Not the human kind the canine variety

Following an early morning walk over the hill last weekend my job for the weekend was to babysit this boy while his dad had a weekend away

Sleeping with grandma, but very happy to have his dad back on Sunday.

Another week of work and driving in and out of town – Russ being the house husband and keeping the home fires burning (or rather air conditioning)

Saturday and a long weekend again today – my oldest offspring, and his friend, took grandma fishing! Russ’s back still a bit dodgy for rolling around on the boat!

Leaving the shore and the day was ‘bluebird’ – Sugarloaf Island surrounded by sea and sunshine!

This happy face, Aaron, sums up the sheer enjoyment of being on the water!

Goodbye world – Dan the captain and I could relax! We moved around the Hauraki Gulf in search of the big one……alas….lots of babies and action, but only three snapper ready to smoke!

Marinating in brown sugar and salt before going in my smoker with “Manuka” wood chips! Lucky we got the sausages out as this will only be a pre dinner snack!

A balmy evening at the beach house…

Russ enjoying a ‘Lion Red’ the kiwi version of Cisk (Malta) and Coors (USA)

Two more days (with Monday as a public holiday) of what promises to be a great summer weekend….. more adventures to come.

Welcome to the weekend, not a moment to waste in Kiwi summertime!

Across the bridge and over the wenderholm hill (next beach up the coast from Waiwera) – a morning hike.

Shoe cleaning before entering the native reserve – a kiwi practice to preserve our native flora and fauna!

A well trodden path before the climb!

Looking back across the river to Waiwera beach – about to go up….

A small rest stop – not saying we needed it just enjoying the bush scenery.

We made it! And the view from here, out to sea promised a very ‘warm’ summers day ahead!

Up and over, on the downward slope (Waiwera in the distance).

Home by 9am and it’s….

Slow cook BBQ preparation time – Today’s menu ‘Smoky Ribs’ Jaxon secret recipe ( although not so secret for those that wanted to listen to and watch every process)

Most of the day it was a gathering ‘Under the Gazebo’. Jax got the meat on and went and collected Mary for the day and friends dropped in on their way north! Lunch, swims (when it got too hot) and shooting the breeze was the order of the day!

Russ the BBQ assistant – very important job holding the tray! Seen here while ribs were being ‘Basted’

Janet headed north and I took Mary back to her Abode about 4pm!

Upon my return – it was ‘Meat carving’ time. Checking the quality – surely a post for “pitmasters” page…and then things got busy.

After a good stomach lining of Ribs, smoky sausages, beans and silver beat, it was beer and beer pong time. (For the younger generation!)

And the evening plans included a Karoake sing along , under the other gazebo, behind the boat sheds….and so it began…

Sedate murmurings and social intercourse with nibbles, lipstick and chairs, waiting for some brave person to knock out some tunes!

We have our own brave person….Steph got the ball rolling, owning some Adele and Ed Sheeran numbers!

Of course as the evening progressed, one had to actually fight for the three microphones and everyone was a singer!

And actually these guys are: Father, Son duet of a beach favourite ‘Sweet Child of Mine!’ Midnight rolled over and Sue called it quits – shortly followed by the rest of the team!

And it’s January 13th, we have been back in New Zealand only a month! And today is our youngest offsprings 23rd birthday! While freezing in winter temperatures on the other side of the world, we will celebrate for him in the sunshine!

It’s swim time George! Hello from the other side! (Steph sang this)

After a wet and windy return to New Zealand for the Kiwi Travellors, the sun and sea gods have given us the best!

Friends and family in the beach cottage (our home for the summer)…people come and people go and more people gather…

Gatherings and catchups with offspring and young people! Under the Gazebo (this could be a whole story on its own), the $79.00 Gazebo… protects from the Sun, the Rain, the passers by and is a general outdoor room meeting place for many events!

Local Mode of transport -Sues old Peugeot bike, a popular choice when having consumed a bevy to ride to the corner shop, or feed the dog! (down the road) and across to the boat shed.  Carrier basket comes in very useful needless to say!

Everyone is enjoying the beach, with its low tide running space for horses, and luke warm water to wallow in at full tide (after a hot 27-30 degree celcius day at work).  These beautiful Palaminos turned up last evening for their beach exercise session.  Actually Russ and Sues evening exercise session entailed walking to the beer fridge for a cold “Speights” and chilling under the aforementioned Gazebo!

