End of May
Yes we are still here - us heathens who missed out on the Rapture. Waiheke is cruising along, as you do when away from it all. Meantime, most of the rest of the world is in various degrees of turmoil. Wars and weather dominate elsewhere, but Auckland lately has been bathed in sunshine and 20 degree days. Unreal for May it seems, especially when the plants and trees are in flower again. Spotted a jonquil yesterday...today May 26, we are like most other places- in extreme weather mode. Hang on folks, the wild ride has started.
March
Mainstream media have in recent weeks in NZ, contributed considerably to information (and considerable misinformation) about the moon, the super moon and what certain people have to say about it. The good thing is that people are aware of more than just earthly matters, because this is a big and fascinating universe we inhabit and our patch is less than a speck in that context. Accordingly our home planet, and us along with it, gets constantly bathed in energetic wind emanating from the sun, and which is mammoth enough to extend past the boundaries of its solar system. This brings in so much more invisible plasma into the mix and accordingly a lot that happens in space, filters down to our planet. Humans can be divided into those who only believe only in the physical and those who believe most in the metaphysical. This is what sets people apart when the subject of the influence of the sun or the moon or full moons on life on earth, is raised.
Despite the outrage and ignorance expressed recently by many in NZ regarding these matters, the rest of the world, in an overwhelming majority, comprises cultures who have continued to this day to observe and plan according to the cycles of the sun, moon and planets. No weirdness in their culture -and this is not limited to Eastern cultures. This is a world view in revival, a deeply held perspective on life on a planet that has stood its ground since humanity first evolved. It's not going away. In fact this era of instability is more likely to see western sceptics search for greater meaning than what their usual channels of information provide. For more contemporary commentary visit WAIHEKE NEWS BLOG For more on the metaphysical view ASTROBLOG
Spirit of New Zealand at Fossil Bay
The 3 masted barquentine Spirit of New Zealand (1986) stayed recently, off of Fossil Bay , near Oneroa. Customarily used for youth development voyages, out of Auckland, she is 45 metres long and with the main mast at 31 metres, she makes an impressive sight, recalling historic vessels of earlier centuries.
Onetangi Beach Waiheke is being re-groomed to deal with a second dumping of empty, but smelly horse mussel ( Atrina zelandica) shells along the complete length of the beach. The above views show the situation both west and east of the beach's busy central zone. This non-edible shellfish is normally three quarters buried in the soft sea-bed from the low tide zone area out to around 35 metres. Both big dumpings on the beach have coincided with degraded Pacific cyclone weather passing by our east coast - and with climate change altering our traditional weather, the unusual is expected to become more commonplace. Waiheke has begun to see the future, with slips, flooding and coastal erosion the standout indicators
Saturday 12 March 10.30 am Civil Defence sign was installed above Oneroa boat launch entry. People seen water -skiing, walking, dog exercising on the 2 Oneroa Beaches. Meanwhile this San Francisco image shows what a tsunami could look like in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour
A WORLD ON EDGE
While thousands here and abroad are suffering, (Christchurch quake, Japanese quakes, tsunami, nuclear crisis, war in Libya) its hard to focus on normal life. Waiheke is just cruising along with excellent weather, warm seas and just moderate, low impact visitor traffic now that locals are back to their routines.
As the unfolding Japanese crisis becomes threefold with the nuclear factor now critical, many are wondering why, what if and whether there are connections between the enhanced seismic situation linking NZ and Japan.
Such thinking is quoted as "at best, controversial" amongst scientists, but anyone who has a non-conventional view of health and medicine will not be convinced. If the flapping of one butterfly's wings can contribute turbulence to an end resulting cyclone...... (refer to THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT and Chaos Theory)
JAPAN QUAKE TAKES CENTRE STAGE March 11
We may be 5,474 miles / 8,810 km from Tokyo but the ripple effects are unavoidable after the catastrophic quake and tsunami on Fri 11 March. In terms of impact, damage, lives lost, this exceptional disaster puts the recent Christchurch quake into a vastly different category. Global media have been able to stream updated video and social networking again proves its strength in instant fresh information. A call recently made in a Waiheke News blog for all public servants in NZ to be using Twitter remains an important consideration. The Auckland Harbourmaster had no presence online in this context and arguable should have had. Locals and visitors were out on the beaches and on the water either oblivious or in disregard of the local advisory signage regarding tsunami potential. This is foolhardy behaviour. People need to know when to apply restraint to their free will. Some never will of course.
This New York Times slideshow is revealing phenomenal damage in Japan
This is the NZ tsunami monitoring readings across various New Zealand locationsarchived
The Aftermath of Feb 22
Waiheke is situated around 763 kms northeast of Christchurch - which is a bit further than the Sydney-Brisbane distance. It feels close, because it's a high profile city, our second largest, yet it also feels far, because it's not driveable, like in Australia. From Waiheke to Christchurch the route traverses harbour and sea. Near, or far, New Zealand is stunned, being a closely connected nation of merely 4.4 million, in an area similar to Italy. Blanket coverage continues on radio and television for most of the airtime and despite the intentions to rebuild the shattered city and suburbs, many who have endured two quakes in 6 months are hell-bent on leaving and there remain sound reasons for doing so. To remain in an afflicted environment takes more than true grit. It involves being subjected to embedded disturbance. Consideration of this concept involves a perception of earthquakes that far transcends just the visible evidence of massive structural damage and human injury. To put it simply the energy of the South Island is showing significant disturbance that has shown itself both in Canterbury and on the West Coast at the Pike River Mine. Once the energy breaches the surface and impacts on people and places, a resonant disturbance occurs, since the force is transmitted vibrationally through people and things. The capacity is then enhanced for people and places to bear and display disturbed energy. On the energetic plane a place of great disturbance will take considerable time to settle. A large city with many disturbed occupants will take far more time than a largely natural environment. Events stain the land. The first to leave will be those who perceive this on a highly intuitive level. The risk for Christchurch is that more disturbance will ripple through its people, aggravating violent, antisocial and criminal tendencies: disasters bring out the best in some and the worst in others. This is a critical point of destiny for Christchurch, the place, and its people.
