Gone fishing

Just as we were heading out to Taipa Bay to check out the fishing competition, we got an invite to do some fishing on 90 mile beach. Ended up at Cooper's Beach for some body-boarding then had a look at the weigh-in. Didn't hang around for long, looked quite relaxed, lots of beer being drunk and prizes given out. No fish on show while we were there.

Our own fishing was fun and is mostly explained by the pictures below. It was great to see the boys running in the surf and up the dunes. That was one of the main reasons why we moved here, to see them doing more active things outside.

We got home at 10.30pm and Stuart was complaining that he had not had chance to watch his daily 2 hours of TV!

The business end of a long-line. Reel in foreground holds 500m or line. Hooks are attached from board on right at 10m intervals; each hook baited with a bit of frozen squid. 

Baiting up the long-line and sending it out to sea, aided by a large air-bag that is blown out by an off-shore wind 

While we waited for the long-line to catch some fish we did some netting from the shore, catching 2 of these each time. They are called Kahai (in Maori) or sh*tface (in Pakeha). 

Kahai (have I spelt that right) from the net 

2 from the long-line 

Patrick is reluctant to hold this one 

Start of the mullets. Boys had back to school haircuts today. A mullet makes more sense when the UV rating is 12 because of an ozone hole 

Bottled water has an amusing name here as Eric demonstrates 

Kaitaia Walkway - second attempt

Mum was helping set up computers this morning so we had a boys outing to Kaitaia Walkway to reach the lookout point this time. Mood was upbeat at the outset, boys collected rations hats sticks etc. They even carried all their own gear. We quickly reached the point at which we had turned back last time. I was thinking that the going was a bit tame a bulldozed, clear flat lane through bush.
We got to the bit in the 3rd photo below where there had been a slip. After that the track was much more interesting. Let's say it was not wheelchair accessible any more. Stuart fell by the wayside so we said we would come back for him in 15 mins. Eric was keen to reach the top. Paddy was taking it all in his stride. Eric in fact stormed off ahead which I was not pleased about in case he or I slipped - nightmare scenario come to think of it - it is a good job I didn't have to do a risk assessment on this trip! Just as I was starting to become concerned as the track was becoming overgrown, with slippy bits going straight down the hillside, Eric appeared. We decided to head back to Stuart who had been waiting for over 15 minutes on his own. Eric was pretty tired, but reckoned he had reached the lookout.
The first picture was the last one taken. (Remember to post them the other way round in future.) They were pretty mutinous by the time that one was taken. I was the worst father in the world for dragging them up there etc etc. I bet they will talk of this walk in years to come as an epic in family history.
In the mean-time, I am up for Kaitaia Walkway no.3 if anyone cares to join me?

Regrouping before we head back to transport - note Eric's less enthusiastic posture. 

We decide to go back! 

The going starts to get trickier - Stuart holds back 

Start of the walk - mood bullish 

Looking down Norman Senn. Our house is on the left above Eric's head.  

Our place from across the front lawn (doubles up as a rugby field!) 

View up 90 mile beach from Ahipara - again on the milk run. Is this the most scenic milk round in the world? 

Hokianga Harbour at dawn taken from jetty at Kohukohu. When Eric and I went on the milk run with Stephan. 

Patrick takes a close look at the process. 

Ready for insemination