Dog fun when the Horses are not around – young dogs and horses are not an ideal combination. However evenings are long (sun setting at 9pm) so there is time for everyone.

And of course there are fishing times…. Steph hooked this baby mako shark (well hooked into its mouth).  However, with the aid of the “Walmart” fish pliers all the way from Texas, Sue managed to free this baby and it swam off tackle free to continue its life in the deep blue sea!

While some of us are back at work, we have enjoyed two weeks of sunshine and vitamin SEA, and returning to Waiwera every evening, what more can one ask for! Choosing to live the life we love, makes every day a great one!

 

 

 

Calm seas, and what promised to be a hot summers day, greeted us yesterday morning, the day of the “Riverhaven Fishing Competition”.

On the water at 7.30am as planned, Sue, Jaxon and Steph! So far so good.

First stop 30 meters (100 feet) and free dropped the anchor – only to get a big knot around the feeder half way down! Having followed Russell’s instructions to the T, I was a little cross! Jaxon managed to unscrew some things and send the anchor to the seabed!

Then there was a message on my phone from Russell, the net was back at the cottage! So if we got a big one we were in trouble. We did have a back up in the Gaf (long bar with hook on the end).

Finally we dropped our lines and started fishing!

A couple of hours and Sue had hooked one keeper (36cm snapper) and we had thrown back a few babies, eaten our sandwiches and drunk our can of coke, all by 10am – time to move, if we were going to have any chance if entering the contest!

Out further, day getting hotter, more sunblock on our feet, to 42meters (just inside the shipping channel). Not a fishing spot and no other anglers around!

Success – Sue and Steph hooked a couple of 40cm Snappers and some mid 30’s as well – dinner sorted!

Still nothing to speak of to enter in the fishing competition, then this happened…

Jaxon swung into action – showing good patience as this fish took his line off the reel to the end…Sue waiting with aforementioned gaf to help get it into the boat – 25 minutes later.

An 80cm kingfish (well it was until we bled it and remeasured back on shore – checked in at 78cm).

We thought we had to be back on the beach at 3pm, so around 1pm we headed back in closer for the shore and decided to do a bit of fun fishing, close to the rocks of Motuora Island and only 20 minutes from Waiwera (by boat).

Lots of bites and small fish catching (throwing them back of course) but it was Jaxon’s day!

He hooked a 45cm Trevally (legal size for this fish is 25cm) and beautiful eating!

Russ sent us a message that the finish time was actually 4.30pm but, knowing that all the boats would soon be heading in, we aimed for the beach pick up at 3.30pm, just beating the queues!

Boat clean up, official fish measuring, and Sue’s hour of gutting and filleting.

Just had time for a quick shower and made prize giving at 5.30pm

The girls caught dinner and Jaxon caught the winner (well 2nd biggest other fish – not snapper – in the men’s)

To be fair, Stephs and my 41cm snappers were not far off the mark – the cup was won with a 44!!!

All in all a good days fishing with only a few blondish moments!

Fifty meters from our cottage at Waiwera is the beach – perfect for a barefoot stroll at any time you need a sea fix.

After a cleanup day yesterday and then today, a day of Jaxon cooking Slow cook BBQ brisket (Texas style) on his new toy (Webber burner), culminating in a delicious meal (It was a long day for the chef who started his cooking process at 4am this morning), we took an evening stroll on the beach with Floyd (Dans dog).

Dogs are allowed on the beach before 10am and after 5pm during the summer.

It had been a really windy onshore breeze, with choppy sea all day, but by 8pm the wind had dropped and the water really warm!

Still plenty of sunshine in these long summer evenings and plenty of sticks, for a dog to play with, washed up with the rougher sea today!

Floyd needing a rest and protecting his stick

In and out of the sea (trying to avoid swimming) up and down the beach and covered in sand – time for a shower and bed for these boys.

A spa for me and off for an early night, ready for an early start tomorrow, as we have the annual Adults fishing contest day! Russ is taking a rain check as he has hurt his back again.

Brisket sandwiches on the boat for lunch!

The first day of 2019 ticked over with the three kiwis (the Malta travelling trio) still standing and then hot footing it to our beds to ensure we could function on New Years Day.

