SH 12 entrance to Hokianga Harbour and Tane Mahuta

State Highway 12 is an interesting and very scenic drive - allow time for stops, there are plenty of good eating places at Opononi with great views over the harbour. On the way the Railway Cafe at Kawakawa is also "highly recommended".

There is a very good article on the Hokianga Harbour here Wikipedia

Scenic lookout at the mouth of Hokianga Harbour
near Omapere - an easy 20minute walk from the carpark 

Looking south from the route to the lookout

Inner harbour beach and amazing clear blue water

Harbour entrance 

Inner Harbour looking towards entrance 

Tane Mahuta
 Wikipedia

Near impossible to do justice to this huge tree in a photo. Estimated to be between 1250 and 2500 years old and it has a circumference of almost 16m or a diameter approaching 5m. (2002 measurements ) 

North Head fortifications - Monochromes part 2

North Head fortifications in monochrome Part 1

Jim Ertel - ten years past

Ten years ago at the end of December my school friend Jim (David James) Ertel and general partner in "crime" passed away aged just 53. Each year since I have been posting something here to remember the loss of my photo buddy. This year my mother (90) died just before Christmas a double whammy as Jim was the "second son" in our family.

Montage of images from our five week tour of Alaska and (western)  Canada back in 2005

Jim with Mum and Dad on the occasion of mums 80th - he flew over from Brisbane as a surprise.

Birkenhead Wharf

From the Summit Road Canterbury Port Hills

Taken from the less popular southern end of the Summit Road

Christchurch Art Gallery