February 22, 2011 A MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE has been experienced in Christchurch, ( M6.3 at 5kms deep, 12.51 pm local time, centred close to Lytellton, 10 kms south of Christchurch City, South Island New Zealand, with ongoing severe aftershocks. Damage and fatalities far exceed the September 4 event affecting the larger Canterbury region. NZ is virtually at a standstill watching unfolding events live on local TV. Airspace has closed. Keep up to date with info, links, quake data and trace the events of today February 22 via @waihekenews on TWITTER
Super Treats keep on coming
Just before 2pm Friday another superyacht blew in to Oneroa Bay - this one single-masted and with a navy hull - bearing again a Bermuda flag plus 2 on the pole that look to be NZ and Sweden. Quite a crowd on board, set on enjoying a swim in the outer bay & blatting around in the inflatable. size looks similar to the earlier Bermuda flagged yacht -around 4x the size of most of the others currently in the bay.Oneroa continues to be treated with some awesome = handsome & huge craft choosing to linger in the bay. Feb13-14 has seen this super sailing yacht, bearing a flag that looks to be from Bermuda. Even the dolphins couldn't resist a look, they emerged via the direction of Enclosure bay, a pod of around 20 in smaller groups, frolicking close to sunset, Sunday night in proximity to the big yacht. A small inflatable heading their way seems to have shied them away before onlookers from afar could get a good capture on the camera. At night the superyacht with masts lit like a magical islet was blessed with a unusual yellow moon... more pix on TWITPIC
Yes we are still here - us heathens who missed out on the Rapture. Waiheke is cruising along, as you do when away from it all. Meantime, most of the rest of the world is in various degrees of turmoil. Wars and weather dominate elsewhere, but Auckland lately has been bathed in sunshine and 20 degree days. Unreal for May it seems, especially when the plants and trees are in flower again. Spotted a jonquil yesterday...today May 26, we are like most other places- in extreme weather mode. Hang on folks, the wild ride has started.
March
Mainstream media have in recent weeks in NZ, contributed considerably to information (and considerable misinformation) about the moon, the super moon and what certain people have to say about it. The good thing is that people are aware of more than just earthly matters, because this is a big and fascinating universe we inhabit and our patch is less than a speck in that context. Accordingly our home planet, and us along with it, gets constantly bathed in energetic wind emanating from the sun, and which is mammoth enough to extend past the boundaries of its solar system. This brings in so much more invisible plasma into the mix and accordingly a lot that happens in space, filters down to our planet. Humans can be divided into those who only believe only in the physical and those who believe most in the metaphysical. This is what sets people apart when the subject of the influence of the sun or the moon or full moons on life on earth, is raised.
Despite the outrage and ignorance expressed recently by many in NZ regarding these matters, the rest of the world, in an overwhelming majority, comprises cultures who have continued to this day to observe and plan according to the cycles of the sun, moon and planets. No weirdness in their culture -and this is not limited to Eastern cultures. This is a world view in revival, a deeply held perspective on life on a planet that has stood its ground since humanity first evolved. It's not going away. In fact this era of instability is more likely to see western sceptics search for greater meaning than what their usual channels of information provide. For more contemporary commentary visit WAIHEKE NEWS BLOG For more on the metaphysical view ASTROBLOG
Spirit of New Zealand at Fossil Bay
The 3 masted barquentine Spirit of New Zealand (1986) stayed recently, off of Fossil Bay , near Oneroa. Customarily used for youth development voyages, out of Auckland, she is 45 metres long and with the main mast at 31 metres, she makes an impressive sight, recalling historic vessels of earlier centuries.
Onetangi Beach Waiheke is being re-groomed to deal with a second dumping of empty, but smelly horse mussel ( Atrina zelandica) shells along the complete length of the beach. The above views show the situation both west and east of the beach's busy central zone. This non-edible shellfish is normally three quarters buried in the soft sea-bed from the low tide zone area out to around 35 metres. Both big dumpings on the beach have coincided with degraded Pacific cyclone weather passing by our east coast - and with climate change altering our traditional weather, the unusual is expected to become more commonplace. Waiheke has begun to see the future, with slips, flooding and coastal erosion the standout indicators
Saturday 12 March 10.30 am Civil Defence sign was installed above Oneroa boat launch entry. People seen water -skiing, walking, dog exercising on the 2 Oneroa Beaches. Meanwhile this San Francisco image shows what a tsunami could look like in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour
A WORLD ON EDGE
While thousands here and abroad are suffering, (Christchurch quake, Japanese quakes, tsunami, nuclear crisis, war in Libya) its hard to focus on normal life. Waiheke is just cruising along with excellent weather, warm seas and just moderate, low impact visitor traffic now that locals are back to their routines.
