RWC 2011 and Waihi Beach

Tonight we are hosting a photographer from Italy who is out here to take photos to use in publicity for the coming RWC 2011. The plan is to take him up to the Waihi Athletic Rugby club in Waihi and let him loose with his camera. I have no idea what will come of this but hopefully it will offer readers  an insight into the kiwi national game, the kiwis who play it and kiwis in general.

His brief is to show readers a story about rugby in New Zealand through images.These images will relased throughout Europe in many publications to show what can be seen and done in between games in the coming RWC 2011.

In Waihi he will watch the guys train and get up a real close view of how rural kiwis do their rugby thing and as they say "a picture tells a thousand words."

If you want more information on the RWC 2011 at Waihi Beach check out www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html

Romance at Waihi Beach

Image courtesy of Mike Hill Photography

Not sure what it is about Waihi Beach - must be something about the beach air - there has just been another engagement at Waihi Beach Lodge. That is not the first engagement we've had at the lodge ( probably the fourth or fifth) and the action all seems to happen down on the beach.

Zac & Clare from Queenstown confirmed their news after Zac proposed and she said "yes" down on the beach under the stars last night - fantastic news

Congratulations to Zac & Clare - we wish them well for the future

To find out more about honeymoons at Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/specials.html

Waihi Beach Fresh Produce Market

The Waihi Beach Fresh Produce Market is now operating on every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month instead of weekly opposite the pub in WIlson Rd.This is due to weather, lack of stall holders and buyers alike as well as lack of produce.

Yesterday I wandered down to the market on a stunning autumn day and there were 15 or so stall holders and a reasonable  number of buyers looking for their weekly fresh produce. A welcome addition  yesterday was the stall with fresh fish - Kawahai and Mullet - we bought a fat Kawhai less than 24 hours old - half was headed for the smoker with the other half being turned into fish cakes - bloody beautiful.

To find out more about the Waihi Beach Fresh Produce Market www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html

Birdlife & Rats - Waihi Beach & Great Barrier

Several things really stick in my mind from our trip to Great Barrier - the real beauty, the  overall size, the isolation, the dependence on alternate power sources, the stunning beaches, the friendliness of the locals,the total dependence on boats, planes and the weather to get to and from the island - its not always in your favour when you want to get places and by certain times

But the one thing that struck us as odd was the lack of bird life in the bush. The bush is thick and dense and they are possum free but we had a walk for an hour or so one day and saw or heard only 3 or 4 birds. We heard they have a rat problem and it's not a small problem. One cafe owner from Motu Cafe told us he was getting at least 1 rat every 2 days but since he really go onto the problem the bird life around his property had really flourished to the point that he had a bell bird come and visit every day and this year now it now had a mate.

You could see in the bush the effect of no possums - the lower fauna and the smaller trees really thrived  and it got me wondering about the birds. The cafe owner and his wife do a lot of conservation work for DOC and explained that they look after a couple of islands close by and they were doing all they could to stop the spread of rats to those islands as rats were swimmers and they had a lot at stake.

Having just been for a ride down our coastal cycle track here at the beach I saw more birds in 2 minutes than I saw on the whole weekend  at the Barrier- tuis singing, wax eyes, fantails, quail and pheasants all doing their thing - makes you realize how lucky we are here on the mainland and particularly here at Waihi Beach. To find ourt more about Waihi beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html

Cone watch

Just an update on the cone above - it has shifted in the last few days and is in danger of falling down completely - not sure how or why but it is not secure like the one atop the tree further along the road.

As a suggestion whoever put it up there some remedial work is required to stabilize the cone - who ever you are I just thought you would want to know.

To find out more about Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html

Passing visitor

Late last night we had an unwanted & passing visitor at the lodge. We are not sure who it was as all we heard was this loud bang - like a big shunt really. Ali & I rushed outside to se what had happened - we thought may be a car had hit something and we may have been able to help - what we found was amazing with trees and branches everywhere.

Someone had come inside the power pole in picture 1, hit the fence a couple of times and taken out trees and bush etc along the way in picture 2 and last but not least taken out the Mako road sign and carried on
down Seaforth Rd - sorry it should be grass verge - and narrowly missing the power pole a house away.To come inside the power pole when you are sober would be a big ask and you would need a small car!

The driver is very lucky to be alive( we are assuming he/she may have been a little under the weather) and not injured - again a bit of a leap of faith but we don't know so we are giving them the benefit of the doubt - we know the car will be badly scratched and missing an indicator light and who knows what else!

To find out where Waihi Beach Lodge really is www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/map.html

Paeroa to Waihi cycle trail

It is pleasing to see the Paeroa toWaihi cycle trail getting underway and those key players involved - the various land owners all in agreement so the cycle trail can proceed.

Also I would compliment the project team for going and looking at one that really works - The Central Otago Rail Trail - set the benchmark high and measure your self against the best - top marks - I can't wait to see the project completed and opened - may be part of it in time for the RWC 2011.

The cycle trail will be great for tourists as it will potentially give them more to do and their stay will be longer in our Southern Coromandel region. The cycle trail will also compliment the stunning walks in the Karangahake gorge as well as the various walks in and around Waihi and Waihi Beach.

For more activities to do in and around Waihi & Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html