Matua Primary School Production

 This was amazing. They would not allow photos so I only snapped this one. There were 440 children in the production and the theatre at the Bethlehem College (where it was held) was full. Our Jay was in there somewhere. The kids had to muscle up to do three appearances over two days. Exhausting to think about it. The theme was about Richard Pearce (New Zealander) who beat the wright brothers to fly. He was given the name 'Mad Pearce' and was known locally, right from school days, as being eccentric.

Cyclone Sea

 Cyclone Gabrielle came south to pass through the Bay of Plenty and strengthen as it went on to hit Hastings and Napier further south. These pics were taken from the main beach at the Mount. Actually we got off lightly. 

McLaren Falls

 We had a great time climbing the rocks and bashing some bush all the way up to the deep ponds west of the bridge. The boys were brave enough to plunge in undies only. Later, when we got back, I was a ball of sweat only just standing up. Lewis said, "Pop, I loved that can we do it again?" My reply? "no bloody way mate"

Up Mt Maunganui Today

 Jay and I decided to summit the Mount (Mauao) today. It was very hot, but beautiful. It was almost 3 years exactly since the last time we did it together. This time he flew up. I just sweated!

January 2020

The old trig now replaced with a beautiful carved base with a large Greenstone on top.

March 2023

Nice pink phone carrier poppa....

Heron

 These guys live in a large tree at the back of our house. They are a big pain when they bomb our roof and pool. That aside, I watch them hunting and foraging on the Matua mudflats and they are an amazing bird.

In flight.

This chase was serious and it went on minutes with some agile acrobatics for such big birds. I suspect it was two males scrapping over territory.

Strutting

The Boys

Lewis

Jayden

The three of us. We made special rules for snakes and ladders where snakes don't count! This is after we all got tired not finishing the games quick enough.

The Toys

The old guy has to have his toys. No chance of a big boat or a hide away holiday home.

 

Surprise Find

I accidentally stumbled on this picture in the Tauranga library archive!

Not sure where my mask was but I was obsessed with diving underwater. I used to dive on my own under the Tauranga wharf and also from these pontoons and anywhere else I could get to. I was looking for 'stuff' and old bottles and fish. I recall lots of rubbish and ropes (hence the knife) on the bottom. I started work in the November of this year and went on to be able to afford and enjoy scuba diving and underwater photography (below) which became another obsession in the years that followed. 

This is a lifetime ago.

Photo News. Michael O'Sullivan on the Strand Reclamation pontoons having just got out or about to dive into the water using flippers and knife on his belt. Railway bridge in the background. Published 22nd January 1964

Prices In Local 1970 Newspaper

 Wow, hard to believe.

A one and a half acre two title waterfront section in Otumoetai for $12500.00 and a near new Holden Monaro GTS for $4995.00. A new pair of undies for 70cents and a new shirt for $1.50c

Something happened other than inflation. The ratios between the section and the car is way off the mark now.

Cyclone Burnout

So far so good for Tauranga at 7PM 13th.

 Radio, TV, Cafe, Work and the Internet you can't get away from it. 

Worse to come later overnight apparently.

Large Swells Forecast

 We are expecting some serious weather from Cyclone Gabrielle over the next few days. In May 2012 we had big swells that sent waves blasting up almost as high as Moturiki (Leisure Island) at the Mount. Let's see if Gabrielle betters that. I have not seen this happen since. Note the two people on top.