Second Entry

Hi guys! Day 2 of our entries:

Below you see just one of the $1M+ homes at Manly Bay Beach. Notice the nautical port-hole windows nicely pulled off on the roof? Even though these places are big bucks, it's not because of the construction techniques. The walls have absolutely no insulation, vapour barrier, etc., and the exterior wall are only two-by-four in almost every case. The climate is so predictable, that even the most expensive homes eschew air conditioners.

Home on the Beach, Manly Bay, NZ

  

Flowers on a tree near the beach

As promised, today's theme is nautical. Below we see our host, Peter, checking the trim of the motor. We were quartering the waves with a tail wind behind us, and just a little trim of the motor stopped the rhythmic bow slap immensely. That bar he's holding onto, of course is a water ski bar, but although his kids use it, we had no time or inclination to do so on this day...  You can't see it, but his home is eight miles astern.

Peter checking the Trim

You can't really expect to get a smile out of them at this age, can you? Although it seems he'd rather be elsewhere in this shot, he was pretty charged up about the whole thing--especially on the way back, as he got to pilot the boat at a mere 50 mph heading home. (Sorry, but I didn't dare let go of my death grip on the gunwales to take a photo of it!)

Cal enduring the drudgery of a boat ride!

Half way to our destination, we stopped off at a small private island to view this wreck. Back in the late 1960's, a multi-millionaire paid to have bunch of locals scuttle this boat off a specific point in order that it act as the foundation to a pier for his yacht(s). Trouble is, they sunk the darn thing in the bay between the points, and the guy was so miffed that he abandoned his plans for the island altogether. (It seems it was too expensive to remove it, and one couldn't have such an eyesore in one's front yard, could one?)

The Best Laid Plans of Minnows and Men

 Is that you, Dad?

Another shot of Dad's boat

Below you see a shot of the hulk from the island side. Notice the catamaran in the background?

Rachael skillfully navigating treacherous waters!

Reaching our destination at last! After what seemed like just over an hour's ride, 

we arrived at our picnic spot. In the picture, you see the first Prime Minister of NZ's house. 

The capital moved, of course, but it was fascinating to see all the wonderful invasive species that 

the British were so fond of bringing along with them at that time.

Original PM's Mansion

Just one of the many Invasive Species on the Island

One of the views from our picnic spot on the island. There was a free
electric BBQ on which Peter and Rachael cooked the lamb sausage.
YUMMM!! Somewhere in this shot, I think there's a flightless bird
(no, not the kiwi.)

Picnic near the PM's Mansion

 Said Flightless Bird

 Trees in the Garden of the PM's Manse

The gang sets out fresh on a 3 hour walk

"A Three-Hour-Walk"

While on the island, we took the opportunity to explore just some of it (it's 15 km long.) Below you can see some of the other islands in the area, with the dense coniferous and fern forest in the foreground.
Obviously, this type of pine is not self-pruning, as most of those spiked branches end in a nub.

Islands in the Pacific

Gnar-ly!

 

Below you see some kind of shrub/tree that has overgrown the trail. 

It creates a haunting mood, as we tramp to the distant 150 yr-old Copper Mine.

Vines overgrowing the path

Below you see another inlet on the island from the vantage point of the trail.

On the Trail to The Copper Mine

Below, we finally make the copper mine. Unfortunately the girls had to turn back after dealing with footwear problems, but we men soldiered on toward the ultimate goal in our quest for the rare and reclusive 19th century copper mine.

A view from inside the mine

Everybody back at home safe and sound, I decided to take this photo of the lovely 

view that Peter and Rachael have when they choose to eat in their kitchen.

A Dining Room with a View


And below is the view they get when they decide to eat out on the deck; "D-E-C-K"

 "D-E-C-K."

(That one's for you, Rachael B.)

We would like to thank our hosts, who made the beginning of our trip so much more manageable and extremely more comfortable than we had anticipated while planning the trip back in Canada. Thank you, Peter and Rachael, and Sarah, and Bridget, for your patience and truly gracious hospitality...and incredible food! Thanks for all the help, also, in planning the itinerary for both the North and the South Island. We will be more than happy to return the favour, should you ever decide to grace us with your presence in Sault Ste. Marie!

Our Hosts, Peter & Rachael B. ...(& Max)

Some of the cool words that we learned while staying with you;

  

"mate"

"chilly-bin"

"nappy"

"jandles"

"togs"

"sunnys"

And it seems that positively everyone here in NZ speaks with an accent!!