Camera assistant

My lovely Camera Assistant (wife) .

Wharf at Magazine Bay

Part of an epic coastal drive between Maraetai and Miranda which includes a number of regional parks and views across the Firth of Thames.

Shell beds in the Firth of Thames - this coast seems very popular with Motor Home users. 

Wharf at Magazine Bay - just along from Maraetai 

Autumn sunset at Muriwai and the lonely surfer

Naked ladies in Dairy Flat

Autumn must be approaching.

Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo ( wiki/Taupo_Volcano ) is a very large  fresh water lake in the centre ( Google Map  ) of the North Island.

Foggy morning 

Goodbye South

There are only two ways to get from the North to the South Island and that is by air, done that hundreds of times, and by sea.

Years ago there was a vehicle ferry that went from Wellington to Christchurch but now the sea link (for vehicle transport) is just Picton (in the south) to Wellington (in the north).

At its narrowest point the gap between the two islands is not especially wide but the ferry journey is over 100km (according to Mr Google). Because of the geography the winds between the two islands can be fearsome with very uncomfortable ferry crossings . Fortunately on all five of my crossings the weather gods have been smiling on me.

The exit from Queen Charlotte Sound, a sharp turn for the ferry and requiring considerable skill in the turbulent water. 

Looking back towards Picton.

One of New Zealands all-time best drives - Kaikoura

One of New Zealand best road trips can be had along the coast at Kaikoura, not least for the changes post the 2016 earthquake (Wikipedia 2016_Kaikoura_earthquake) and the amazing road and rail reconstruction.

Looking back towards Kaikoura from the north - amazing sea colours not done justice here 

Tilted formations 

Seals at southern end of Kaikoura - about a 20-30min walk. We made the mistake of doing it on one of the hottest days recorded in the area - 35 degrees C.

The walk to the seals 

Crayfish done the "proper" way and a whitebait fritter sandwich - roadside grill southern end of Kaikoura , not cheap but better than that frozen  stuff we get in Auckland - and the location - right on the beach !!!!

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.