Taupo Bay

It was nice to see blue sky and sun again as we headed from the Whangaroa Golf Course to Taupo Bay with a sidestep back to Mangonui, the quaint little historic village on the seaside at the harbour entrance, for some groceries and a meander around the historic walkway. A pretty little place which has lots of vistors passing through and seemingly particularly enjoying the fresh fish at the Mangonui Fish Shop by the wharf.

We then drove out to Hihi another pretty little popular holiday place with a mixture of baches and permanent homes and a camp ground nestled between 2 bays. Taupo Bay was our next destination - one we had been looking forward to as we were catching up with our friends Pete and Sue, from Tauranga, who have a family bach there right on the beach of the very beautiful deep bay where the surf rolls in and there is good fishing.

You did what Pete?!

We arrived mid-afternoon and Pete and Sue were already there with the kayaks waiting on the seaside front lawn and the boat out the back. The day was still glorious and the sea was flat and calm just like an infinty pool which we were told was unusual. We had a wander along the beach with them and around some of the streets, it being quite quiet at this time of the year with there not being a very big percentage of permanent residents. Sue and Pete's friends from Kerikeri, Larry and Sue, who also have a lovely holiday house at Taupo Bay joined us for dinner and more than a few laughs but we weren't too late retiring to bed so we could be up early the next day.The forecast for Saturday was good so we were looking forward to fishing and using the kayaks.

Life's a bach!

But, come morning, alas!!! The wind was up, the sea rough, the overhead sky a mixture of grey and black and the rain a steady downpour! The bad weather had arrived a day early! Fishing and kayaking was out so instead P&S took us for a drive to see some of the scenery we had missed which was great as we now have an even better picture of the area. We were interested to see the large subdivided area in the hills on the way to Mangonui with the massive olive plantings around as well as the Butterfish Estate with its new houses and vineyard - a private road I believe beyond the attractive entry way but no bother to Pete!
After a quick visit to the old sawmilling area of Totara North on the harbour we headed for Mahinepua where we were hoping to do the 2 hour return walk out to the point with its wonderful vistas if the rain had subsided by then. But no, it seemed a better option to stay warm and dry in the car and forego what would have been a foggy view!

Once back at the bach it was an afternoon of reading and games - Sue now knows how to play Sequence and Pete has brushed up on his sleeping skills. And it was a yummy roast lamb dinner!