Early One Morning

Mangonui, Northland. April 2009 Ajr The little fishing village of Mangonui is one of those places that changes very little over time - even under the pressures of tourism. When I returned there recently - for the first time in almost ten years, it was almost as I had left it - but for a little tarting up with smart harbourside boardwalks and a few new shops. I could forgive them that. It was 9am when I arrived there on this most recent trip and shops were creaking open their doors, locals were leaning in doorways chatting and this fishing boat was chugging slowly into port. Pretty, pretty, pretty.

Matakana Style

Matakana. April 2009 Ajr

The little village of Matakana near Warkworth, an hour north of Auckland, has gone and prettied itself up - almost too much for my liking, as it's now like a little, uplifted slice of Parnell plonked down in the middle of the countryside. I did however, love their new theatre with its colourful floor rugs and funky designer lighting. That's a nice space.

More Melons

Matakana, Northland. April 2009. Ajr Visual Treats In a Northland Window Ceramic as Opposed to Real

One Day in the Far North

Cable Bay. April 2009. Ajr.

Now that I'm back in the deep south weathering ice, snow, fog, mist, rain, hail and wind, my days in the Far North in April suddenly seem far too distant a memory. The day I took this photograph at Cable Bay, near Mangonui, it was actually raining believe it or not. If I have to endure a rainy day, that's the sort of rain I'd like down here. www.northlandnz.com

World Famous Fish & Chips

Mangonui, Far North. April 2009. Ajr

I'm afraid to say that little has changed in the little Far North fishing village of Mangonui in the decades since I last stayed there - but maybe that's a good thing. One thing that has become clear, the Mangonui Fish Shop has taken it's popularity seriously, now billing itself as The World Famous Mangonui Fish Shop. I'm always fascinated by claims like these and wonder just how they arise.

A Vineyard Autumn

Vines Turning Gold

@

Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana

April 2009. Ajr

Blue Skies in the Far North

Cable Bay, Northland. April 2009 Ajr

It was a perfect blue day when I stopped at Cable Bay in the Far North last week. I had this gorgoues little pinky-white sand beach all to myself but for a mother and a small child playing on the edge of the water. It's true what they say about the winterless North!

Pink Bananas!

Matakana, Northland. April 2009 Ajr

You can't really complain about winter when you live in a climate where bananas are appearing on trees in late April can you? I took this snap in the very trendy Matakana shopping area. The pink bananas appealed to me far more than any of the expensive boutique stores that look like they've been transplanted from Parnell!

A Northern Breakfast

Leigh. April 2009. Ajr

I love it when B&B owners go to a great deal of effort to establish a point of difference and to make their guests feel great. You can be guaranteed of that with Marshall and Teresa Gibson-Lefferts of Tera del Mar at Leigh, near Warkworth. They've built this enormous house - replicating (very well) an old two-storied Victorian villa with huge balconies, with enormous rooms for guests to sloth about in. And breakfast is a visual delight! The night I stayed, the mists came in and it was surreal and spooky and gorgeous. When I woke next morning I could see for miles across the ocean and all across to the beautiful pristine horseshoe that is nearby Pakiri Beach. www.teradelmar.co.nz

On the Edge

Bay of Islands, Northland. Images Supplied by ExploreNZ

Apologies to my Christchurch friends but I HAVE to gloat! This is where I am. Understandably, winter in the deep south seems a long way away! But, as that thoroughly thrashed cliche goes, 'someone's gotta do it.' www.explorenz.co.nz

A Birthday Treat

Te Paki Sand Dunes, Northland.Images Courtesy ExploreNZ

Today is my birthday and I'm now at an age when reverting to adolescence seems increasingly attractive. And what better place to engage in something ridiculous and whimsical than the Te Paki sand dunes in the Far North. Located near Te Paki stream - which provides access from Cape Reinga to Ninety Mile Beach for the numerous tourist buses that frequent the area - the dunes have been pushed inland for around five kilometres and in places are over 100 metres high, making them perfect for a spot of sand-boarding. You can go it alone, or you can join the Dune Rider excursions, thereby side-stepping the whole issue of driving yourself north. And there's certainly something to be said for being driven about by someone else. www.explorenz.co.nz

The Tip of the North

Cape Reinga, Northland. Image: ExploreNZ

Here I am – at the very tip of the North Island – getting a glimpse of the Cape Reinga Lighthouse. It was built in 1941 and became fully automated in 1987, ending the era of the lighthouse-keeper. According to Maori mythology, the spirits of the dead travel to Cape Reinga on their way to the after-life, so theoretically it should feel like a very spiritual place. Overflowing with tourists as it invariably is though, it’s a very special kind of hell - which is a very great pity for it’s the sort of spot I’d love to sit alone in.

Boaties' Heaven

Bay of Islands

An Aerial View

Image courtesy ExploreNZ

http://www.explorenz.co.nz/

Just Another Day in Paradise

Bay of Islands, Northland. Images Courtesy of Explore NZ

Who could blame our overseas friends for falling in love with New Zealand when this is what they have to endure? The Bay of Islands may seem 'touristy' to some, but get away from the towns and out on to the water and you discover the real beauty that makes this place so enduringly popular. It may be mid-winter - and okay, the sun may not be shining QUITE this brightly today - but there's a lot to be said for Northern warmth - and On the Edge makes it all so easy! www.explorenz.co.nz

Dreaming of The Farm

It’s snowing here in Christchurch – right now – snowflakes are fluttering into my garden as I write. So I have distracted myself with dreams of being tucked away in the luxurious comforts of The Farm at Cape Kidnappers – one of New Zealand’s newest luxury lodges. The sister property to Northland’s spectacular Kauri Cliffs, The Farm has been designed to reflect the region’s farm buildings and sitting high above the golf course, it has amazing views all the way back to Napier. The amazing par 71 golf course, designed by Tom Doak came first. It opened four years ago and even if you’re not a golfer, you should visit The Farm’s website and take a look at this incredible feat of construction. Located on the cliff tops of Cape Kidnappers (the ocean surges 800 feet below), “it has been hailed as one of the great modern marvels of golfing and is currently ranked 41st best golf course in the world by Golf Magazine.” I took the hilltop view of The Farm when I visited Napier last week. The interior shots are supplied. www.capekidnappers.com