New Year’s Day is a big day a river haven in the lives of the Bonnici-Carters.

In the 20, or so, years we have been coming here (to the Bach at Waiwera) there has been the athletics day races on the 1st of January each year.

As each new addition to the Bonnici Carter Family has arrived we have enjoyed success in the events through the ages (and aging)

This years event was no exception as the Bob and Siobhan cousins joined us for a fun afternoon!

Russ and Jaxon Run the events! (They took this over several years ago as this was one of the activities all were keen to attend)

Trudi hands out the prize money! (After last year with a slight injury decided competing was not for her)

This day is mainly about the kids….

Our crew with a supportive older adult crew in the background!

Running races for boys and girls – we had two entries in this one!

Sack Races, cousin Rico listened closely to instructions and went for gold!

Potato and spoon race – Niamh securing a solid 3rd place! And no potato drops!

Three legged race – this one takes practice…..and meeting someone for the first time with your legs tied together and arms around each other can be awkward!

And we still have races for the big kids!

Beer race for the big boys – a sprint to the finish line to secure a can of beer (can numbers less than runners)

Always a big turnout for this one – oldest guy running this time was 67! Jaxon still manages to be a winner, diving for his can, and there is always a few hamstring, muscle strain injuries as a result!

And the wine race for the girls

Yes I am still a mug and I don’t even like “bubbles’. At 58 you would think I would qualify for a ‘small’ handicap! But no, at least 20 years older than every other competitor, I still had to run the full distance!

A great afternoon was had by all, catch up with kiwi Cousins and a bit of exercise to blow the cobwebs through before a very early night for all!!

The last two days of 2018 did not give us time to dwell on achievements or losses as we filled it with adventures, family, friends and fun!

A swim at high tide with Sandy and a visit from Dad.

Denis (our neighbour) all decked out after a successful haul of pipi picking (small shellfish dug out from the sand at low tide and about 50-100 cms if water)

31st December, 2018, out to sea at 7am to catch the dawn fish (that actually didn’t happen) but it was a great morning to be out on the ocean, one of our favourite places, with a Rod dangling over the side.

Back on the beach just before 1.00pm (almost to plan) boat wash, shower and Russ and Sue went into Orewa town to see Mary (mum) and do some last minute shopping for New Year’s Eve.

Returning to our busy cottage by 5pm – time for Russ to have a rest!

The boys had cooked an early BBQ for all to eat

And a card game was in Process!

Time to get ready for the Mexican night New Year Eve Party!

The girls are ready!

The boys not quite so! A packet of Mexican corn chips taped to chest!! Oh and a hat!

The guitar came out (Jax friend Aaron) and a great time was had by all before heading to the hall at 11pm to dance in the New Year Mexican style! Well most of the time the hat stayed on – just a little tricky when giving new year hugs and kisses! (The odd tilt)

And we awake to a brand new Year of fun and adventures!

The long awaited excursion on the boat – finally the wind dropped, rods all rigged with new tackle and reels and Sue Russ and Steph were ready for a big day out ‘Fishing’

We hit the sea at 8.30, yes the bungs were in, and motored our to the channel, anchoring up…so far so good!

The snapper were biting – a little small, but good fun reeling them in and setting them free again!

Then Steph, got a good strike and brought in a nice fish…

Our first keeper! So into the bin with the ice packs and Sue grabbed the bucket to add some salt water to the bin to keep fresh. Chucking the dirty water in bucket out (to get fresh salt water) and unaware Russell was thawing our bait in said bucket. Oops… as it hit the water, we watched half a bag of squid bait float away!

Oh well – feeding the fish!

Russ and Steph then proceeded to add good size fish to the bin, Sue kept feeding the fish with her bait, then the tide turned and all the lines tangled – Sues in the middle. Half an hour of untangling – Russ told me my tackle was free! So he handed it to me and I decided that best way to wind the excess untangled line was to throw tackle (and sinker) over and rewind up. He failed to tell me that he had unhooked it from my line. So I watched my new hooks, sinkers and all my tackle disappear into the deep blue sea!

I really should have been enjoying the scenery while my fishing buddies got down to business!

By 2pm we had run out of bait (thanks to Sue) and Steph had one last piece on her rod (while I was tidying up ready to up anchor and head back in). She got a kingfish strike and it was a big one as it roared off with her line!

