[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Fed up of Kiwi's complaining about winter setting in? Well to prove they are just a bunch of big girls blouses here's a few pics from our weekend visit to Mount Maunganui which was past the date officially classed as the start of winter.

Admittedly Joe and Dylan have been hardened to cold waters having spent their last three 'summers' in Scotland, but even so, this don't look a lot like winter do it !!!

Long may the days continue like this. The trade off seems to occur at night, and even this tartan hardened individual is finding jack frost a little too busy nipping away at his toes of an evening.

Joe
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n237/pinkpiggy66/Rotorua_Tauranga_June_07/jun07142.jpg

Dylan
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n237/pinkpiggy66/Rotorua_Tauranga_June_07/jun07143.jpg

The Beach
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n237/pinkpiggy66/Rotorua_Tauranga_June_07/jun07146.jpg

[liamnrach]

BBB

I dunno matey.....it looks pretty cold to me!!:laugh But then we are from South of the Border!!:D

Still, the photo's are fantastic none the less

Happy paddling:p

Liam n Rach

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

I confess that calling the weather 'toastie' would be stretching the truth a little too far, but it really was a stunning day. The point being it is supposed to be winter. It's dodgy risking the sea in the UK in full blown summertime, never mind water up to your delicate parts in the winter.

[liamnrach]

It's dodgy risking the sea in the UK in full blown summertime, never mind water up to your delicate parts in the winter.

LOL!! That reminds me of a Billy Connelly sketch where he described going swimming in the North Sea during the summer!!:laugh He remembered hearing these wails and howls, and then realised that it was actually him making the noises as a result of '(very) cold water lapping near his delicate parts' :D

Your point is well received though....being able to paddle in water during what is meant to be winter is pretty impressive, no matter where you are!!

Cheers

Liam n Rach

[Sam B]

J and Poppy went swimming with fur seals in Whakatane last w/e. I chose to watch from the boat, I hate cold water, but it was a lovely day, and they both said the water was fine. We were supposed to be swimming with dolphins, but they wouldn't come out to play.

[The Hodges]

That reminds me of a Billy Connelly sketch where he described going swimming in the North Sea during the summer!!

For those who aren't aware of the Big Yin. There's a clip of him on his tour of NZ here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng3FdWaJvWw). Sorry, I couldn't find the one of him in the North Sea. :(

[leachio]

Ah The Hodges,

Thank u sooooo much for that link uve just made me cry and laugh all at the same time. Im a happy wee homesick scottish lass right now!!! :wah :laugh

Amanda x

[NooDleS]

Billy Connolly's World Tour of New Zealand - a great watch if your looking to travel around for a bit before settling down.

[Island Moose]

Sorry, but nobody does winter like us Canucks....


http://i.pbase.com/g3/68/484368/2/53758679.P1010040.jpg

[Caniwi]

I have to agree with Island Moose - and I'm from the West Coast (cold enough for this Kiwi!) I tell ya, the Praries in Winter was an eye opener for me!

I have to point out tho....winter in the North Island isn't the same as winter in say.........Invercargill :P

[John Z]

When I saw the picture of Dylan I kind of saw my own son walking through the somewhat cold water. Shouting:" EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" and having really big fun at the same time. (Hence the great wet spot on his shirt...?) :laugh

Even in december/january we found many beaches look this empty. Great!

John Z

[RayBCO]

J and Poppy went swimming with fur seals in Whakatane last w/e. I chose to watch from the boat, I hate cold water, but it was a lovely day, and they both said the water was fine. We were supposed to be swimming with dolphins, but they wouldn't come out to play.

Hi SamB,

Can you give me soem ideaof what Whakatane is like?
I have a chance of a job application there, but it seems a bit remote...

...of course Google Maps has a lot to answer for...some place seem quite remote but when you look at the scale of the map you are viewing...it is only a few miles or so...

Anyway, any info would be appreciated!

Thanks, RayBCO

[Andy-Dee]

You might want to PM Zardell - I think she's in that part of the world.

[zardell]

You might want to PM Zardell - I think she's in that part of the world.



You called ???

Ray, send me a P.M with a few details/questions regarding Whakatane and I'll answer them as best I can.

What or where is the job (if you want to tell me)? I may know some people who work there.

Do you have kiddies ? If so, how old are they.

Our kids are grown up now and back in the UK, so I'm afraid that I can't help a lot with schools etc., but I can sure make enquiries for you.

Yes, Whakatane is a small place by UK standards, but it's a lot larger than a UK village.

If you need a 'city' (the size of a UK town) fix there's always Rotorua and Tauranga both about an hours drive away.

Julie

xx

[Sam B]

I thought it was lovely, really liked it. Could see us living there. But I always say that every time we go anywhere in NZ that's by the sea.