Rob and his two German backpacker friends came over to NZ for a while and we thought we should meet up. I offered to pick them up from the airport on Friday and go on a trip for the weekend.
Of course my car didn't start on Friday morning and after a quick panic, I managed to buy a new battery and everything was hunky dory.



Well, we set off on Sat morning and 5 hours later we arrived in the North. We had a quick look at the famous Shipwrecks (famous surf beach)



We then hit 90 mile beach and travelled up until we saw an awesome wave with a couple of surfers on it. Rob was very excited and it was a shame we didn't have any surf boards for him, but he got some great pictures



We stopped along the way to admire the scenary, including a car that had been on the beach for 6 weeks (according to one local) and we even found some wild horses. Wow.




Arriving at the far, far north end we stopped for a while for some sandboarding. A local Maori women hires out boards and was a great source of information about local spirits and spots. She even told us where to camp.










By this time it was getting late, so we made our way to the camp site and settled down for the night. We felt a bit guilty as one of the other campers moved when we setup next to him, but he just said he wanted to be isolated from people so what can you do?



The next morning we drove down to the beach, access is via a stream and it's great fun to drive through. Especially at speed! ;o)




Rob had the foresight to buy some rope and he even made a wakeboarding handle, so we decided to have a morning of car surfing. the girls hadn't done it before so it was a great experience all round.








Just as we were packing up and the tide was coming in, I again had car trouble! the battery was dead, again. Another quick panic and I was starting to wonder if I was going to lose another car to the sea when some fishermen turned up and gave us a jump start. Thank god. From this point on it was rolling starts and finding places to park on a hill was the order of the day.

We stopped to admire a shark on the beach, no idea what type it is but it looked cool (if a little dead  :o(  )




Finally, we headed home and after buying another battery to power the headlights (call me Mr Battery, I now have 3) we made it back ok. Then it was just a case of meeting up the following day to swap pictures and wish Rob & co well on their trip around the rest of NZ.

Well someone was good enough to take some photos of me whilst kitesurfing on Sunday!
I was out at Flat Island which is a good kiting spot to the East of Auckland that has flat water and is waist deep for miles and miles, excellent for beginners and learning new tricks. Sadly the wind was very gusty that day, but I still got wet!
Here's me just cruising


Here's me landing a double backroll (or a "flat back 7" according to one local. I just said "huh?")



Here's me after a fun session, folding my arms to try and hide my beer belly.


That's all for now!

Say hello to my new nephew, George Bateman, born on 6th Jan 2006.



Congratulations to Jac and James. Hurrah!

I celebrated New Years Eve in a slightly different way this year, but I think no one would be surprised to hear that I spent it on a windy beach! The predictions were awesome and I spent 4 days surfing the Auckland west coast in winds of 15 to 25 knots, mainly at Muriwai.

Muriwai is well known as a slightly wild spot, and I think the locals take a pride in that face.



There's 4WD access to the beach and just before you enter, you're reminded that sharks aren't the only thing you need to worry about!!




Nice.

Well, it was onto the beach and I don't think I ever saw more than 5 other kiters at a time on a beach which stretches for 50 km or so. The one problem is the black sand which, whilst amusing at first, is either dry and scaldingly hot or wet and sticks to everything like mud. Oh well, at least I'm spending most of my time in the water.

This is the main beach



Not especially crowded as you can see!

On Monday 2nd, the wind came in at 25 knots and brought a 6-8 foot swell with it! It was awesome, I think I can call it one of the best sessions I've ever had. There were a couple of people there with cameras but so far, I haven't been able to find any photos. :o(


Sunday was also good, I drove to the far end of Muriwai to a spot called Kaipara. It's a harbour mouth but has the flattest water I've ever kited on. Great fun.




Whilst there I finally found another kiter in a 4WD and had to tow him out of some deep sand. The beach is a little scary to drive on as you regularly hit quicksand and there are plenty of 4WD wrecks lying around to remind you that you can get into trouble very easily.

It's all worth it though, and now I'm back at work. Sore, tired, sunburnt but very, very happy  :o)