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.

The Strand Tauranga

 Lots of bars and cafes down town and on the Strand. Also plenty to do for the kids on the waterfront. Lewis and Jay explore

Manukau Heads Lighthouse.

The fully restored (rebuilt) lighthouse.

Quite a drive from Tauranga but a good day trip.

The heads and notorious Manukau harbour entrance. But on a beautiful calm day.

The original lamp

The signal station was alongside the lighthouse. Check out the high winds recorded. Over 200km/hr! I believe it this is an exposed site.