Yesterday late afternoon we enjoyed a walk on Ruakākā Beach. It was sunny and warm, and with the wind from the west (on this east coast beach), the sea was calm.
This photo looking north towards (probably) Bream Bay Head.
I’d already read book 1 of The Maybridge Mysteries — three gripping cozy murder mysteries by Liz Fielding and enjoyed the next two as well. 📚
Welcome to Maybridge, a picture-perfect Cotswold town where the roses bloom, gossip runs rife — and murder is never far from the flowerbeds.
Hmmm, I checked my Micro.Blog profile and discovered I follow loads of people — Micro.blog - [@Miraz](https://micro.blog/Miraz):
Following 872 users
The problem is, I don't recognise most of the names.
So I've started checking the unfamiliar ones and unfollowing those who haven't posted since 2023, 2022, and earlier, even 2018!
Today I enjoyed an exploratory 6.5 Km bike ride around Ruakākā.
It took me past the NIWA research facility, the Marsden substation and along the first part of the track parallel to the Ruakākā Pipeline road track (then the puddles got too big for me so I backtracked).
Uh oh. I think living here is going to cost more than we budgeted for. 🤣
After weeks of not going to the/a gym we finally got back to it today. The gym at the Ruakākā Recreation Centre's machines are somewhat different from the ones at the Levin gym.
I got it figured out though and did a basic routine.
Not great: the punching bag *right next* to the station I was on.
This was a surprise.
Yesterday, as part of signing up to a new medical centre, I had a 30 minute interview with a pleasant and competent nurse. She drew blood for routine checks. The needle went in easily, the process was smooth.
Hence my surprise when I saw this bruising on my arm later …
So, it turns out our fancy new dimmer switches have firmware updates and an app.
US post suspension: 'It seems very strange to not be able to send a package':
New Zealand Post announced last week it was temporarily suspending parcel shipping to the States and would only carry letters and documents.
It said the move was a temporary measure until details of how the tariffs would be enforced became clear.
Darn, I've been meaning to send a small item to a US buddy. Looks like that won't happen any time soon.
A view across the Ruakākā Racecourse from the southwest corner.
It's been a bit rainy.
At the mouth of the Ruakākā River, standing on the north shore.
In a minor triumph, I have found the charger base for the vacuum cleaner!
Meanwhile, it turns out we have our very own White-faced Heron outside the back door. 🐦
A dawn walk at the beach took me to the sandspit on the north side of the Ruakākā River mouth, a wildlife refuge, where birds nest. 🐦
There were quite a few NZ Dotterels and Variable Oystercatchers, along with black-backed gulls, a shag and possibly a duck.
No photos yet, but so far the birds I've spotted around here are:
- Mynah (they don't live as far south as Waikawa Beach)
- Sparrows
- Gulls
- Magpies
- White-faced heron
I may also have heard spur-winged plovers.
I've located my bird feeder, but haven't yet found the food … 🐦
Well, we're moved in! 🏡
At Taupō the other day we stopped to charge the EV and grab a bite to eat. I've also been thinking about buying new shoes and Shoe Clinic was just round the corner.
An excellent assistant called Christine helped me choose Merrel Moab 3 for walking and Merrel Morphlite for round town.
Delicious Roasted Chilli Paste chicken — A well balanced sweet and spicy dish, stir fried with basil leaves, seasonal vegetables and a hint of fresh garlic — at Sukjai Thai Restaurant in Kamo, Whangārei. 🍲
Mild was plenty spicy for me.
We paused on our way to Whangārei at the junction of SH1 and SH15, where I took this photo looking across Ruakākā towards the Hen and Chicken Islands in Bream Bay.
Isn't it beautiful!
Homework for me: learn the Māori names for all these places.
Stayed with whanau in Putāruru overnight. Today we go through to Whangarei to stay at a friend’s place. The dreaded Auckland motorway is today’s challenge.