As the unfolding Japanese crisis becomes threefold with the nuclear factor now critical, many are wondering why, what if and whether there are connections between the enhanced seismic situation linking NZ and Japan.
Such thinking is quoted as "at best, controversial" amongst scientists, but anyone who has a non-conventional view of health and medicine will not be convinced. If the flapping of one butterfly's wings can contribute turbulence to an end resulting cyclone...... (refer to THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT and Chaos Theory)
JAPAN QUAKE TAKES CENTRE STAGE March 11
We may be 5,474 miles / 8,810 km from Tokyo but the ripple effects are unavoidable after the catastrophic quake and tsunami on Fri 11 March. In terms of impact, damage, lives lost, this exceptional disaster puts the recent Christchurch quake into a vastly different category. Global media have been able to stream updated video and social networking again proves its strength in instant fresh information. A call recently made in a Waiheke News blog for all public servants in NZ to be using Twitter remains an important consideration. The Auckland Harbourmaster had no presence online in this context and arguable should have had. Locals and visitors were out on the beaches and on the water either oblivious or in disregard of the local advisory signage regarding tsunami potential. This is foolhardy behaviour. People need to know when to apply restraint to their free will. Some never will of course.
This New York Times slideshow is revealing phenomenal damage in Japan
This is the NZ tsunami monitoring readings across various New Zealand locationsarchived
The Aftermath of Feb 22
Waiheke is situated around 763 kms northeast of Christchurch - which is a bit further than the Sydney-Brisbane distance. It feels close, because it's a high profile city, our second largest, yet it also feels far, because it's not driveable, like in Australia. From Waiheke to Christchurch the route traverses harbour and sea. Near, or far, New Zealand is stunned, being a closely connected nation of merely 4.4 million, in an area similar to Italy. Blanket coverage continues on radio and television for most of the airtime and despite the intentions to rebuild the shattered city and suburbs, many who have endured two quakes in 6 months are hell-bent on leaving and there remain sound reasons for doing so. To remain in an afflicted environment takes more than true grit. It involves being subjected to embedded disturbance. Consideration of this concept involves a perception of earthquakes that far transcends just the visible evidence of massive structural damage and human injury. To put it simply the energy of the South Island is showing significant disturbance that has shown itself both in Canterbury and on the West Coast at the Pike River Mine. Once the energy breaches the surface and impacts on people and places, a resonant disturbance occurs, since the force is transmitted vibrationally through people and things. The capacity is then enhanced for people and places to bear and display disturbed energy. On the energetic plane a place of great disturbance will take considerable time to settle. A large city with many disturbed occupants will take far more time than a largely natural environment. Events stain the land. The first to leave will be those who perceive this on a highly intuitive level. The risk for Christchurch is that more disturbance will ripple through its people, aggravating violent, antisocial and criminal tendencies: disasters bring out the best in some and the worst in others. This is a critical point of destiny for Christchurch, the place, and its people.
February 22, 2011 A MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE has been experienced in Christchurch, ( M6.3 at 5kms deep, 12.51 pm local time, centred close to Lytellton, 10 kms south of Christchurch City, South Island New Zealand, with ongoing severe aftershocks. Damage and fatalities far exceed the September 4 event affecting the larger Canterbury region. NZ is virtually at a standstill watching unfolding events live on local TV. Airspace has closed. Keep up to date with info, links, quake data and trace the events of today February 22 via @waihekenews on TWITTER
Super Treats keep on coming
Just before 2pm Friday another superyacht blew in to Oneroa Bay - this one single-masted and with a navy hull - bearing again a Bermuda flag plus 2 on the pole that look to be NZ and Sweden. Quite a crowd on board, set on enjoying a swim in the outer bay & blatting around in the inflatable. size looks similar to the earlier Bermuda flagged yacht -around 4x the size of most of the others currently in the bay.Oneroa continues to be treated with some awesome = handsome & huge craft choosing to linger in the bay. Feb13-14 has seen this super sailing yacht, bearing a flag that looks to be from Bermuda. Even the dolphins couldn't resist a look, they emerged via the direction of Enclosure bay, a pod of around 20 in smaller groups, frolicking close to sunset, Sunday night in proximity to the big yacht. A small inflatable heading their way seems to have shied them away before onlookers from afar could get a good capture on the camera. At night the superyacht with masts lit like a magical islet was blessed with a unusual yellow moon... more pix on TWITPIC
February 10
Cyclone Wilma's legacy on Waiheke at the end of January has left the island with considerable unrepaired and irreparable damage. The council has erected signs to warn of slips on walkways but as evidence of the state of fiscal affairs, there appears to be scant to nil budget to restore tracks to an acceptable standard. Owhanake Bay used to feature a track close to shore - no more: at high lunar tide this week it was impassable, having a huge bite out of the area of the former pathway. Walkers can still get to Island Bay & excellent views by bypassing the beach and continuing along Korora Rd through the private (no vehicle) gates.
At a small gathering on the beach, Wednesday morning, Geraldine O'Sullivan-Beere made a proposal to hold a memorial exhibition, whenever scheduling allows, to bring together photos, paintings and relevant tributes to the Onetangi bach shown here in the aftermath of its sudden demise - full details below
Judith Ackroyd was one local with decades old memories of the Onetangi bach. Amidst a group of around 20 who attended, several spoke of their connection to the property. Tributes were also paid by those unable to attend. Property manager, Liz Sadler, who also had a close, hands-on connection dating back 3 decades, says she is still deeply affected by the event. She was at the property only hours before the land slipped away, assisting the freshly arrived renters who were set to enjoy a pleasant weekend away.