And headed for the anchor rope – these guys are clever, they try to swim around something so they can break the line and get away! 20 minutes of fighting and this is exactly what happened – Stephs tackle (and last bit of bait) gone!

Back in to boat clean and gut fish (Sues job), three smoked and a fabulous dinner for eight of fresh snapper!

I (Sue the blonde) am a little out of practice – but even at 58, I can learn from my mistakes!

So Christmas Day has come and gone and we are in the limbo period between Christmas Day and new year celebrations – so here I am sharing some kiwi Christmas in summer (even though we had torrential rain)

Christmas Eve was celebrated in style with music, wine, beer and lots of singing! And torrential Rain! A great time had by all (lucky the neighbours are deaf or they joined us)

Christmas Day dawned (with a few sore heads) with a clearer morning and Santa at the Bach in Waiwera!

Christmas t shirts the elf and surfing Santa.

We opened the gifts!

Jaxs new beer pong table and the team!

Russ’s trolley from Jax – specifically to cart the empties to the bin but perfect cooling vessel for Chrismas day refreshments!

Preparing the ham!

Then waiting for mum and dad and sandy to arrive for our midday feast!

Mary opening her pressies!

Culminating in a beer pong contest on the back deck (as rain was again pelting down) – Sue and Trudi the winners!

A quiet recovery day on Boxing Day and summer slowly rolling in to Waiwera!

December 27tb and Summer is here! Picked up mum (Mary) for a day at the beach!

Getting up close and personal with Dans dog Floyd!

And down to the beach for a swim at high tide.

Our sleepy little bay bathed in sunshine and seagulls! (Middle post)

Finishing off the day with a smoked BBQ cooked by Jaxon (on his new Webber BBQ) and packing for a day out fishing tomorrow – hopefully we will have a story of adventures and seafood to follow!

Christmas last year at Orewa followed a year of changes in the Bonnici-Carter Household.

Russ had a shaky start to the year, diagnosed with IPPFE – a chronic lung disease that doesn’t do well in cold weather and we decided to get out there and explore some warmer places in our world!

Fishing days at Waiwera over January..

Road trip to Wanganui for Russ’s Brother and sister in laws 40th wedding anniversary, stopping off at Te Kuiti to visit some Rugby legends.

St Patrick’s weekend at Ruakaka with the kids and Trudi – the last of the kiwi summer!

Hawaii in June with Jaxon Steph, George and Kat….Russ decided to Retire and spread his wings further…we packed up the house in Orewa and rented it out ready for the middle age OE beginning in September (which is where this story began)….

We left Dan and Floyd (the newest addition to the family) holding the fort at Waiwera and headed to Malta at the beginning of September!

Back to my favourite waterfront in the world, Senglea in summer and sunshine!

The colours of the Maltese summer.

Party time celebrating Russ’s 61st birthday with family and Trudi, who spent the first five weeks with us exploring Malta.George joined us for a week in Malta from his English home and enjoyed a welcome taste of Maltese warmth and hospitality.We spent my 58th birthday with a mini break to the northern Maltese Island of Gozo. Trudi headed home and Russ and I headed to Italy to explore Rome and the Amalfi Coast with another friend Jill.Eight days of sightseeing, walking, shopping, eating and ancient ruins in the busy crazy city of Rome. We then headed off to the Amalfi Coast for a further 10 days.Our balcony view from our home in Vietri Sul Mare, a perfect place to explore from, at the start of the Amalfi Coast.Dizzying heights and clear blue sea – a day trip to Capri Island.

Rocks and ruins at Pompeii!

Caught in a system (storm) in our last couple of days, Jill headed on with her travels and we made it back to Malta!

Next Stop Oslo – Norway, arguably the most beautiful city in the world. I will say no more, just read the earlier blogs.

Family time with George and Kat before crossing the Atlantic to Texas….

Thanksgiving and red Stangs!! (Heaven)

San Antonio and the cousins! And many adventures!

Riverboat trip and alligator hunting ….

90th birthday party! And a few other celebrations.

And back home in time for Christmas. A summer in the cottage at Waiwera!

The boys had missed us, and decorated our cottage in Christmas cheer.

So…in brief, the year has been a big adventure and lots of good changes…

The boys are all doing well and getting on in this world, we look forward to what the next twelve months brings and will keep you updated!