Kaitaia & Ahipara

After bacon and eggs for breakfast on Sunday Sue and Pete set off back to Tauranga with time up their sleeves for stopping to see family in Kerikeri. The sun was shining again and Len and I had a nice walk down the beach at Taupo Bay and through the settlement before heading to Whangaroa golf course which we had previously played on the Friday. We thought we might have another round but by the time we got there the ominous black clouds overhead were already unleashing their raindrops and so after a coffee we retraced our steps to head north again stopping at Mangonui where Len joined 2-3 others for a spot of fishing off the wharf which we had been told would be as good as anywhere. However there was nary a bite so I wandered down to the renowned fresh fish shop on the harbours edge for some delicious blue cod and chips, not being sure whether it was a late lunch or an early dinner but entertained as I waited for them to be cooked by the fearless shag (cormorant) which kept coming into the shop to see if his order was ready!

L,T,P&S say goodbye to Taupo Bay

By the time we got to Coopers Beach where we expected to harvest some tuatua for our supper the tide wasn't really low enough but we ventured out with our bucket as far as we could with our shorts on, me being especially pleased when I pulled up 3 almost immediately. However that was it, despite getting wet to the waist with the warm low-rolling surf! I almost wished I had had a proper swim instead. So after some time spent doing the tuatua twist there was no alternative other than returning the little catch to the sea and continuing on our way to Kaitaia.

Kaitaia, with a population of just over 5,000 is the northernmost town in NZ, being on the west coast just 14 km from the rugged little beach settlement of Ahipara which is at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach. We stayed 2 nights there in the RSA carpark, the first night going in for a beer and chatting to some of the visiting Maori from Rotorua who were there, with their club, for a Country and Western gig at the RSA. A storm was coming in and the bus was pretty shaken by the wind through the night, ours being the only vehicle parked there. However on Monday night we had the company of 4 other motorhomes.

On Monday itself it was still blowing a bit but the sun was shining and we had a round of golf out at Ahipara, the first nine holes for me producing a score I never want to remember but the second nine being much better. We have played on it before, about 6 years ago, and enjoy the course with its good views out to the rolling surf which has one of the best left-hand surf breaks in the world and is a pretty popular place for surfers to come. I found that the host of the bunkers on the course are deep and take a bit of getting out of. Len didn't go into any so his score, though not great, was steadier than mine!

After golf we had a drive along the Foreshore Road which heads towards Shipwreck Bay but turned around once the road became narrow and unsealed. Back in Kaitaia on Tuesday morning we both had haircuts at Pixies (only $25 for the 2 of us and I think they look OK!?) and then went to the Visitor Centre which must have one of the grandest foyers in any town. It is the entry point for the I-site, library, cafe and museum and is beautiful with the seabirds in the sky and wonderful poles carved by Maori craftsmen.