Their lucky escape, aided by the dog barking is miraculous.
Feb 7 2011 After and Before: a vintage bach on the slopes at the east end of Ontetangi Beach has been demolished after sustained rainfall overnight (28-29 January) caused a rear retaining wall to collapse and dislodge the dwelling. The occupants' dog alerted them in time for them to evacuate safely around 3 a.m. Long term property manager Liz Sadler was in shock and had shed tears, having had a 30 year association with the cute 1920's era cottage. It has served as a happy holiday rental for many over the years. The current owner has been notified. Whether excavation above the dwelling had any role to play in the demise of the cottage, was a question asked this morning as locals and visitors viewed this scene
Feb 7 2011Sunday Jan 23: Waiheke has been like the tropics with hi temps, hi humidity, gusty winds, wild seas, misty horizons as heavy overnight rain eased and the sun came out in patches. At Oneroa the wind was the main recreation for sailboarders and kiteboarders. Reported flooding across the Causeway road to Ostend due to the combined storm surges and lunar high tides. For the most part this has been a dream summer, weatherwise on Waiheke. Lots on offer still even on the odd grey/wet day and the island is quieter mid-week now that the peak vacation period is over. NZers and overseas tourists continue to flock on an island with so many styles of beach experience as well as ongoing events.
Currently the American yacht Arcturus is taking cruises into the Hauraki Gulf from Matiatia - skippered by Bruce Dunlop who will discuss your booking on 027-4779023
Waiheke has just lost one vehicle ferry provider, which will be felt economically at various levels.
Fullers now has the complete monopoly on sea travel to the island which is not ideal in tighter economic times.
Re transport monopolies affecting Waiheke check out Fullerswatch
Feb 3 2011A big weekend Anniversary has been and gone with weather, sculpture, cars, & Topp Twins all featuring prominently.
Storm Effects Update:
Local opinion indicates the storm effects were worse than the last big event - Cyclone Bola in 1988 and that rainfall as measured in the peak 24 hours has not been exceeded in the past 40 years. With these extremes the amount of repair work involved is extensive and in some cases of coastal erosion, irreparable.
The widespread occurrence of landslips on the island from the Wilma deluge overnight 28-29 January is significant and requires targeted civic policies to ensure contributing factors added in by human activity are closely monitored. (cont BLOG page)
WILMA came and left her mark: overnight effects on Waiheke are widespread with water flowing out of the hills and pooling wherever it may. Not only the tragic loss of this beloved bach at Onetangi pictured below, but also landslips large & small affecting roads & collapsing into the sea. Headland Sculpture Director Juliet Monaghan was onsite early for this premier event's second day -to find a large slump 50 metres into the trail, crossing the path of the Barebottomland works shown below. Track damage was also evident with rivers of rain gouging out fresh gravel. A flooded area had also been discovered midway through the walkway. The event was closed for a day to allow several men to remove the heavy sodden soil. More photos on TWITPIC and recent newspix are further down on this page
Events are always an extra drawcard and the INFO page has dates for upcoming events like the Car Show, the Headland Sculpture; Topp Twins.
Markets run every weekend through January offering food, produce, gifts, collectables & 2nd hand goods.JANUARY 2011
Warm weather has its hazards too in terms of optimal conditions for breeding of sea species like jellyfish - many reports recently of stings from adult and juvenile jellyfish at several popular beaches. Antihistamine tablets from the pharmacy are worth having in the beach-bag.This species is actually a colony of zooids! Check out full details on the blue-bottle known for its floating bladder and blue colouration, looking like a deflated balloon when washed up on the beach. This is one type of jellyfish known to cause very painful stings on Waiheke and the numbers are currently high
Summer is the best time to be a kid and the memories stay for life. Local young entrepreneurs set up a pyramid scheme at the Ostend Saturday Market recently. For a dollar or two players got to try to topple the pyramid of brave boys, by hurling soft hacky-sack balls in their general direction. A decent crowd was certainly entertained by this summer fun.
Markets run Saturday and Sunday during January, with Blackpool, Old School, Nikau St, being the Sunday site for car-boot bargains
Cyclone Wilma's legacy on Waiheke at the end of January has left the island with considerable unrepaired and irreparable damage. The council has erected signs to warn of slips on walkways but as evidence of the state of fiscal affairs, there appears to be scant to nil budget to restore tracks to an acceptable standard. Owhanake Bay used to feature a track close to shore - no more: at high lunar tide this week it was impassable, having a huge bite out of the area of the former pathway. Walkers can still get to Island Bay & excellent views by bypassing the beach and continuing along Korora Rd through the private (no vehicle) gates.
At a small gathering on the beach, Wednesday morning, Geraldine O'Sullivan-Beere made a proposal to hold a memorial exhibition, whenever scheduling allows, to bring together photos, paintings and relevant tributes to the Onetangi bach shown here in the aftermath of its sudden demise - full details below
Judith Ackroyd was one local with decades old memories of the Onetangi bach. Amidst a group of around 20 who attended, several spoke of their connection to the property. Tributes were also paid by those unable to attend. Property manager, Liz Sadler, who also had a close, hands-on connection dating back 3 decades, says she is still deeply affected by the event. She was at the property only hours before the land slipped away, assisting the freshly arrived renters who were set to enjoy a pleasant weekend away.
Their lucky escape, aided by the dog barking is miraculous.
