Summer 2009/2010

Summer 2009/2010 at the bach has been all about family, introducing Charlie to his great-great-Grandad Williams' bach legacy on his great-great-great-Grandpa Hayes' farm legacy. Spending time with Linda who's part of the fabric of the place, and Jo and Brian, whose dad helped Grandad build the bach and watching their kids enjoy the lagoon the way we all did as kids, and a visit from Sarah, whose dad spent his childhood summers there too, reminds us about the traditions and the continuity of the place. Uncle Lionel's great-grandchildren descended on their bach, spread themselves out, and echoed the sounds of the previous generations.

Then there was the usual passing parade of boats large and small, sunsets and sunrises, the milky way in clear skies, and the constant birdlife around us. This summer the lagoon was shallow and clear and full of little kids having a ball. Relentless beautiful sunshine (with high fire risk!) relieved by a consistent cooling breeze and chilly swims. Evenings relaxing with a glass or two, and many congenial chats with visitors.

Boyd Remembrance - 200th anniversary

Then, on 4-6 December, the Boyd Remembrance events were on, so another weekend at the bach - a place to retreat from sensory overload and reflect on the depth of passion and emotion that had been exposed. Christmas colours were out, little blue herons and white-faced herons fishing in the creek, and huge, juicy fresh figs on the tree.

Orca

An absolute feature of the summer holiday was an hour's paddling with a pod of six orca who cruised into the bay just as we had arrived in kayaks at the Arrows. We joined the flotilla of kayaks following the pod of a huge bull, another adult and four smaller orca, as they meandered into all the little rocky bays, probably hunting stingray - or just looking around. Looking UP at the top of a dorsal fin, being SO close to all the power and grace, and being able to spend so much time with them was amazing. Certainly a first for us.

Still waiting for Charlie

So that last post was about the 2-7 November weekend.

That weekend included time on the Whangaroa Harbour with kaumatua and Church representatives, blessings sites in preparation for the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the burning of the Boyd in 1809. A profound spiritual occasion.

The next visit, 15-17 November, was to welcome Charlie. So more work at the bach, waiting, watching dotterels dog-fighting, the crayfish boat working in the early morning light, and more glorious evenings. (I give up on the photos!)

Waiting for Charlie

It's so long since I wrote in the Bach blog, but it's been a great adventure! The bach was home for more time than usual in November and December, as first I spent time there working and waiting for Charlie. I was a time of flocks of Californian quail, nesting dotterels, terns, tui in the flax bushes beside the bach, and glorious early spring days. Tides were really high, sunsets especially vibrant, and the fog rolled out of the harbour each morning. Barbie came over to visit, and we wandered around the rocks and up the beach with Fitzy. A most mellow time of the year to enjoy the beach without hordes of visitors and to have the occasional swim without actually freezing to death. But Charlie didn't turn up that week. (and I still can't work out how to do the layout of photos!)