Day 41, Level 1: Sandspit, Beehive Island, Boating and Leigh Sawmill
I wonder if we'll be left in Level 1 forever more - or will there come a time where levels are irrelevant and we can leap into "normal" again - if that's even such a thing. We'll find out in due course ...
Meanwhile, we trundle along under Level 1 protocols and life proceeds pretty much as normal in this neck of the woods - at Omaha.
We're spending as much time as possible here. It honestly takes about 3 seconds to be fully settled in upon arrival! Maybe a little more if the drive north has been horrendous due to traffic. But if you time it right ... zip up, and chill.
This morning Brett and I met up with friend Phil, who has a place at nearby Scott's Landing at the end of the Mahurangi East peninsula. He'd suggested Bayside, in Snell's Beach by the water. It only opened last year but after having to close during lockdown, it hasn't opened since and is apparently closed for good. This area is a reasonably new development - Cape Cod style houses, crammed into a small area in one part. It didn't quite work for me, claustrophobia was the word that came to mind.
And then further along, terraced housing in the form of boathouses. It was like toytown gone wrong. It didn't work for me at all.
Terraced housing is great, and it can look great too. England has done it well. But sadly NZ has not got the formula for it quite right. There are terrace developments all over Auckland and they are all rather nasty. Eyesores on the landscape, or not quite right up close. Hard to explain. But they don't measure up.
So we went to Cafe Sandspit, which is where the new boat marina is, and where the Kawau ferry leaves from. Kind of a nautical theme.
The last time I went to this cafe was back when the boys were young, in the early 2000s. The place was apparently taken over by new management pre-lockdown. It's a family-run affair in a nice marine location but I was a little surprised to see the decor looked much the same as it did almost 17 years ago! Never quite at its best at low tide, as it was this morning. But still rather lovely.
Gulls were prevalent - and most of them were being flown backwards by the blustery winds. They seemed to be having fun, taking off and then being put into instant reverse, where they would fly in the same spot for some time before resisting the wind factor of making some headway!!
In the distance the tiny outline of Beehive Island (Taungamaro Island) was visible. This island is a kind of small tropical atoll, NZ style, way out in the bay, near Kawau Island. Easily accessed by boat, jetski or kayak it has a superb white sandy beach when the tide is in, and a rocky reef that is exposed at low tide. Small and picturesque, it's quite a revelation. I didn't even know about this island, but I think I must visit it at some point. Phil has a jetski. And a boat. And kayaks.
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| Beehive Island |
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| Sandspit at low tide |
When we spent our weekends at Omaha growing up through the 70s, we were always out on the water in Dad's boat - either water-skiing, fishing or just speed-boating around having a blast.
Also on Lake Taupo and other holiday locations before Mum and Dad built Omaha.
Dad loved boats and was always at his happiest when either tinkering with boat and fishing bits, and motors and whatnot, or enjoying water activities out on the blue stuff.
I have to say I did enjoy being in charge of the wheel and throttle when Dad would let me - charging across the bay on a splendid summer's day. Nothing quite like it. Especially when you're a 12yo girl! I'll always cherish those days! Oh the freedom and power, the wind in the hair, the carefree abandon!!
When Dad died suddenly (Sam was born shortly after), we sold the boat (which was called Thumpa). We lost Dad, and then we lost his boat, by necessity. We were never going to go out on it again without Dad at the helm.
In the years that followed, we did go out on the water in Jacqui's ex-husband's boat during holidays in Omaha - lots of sea-biscuiting and summery outings with the kids as they grew up. Jacqui and Mark have been separated for about ten years - so it's that long since we've done any family boating in Omaha. Although I'm not a water baby - as in swimming and frolicking IN it - I do quite like being ON the water (sailing not so much, I'm a power boatie by nature!)
So for the past decade we haven't done the boatie thing. Brett goes out on an annual boys' fishing weekend with Phil and co. I've had enough water experiences around the world through the years to keep me happy. But ... mission for summer - I need to get Phil to take me to Beehive Island!
Here are a couple of nice little video clips that I found that showcase Beehive Island aka Taungamaro.
SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Leigh Sawmill ...
It's an institution in this part of the world - a great cafe, with kid-friendly outdoor area, great pizzas, rustic ambience and great staff. It's been going for years, and we've been going for years, since the kids were small enough to play in sandpits. That's, hmm, about 25 years!
They also host fabulous gigs and we've been to plenty.
Tonight, Grace Kelly was playing there. No, not the movie star - the singing star!
I've mentioned Grace in several previous posts - a young singer who was part of a band of young girls I worked with back in 2012/2013.
Grace has played at a few bars recently and getting known around town. Like a faithful groupie, I've been along to watch and support and enjoy.
So great to see Grace play at the Leigh Sawmill tonight - the vibe was relaxed, the staging and lighting was great, the audience engaged. It was a raw and lovely performance. Guitarist Nick Brightwell is seriously sublime (he can make a guitar sing) and together they are just awesome.
Tonight's set - her own songs and covers - was outstanding. Loved it.
Here's a photo. The fabulous video footage I took is too big to post here.
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| Grace and guitarist Nick Brightwell - outstanding! |
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