Feb 7 2011 After and Before: a vintage bach on the slopes at the east end of Ontetangi Beach has been demolished after sustained rainfall overnight (28-29 January) caused a rear retaining wall to collapse and dislodge the dwelling. The occupants' dog alerted them in time for them to evacuate safely around 3 a.m. Long term property manager Liz Sadler was in shock and had shed tears, having had a 30 year association with the cute 1920's era cottage. It has served as a happy holiday rental for many over the years. The current owner has been notified. Whether excavation above the dwelling had any role to play in the demise of the cottage, was a question asked this morning as locals and visitors viewed this scene
Feb 7 2011Sunday Jan 23: Waiheke has been like the tropics with hi temps, hi humidity, gusty winds, wild seas, misty horizons as heavy overnight rain eased and the sun came out in patches. At Oneroa the wind was the main recreation for sailboarders and kiteboarders. Reported flooding across the Causeway road to Ostend due to the combined storm surges and lunar high tides. For the most part this has been a dream summer, weatherwise on Waiheke. Lots on offer still even on the odd grey/wet day and the island is quieter mid-week now that the peak vacation period is over. NZers and overseas tourists continue to flock on an island with so many styles of beach experience as well as ongoing events.
Currently the American yacht Arcturus is taking cruises into the Hauraki Gulf from Matiatia - skippered by Bruce Dunlop who will discuss your booking on 027-4779023
Waiheke has just lost one vehicle ferry provider, which will be felt economically at various levels.
Fullers now has the complete monopoly on sea travel to the island which is not ideal in tighter economic times.
Re transport monopolies affecting Waiheke check out Fullerswatch
Feb 3 2011A big weekend Anniversary has been and gone with weather, sculpture, cars, & Topp Twins all featuring prominently.
Storm Effects Update:
Local opinion indicates the storm effects were worse than the last big event - Cyclone Bola in 1988 and that rainfall as measured in the peak 24 hours has not been exceeded in the past 40 years. With these extremes the amount of repair work involved is extensive and in some cases of coastal erosion, irreparable.
The widespread occurrence of landslips on the island from the Wilma deluge overnight 28-29 January is significant and requires targeted civic policies to ensure contributing factors added in by human activity are closely monitored. (cont BLOG page)
WILMA came and left her mark: overnight effects on Waiheke are widespread with water flowing out of the hills and pooling wherever it may. Not only the tragic loss of this beloved bach at Onetangi pictured below, but also landslips large & small affecting roads & collapsing into the sea. Headland Sculpture Director Juliet Monaghan was onsite early for this premier event's second day -to find a large slump 50 metres into the trail, crossing the path of the Barebottomland works shown below. Track damage was also evident with rivers of rain gouging out fresh gravel. A flooded area had also been discovered midway through the walkway. The event was closed for a day to allow several men to remove the heavy sodden soil. More photos on TWITPIC and recent newspix are further down on this page
Events are always an extra drawcard and the INFO page has dates for upcoming events like the Car Show, the Headland Sculpture; Topp Twins.
Markets run every weekend through January offering food, produce, gifts, collectables & 2nd hand goods.JANUARY 2011
Warm weather has its hazards too in terms of optimal conditions for breeding of sea species like jellyfish - many reports recently of stings from adult and juvenile jellyfish at several popular beaches. Antihistamine tablets from the pharmacy are worth having in the beach-bag.This species is actually a colony of zooids! Check out full details on the blue-bottle known for its floating bladder and blue colouration, looking like a deflated balloon when washed up on the beach. This is one type of jellyfish known to cause very painful stings on Waiheke and the numbers are currently high
Summer is the best time to be a kid and the memories stay for life. Local young entrepreneurs set up a pyramid scheme at the Ostend Saturday Market recently. For a dollar or two players got to try to topple the pyramid of brave boys, by hurling soft hacky-sack balls in their general direction. A decent crowd was certainly entertained by this summer fun.
Markets run Saturday and Sunday during January, with Blackpool, Old School, Nikau St, being the Sunday site for car-boot bargains
RECIPE OF THE YEAR
Onetangi Ginger Chicken Salad
No 6 Chicken cooked and chopped
2 sticks of celery, diced
2 tangelos in segments
4 spring onions, chopped
1/4 cup crystalised ginger, chopped
small can unsweetened pineapple pieces, drained
1/2 can water chestnuts, drained & halved
1/4 cup each of toasted, chopped almonds, pinenuts
Dress with mayonnaise (with extra lemon, mustard & curry powders & salt if desired
Adapted from Tom Fewen in the Waiheke Island Kindergarten Summertime Cookbook (1990's)
Onetangi Ginger Chicken Salad
No 6 Chicken cooked and chopped
2 sticks of celery, diced
2 tangelos in segments
4 spring onions, chopped
1/4 cup crystalised ginger, chopped
small can unsweetened pineapple pieces, drained
1/2 can water chestnuts, drained & halved
1/4 cup each of toasted, chopped almonds, pinenuts
Dress with mayonnaise (with extra lemon, mustard & curry powders & salt if desired
Adapted from Tom Fewen in the Waiheke Island Kindergarten Summertime Cookbook (1990's)
2011 January 1
A big flotilla in Oneroa Bay - exceeding 150 of various shapes sizes and $$$ value. The atmosphere is happy and relaxed on the beaches. Roads are busy with the SUV invasion very evident. Vacationing Iron Man Terenzo Bozzone has noticed the bad driving of visitors, urging them on Twitter to chill out, slow down. Will hilly terrain & narrow windy roads which are typically poorly engineered and potholed, these roads are not made for Auckland City driving. Good advice Terenzo. Great to see so many young children and dogs out with their families, dads being dads. Makes you wonder why most people chose to grind themselves down for 11 months of the year and reserve just a few weeks to actually live.
