

"That was so cool. I've never sailed THAT fast before."

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