Visitors from overseas find Waiheke very appealing: Front Page feature photo shows a young man from India, cleverly creating a sand design using his frisbee. Magic.
A big flotilla in Oneroa Bay - exceeding 150 of various shapes sizes and $$$ value. The atmosphere is happy and relaxed on the beaches. Roads are busy with the SUV invasion very evident. Vacationing Iron Man Terenzo Bozzone has noticed the bad driving of visitors, urging them on Twitter to chill out, slow down. Will hilly terrain & narrow windy roads which are typically poorly engineered and potholed, these roads are not made for Auckland City driving. Good advice Terenzo. Great to see so many young children and dogs out with their families, dads being dads. Makes you wonder why most people chose to grind themselves down for 11 months of the year and reserve just a few weeks to actually live.
Visitors from overseas find Waiheke very appealing: Front Page feature photo shows a young man from India, cleverly creating a sand design using his frisbee. Magic.
December 30 2010 island is in full holiday mode, including the occasional traffic jam - when a pedestrian surge crosses central Oneroa at the same time as a vehicle swarm emerges from Matiatia.
Only 8 boats in Oneroa Bay on Thursday along with 3 treasure hunters and a few kayakers in the mid-morning.
Little Oneroa popular as usual for its small contained recreational area - just avoid the stream near the playground due to possible septic contaminants after period of heavy rain - council signage in place presently
Palm Beach is rocking with activity on and off the water. Icecreams appealing equally to beefy young men and skinny girls
Dueling Jetskis at an otherwise tranquil Surfdale, with toddlers in the tide and a blissful sailboarder
Great options for chilling out
Very full boatloads of visitors are arriving, many intent on settling in for a big New Year, in particular the 5,000 odd planning to party at Stonyridge Vineyard.
Only 8 boats in Oneroa Bay on Thursday along with 3 treasure hunters and a few kayakers in the mid-morning.
Little Oneroa popular as usual for its small contained recreational area - just avoid the stream near the playground due to possible septic contaminants after period of heavy rain - council signage in place presently
Palm Beach is rocking with activity on and off the water. Icecreams appealing equally to beefy young men and skinny girls
Dueling Jetskis at an otherwise tranquil Surfdale, with toddlers in the tide and a blissful sailboarder
Great options for chilling out
Very full boatloads of visitors are arriving, many intent on settling in for a big New Year, in particular the 5,000 odd planning to party at Stonyridge Vineyard.
December 3 YAY a victory for all bipeds and their four footed companions, long-suffering simple folk who have had years of road dust filling their lungs while negotiating the perils of The Esplanade walk - with reckless hoons in tradesmen's trucks, vans & the ignorant in 4WD's treating this narrow winding stretch like a personal race track. Today December 1 2010 marks the day when those threats and dangers are put aside in favour of peace, tranquility, reverie, meditation, sketching, poetry or any number of enriching engagements that can take place, whist WALKING or cycling The Esplanade.
THE VERDICT - an excellent stroll, strikingly QUIET
It is surprising that local stalwarts who proposed the change have not arranged a celebratory mass walk today but hey who needs company when you're in such a cool spot
BOUQUET to Eileen Evans and supporters for achieving this
BRICKBAT to council for failing to install proper bollards by today's open
THE VERDICT - an excellent stroll, strikingly QUIET
It is surprising that local stalwarts who proposed the change have not arranged a celebratory mass walk today but hey who needs company when you're in such a cool spot
BOUQUET to Eileen Evans and supporters for achieving this
BRICKBAT to council for failing to install proper bollards by today's open
December 1 ESPLANADE WALK READY, SET, GO The Esplanade runs along Blackpool Beach frontage and meanders around the cliffs to reach Surfdale Beach. On Sunday 28 November drivers will enjoy perhaps their last weekend opportunity to take vehicles through this route. The community was split over whether to proceed with The Esplanade as a walk/cycle, horse-riding pathway but the outcome courtesy of the Community Board, voted for this outcome. It is an excellent walk and from Wednesday December 1st, only days away, the experience of tranquility on The Esplanade will be on offer. Visitors on foot can locate this walk easily from Tui St at low tide, accessing the beach along Blackool first or anytime walking down from Moa Rd . The Google Map at the bottom of this page is searchable and more more ideas go directly to the WALKS page where short easy-medium walks are promoted rather than extended tramping.
November 29 It's already MOSQUITO Time on the island with large populations of blood-suckers ready to prey on unsuspecting visitors who decide to have a sleep-over. Sleep? you may not get much if you (a) leave the windows open in order to breathe (b) fail to swathe your bed in a proper suspended mosquito net. Try not to kill them if you want a pleasant reincarnation. Deterrent sprays, citronella oil/incense may have some effect.
The vegetarians are also highly active: dancing white butterflies hungering for brassica; wide-mouthed snails rampaging after dark; tiny subversive caterpillars annihilating newborn sprouts. Murder most Horrid.
Meanwhile.. the happy, summer vacation feeling is unfolding over the island with Xmas stencilling in fluoro colours featuring on several Oneroa shop fronts. Urgent tankers of water can be seen racing to fill tanks already dry while the country starts to bake in some very high localised temperatures topping 30C
For anyone hunting/looking for our "reporter" Newsbot, he's gone AWOL, no bother, he's not on the payroll anyway, but check out his mugshot on NE
The vegetarians are also highly active: dancing white butterflies hungering for brassica; wide-mouthed snails rampaging after dark; tiny subversive caterpillars annihilating newborn sprouts. Murder most Horrid.
Meanwhile.. the happy, summer vacation feeling is unfolding over the island with Xmas stencilling in fluoro colours featuring on several Oneroa shop fronts. Urgent tankers of water can be seen racing to fill tanks already dry while the country starts to bake in some very high localised temperatures topping 30C
For anyone hunting/looking for our "reporter" Newsbot, he's gone AWOL, no bother, he's not on the payroll anyway, but check out his mugshot on NE
November 25 New signage @ Oneroa 4 Square has Mr Grocer in the old Kit but staff now in dreary BLACK
November 28 Waiheke News has "hired" under duress & for a probationary period, a newsbot who arrived very recently on the island. Due to the frightening prior experience of such classics as Mars Attacks, Independence Day, Alien 1-3, V, etc, we humans are understandably reticent & distrustful of Visitors -especially New Arrivals who are suspiciously demanding. Newsbot, as we call him, has convinced us that he wants to tell the universe about Waiheke so it's a promotion we would be silly to turn down, plus he's not interested in cash or eftpos. We have hidden the tui, kereru & other obvious avian threats & copies of "scary" movies are embargoed at the hire shops. We feel it is best to try and integrate, learn about other cultures, help them with their English. We are keeping our secret weapon under wraps as well. Yodelling, apparently drives these suckers to the point of brain explosion, so copies of the Topp Twins CDs will be issued free to all locals. If the fire siren is heard twice within a minute, the CDs are to be played at full volume. Red Cross will be ready for our casualties ( some locals detest the music too) but this plan will only be enacted if the newsbot brings too many of his friends over & looks like eyeing us up for a colony.
November 21-28 & ongoing VOICE DATA OUTAGE
A power surge has wiped out a large telecommunication roadside cabinet, resulting in loss of landline voice and data services for many in the Palm Beach area, including the Palm Beach store. virtually all of the main Palm Beach area is affected as well as Hill, Cory & Junction Rds to some extent. Phone and internet services are both affected and may be unavailable for some customers for up to two weeks due to the extensive damage to up to 1500 metres of cabling and thousands of cabinet wires needing replacement.
Burnt out cabling is evident at the Bay Rd corner opposite the cabinet. A large contingent of mainland Chorus staff are on hand, coming to grips with a significant enduring outage for those affected - possibly several hundred landline subscribers.
A power surge has wiped out a large telecommunication roadside cabinet, resulting in loss of landline voice and data services for many in the Palm Beach area, including the Palm Beach store. virtually all of the main Palm Beach area is affected as well as Hill, Cory & Junction Rds to some extent. Phone and internet services are both affected and may be unavailable for some customers for up to two weeks due to the extensive damage to up to 1500 metres of cabling and thousands of cabinet wires needing replacement.
Burnt out cabling is evident at the Bay Rd corner opposite the cabinet. A large contingent of mainland Chorus staff are on hand, coming to grips with a significant enduring outage for those affected - possibly several hundred landline subscribers.
November 24 2010 Mark Hotchin's hideaway adjacent to Palm Beach is seen sporting the New Zealand standard on a pole - centre right of the palm tree - but no half-mast in evidence in support of the Pike River miners. Kind of symbolic considering the feeling of abandonment felt by hordes of investors
November 21 2010
TASTY WAIHEKE WEEKEND
With the burgeoning full moon comes the energy of earthy things, Taurus dominates the weekend after a hairy Aries Friday night (try & avoid the aggro). So anyone who has planned a sensory event this weekend is totally going with the flow. This is the time to enjoy being a mutli-sensory being: to taste, touch, smell, hear and visually adore what suits your pleasure.
Several venues are offering temptations for the taste buds.
The main event is probably the annual Olive Festival @ Rangihoua, with food and jazz add-ons. Many will take the time to make a circuit and fit in Kennedy Point Vineyard with wine plus several other tastings, plus Man O War Cellar ditto - all 3 venues open at 11. If you can't make it, use up the Taurus energy at home in the garden, because the earth & its progency is the source of all abundance. Planting of fruiting and large seed species is good on Friday, but the weekend promotes root growth -carrots, kumara, potatoes etc.
TASTY WAIHEKE WEEKEND
With the burgeoning full moon comes the energy of earthy things, Taurus dominates the weekend after a hairy Aries Friday night (try & avoid the aggro). So anyone who has planned a sensory event this weekend is totally going with the flow. This is the time to enjoy being a mutli-sensory being: to taste, touch, smell, hear and visually adore what suits your pleasure.
Several venues are offering temptations for the taste buds.
The main event is probably the annual Olive Festival @ Rangihoua, with food and jazz add-ons. Many will take the time to make a circuit and fit in Kennedy Point Vineyard with wine plus several other tastings, plus Man O War Cellar ditto - all 3 venues open at 11. If you can't make it, use up the Taurus energy at home in the garden, because the earth & its progency is the source of all abundance. Planting of fruiting and large seed species is good on Friday, but the weekend promotes root growth -carrots, kumara, potatoes etc.
November 17 2010 With the news that anyone who looks like Cheryl West can enter a look-alike competition in conjunction with the tribute exhibition
opening December 15 @ the Auckland Museum - celebrating of course the mutli-season success of homegrown Outrageous Fortune, it may be time to fish out some local Cheryls. http://bit.ly/apM0JJ
Waiheke has its own "westie" type culture -the booze, the stockcars, the bogan hoons & the women's fashion sense, so surely we can provide a Cheryl: there are 10 winners being selected as exhibition ambassadors. Come on dob in your mate ( blokes and trannies welcome too). Donna Fahey from Dunedin is a current front-runner: http://bit.ly/cqGLvA
opening December 15 @ the Auckland Museum - celebrating of course the mutli-season success of homegrown Outrageous Fortune, it may be time to fish out some local Cheryls. http://bit.ly/apM0JJ
Waiheke has its own "westie" type culture -the booze, the stockcars, the bogan hoons & the women's fashion sense, so surely we can provide a Cheryl: there are 10 winners being selected as exhibition ambassadors. Come on dob in your mate ( blokes and trannies welcome too). Donna Fahey from Dunedin is a current front-runner: http://bit.ly/cqGLvA
November 15 2010 EN GARDE IT'S STINGRAY TIMEDivers hoping for a tasty catch of crayfish are entering the territory of the prevalent stingray and being caught off guard. Mark Donaldson suffered a shocking crotch attack while in waters off Waiheke on Friday afternoonfull story: http://bit.ly/d3XncO
A similar incident near Pakatoa on Friday resulted in a diver being injured in the abdomen. Sightings are occuring in the shallows recently around Waiheke. Advice is they only attack in response if startled and injuries, though severely painful, are rarely fatal. Respect.
A similar incident near Pakatoa on Friday resulted in a diver being injured in the abdomen. Sightings are occuring in the shallows recently around Waiheke. Advice is they only attack in response if startled and injuries, though severely painful, are rarely fatal. Respect.
November 13 2010 Hooks Bay Unreserved: To some it's pricey real estate left as an eyesore, to others a newly discovered exercise area for dogs now that this end of Surfdale Beach is off-leash all year round. Enquiries reveal this is private land & for sale, but access is free. The extensive land fronting the beach features a racetrack, a semi-permanent van dweller and a bush apartment. Classic Waiheke
November 13 2010: Pink Stink Update An unusual seaweed mass has accumulated at Oneroa Beach since winter, featuring first at the quiet west end. Known for its highly pungent smell, the weed has various colour changes as it degrades on the beach. This fascinating algal weed continues to morph and shift @ Oneroa Beach, currently just at the east end and the odour is at a lower level. Pink, purple, rusty and white depending on its mood. Further investigations underway to see what's actually going on here.
November 13 2010: Though La Nina is the prediction for summer meaning the weather oscillation has altered with likelihood of a wet northern summer affecting Waiheke, the heat so far is already impacting on soil conditions.
With hat, sunscreen and water on board, it's great weather for walking as we say farewell to the past week's guided walking festival held on the island and look at self initiated adventures available every day on the island
With hat, sunscreen and water on board, it's great weather for walking as we say farewell to the past week's guided walking festival held on the island and look at self initiated adventures available every day on the island
November 13 2010 Bulging Boats Bring Bountiful Browsers
Boats loaded to the gills pulled into Matiatia today, bearing large numbers to enjoy the Garden Safari programme run by the Jassy Dean Trust. Oneroa is thronging with shorts, jandals, sunglasses. The Waiheke weather station has gummed up as has Kiwibank in Oneroa. Never mind it's easily over 21C, with a light breeze and passing clouds.
How the gardeners in the safari programme keep up with the dry conditions must be down to excellent management.
Boats loaded to the gills pulled into Matiatia today, bearing large numbers to enjoy the Garden Safari programme run by the Jassy Dean Trust. Oneroa is thronging with shorts, jandals, sunglasses. The Waiheke weather station has gummed up as has Kiwibank in Oneroa. Never mind it's easily over 21C, with a light breeze and passing clouds.
How the gardeners in the safari programme keep up with the dry conditions must be down to excellent management.
November 12 2010 : Waiheke of old is fast disappearing as real estate becomes less of an option for the average earner. New Waiheke has a different face and old baches are not seen as charming like dimples, but more like a bit of acne to be rid of. A 1920's example along Onetangi beachfront will go under the hammer within weeks. The enormous palms in front make an eye-catching spectacle for passers-by.
Waiheke News has documented local baches photographically in recent years and these will be featured in an upcoming slideshow on this website.
Waiheke News has documented local baches photographically in recent years and these will be featured in an upcoming slideshow on this website.
November 9 2010: Overseas visitors are starting to trickle in, grateful to find a place that is relatively quiet compared to the familiar metropolitan cities of Europe, and a refreshing contrast to Auckland city. Waiheke Island could really make a statement in terms of quality eco tourism by banning private vehicles other than motor scooters & motorbikes. With a tariff applied to operate commercial vehicles, reduced usage would be encouraged. A maximum sped of 40 kms would reinforce the notion of "slowing down". By promoting more walking & cycling, the island would develop a sense of pace that is very relaxing. We don't have to compete with the city for noise and speed.
The idea of a car-free island is not unheard of and there are many car-less towns or city areas around the world. Check out http://tinyurl.com/4ntdum
The idea of a car-free island is not unheard of and there are many car-less towns or city areas around the world. Check out http://tinyurl.com/4ntdum