Jaguar in Thames

Miranda Bird Coast (again)

Opposite Thames, on the other side of the Firth of Thames, there is an area of coastal wetland with tidal shore and mangroves, Miranda bird coast, which gives a wonderful rest place to uncountable sea birds during the warmer season between September and March. But also now in winter it is a wonderful walk to do. It's worth to visit the information centre there as well, where they show taxidermied (ausgestopfte, disecados) birds and sell wonderful books and souvenirs.
Elena and me chose this for our Sunday afternoon walk, as Felix and Daniel were invited to a birthday party.

And another healthy party...

Winter Party in our garden: we are so happy for our kids to have these friends!

Healthy Party

This nice party took place today in our garden - our boy's church group invited this huge bunch of nice chaps to make a fire and have a lot of fun and wonderful food...

Thames: Rhodes Sports Park and immediate surroundings.

Mangroves on the one side; the town and behind, Coromandel bush hills on the other side form the scenery around the popular Rhodes Park, where our kids play soccer once or twice a week. There is always something going on and in the evenings it can be very crowded even in winter with the sporty Kiwis of all ages.
As a not so sporty person, I did a small walk around as Elena picked up Felix from his soccer game.

Rugby players at Rhodes Park

Thames view from Rhodes Park

Behind the carpark, looking at Thames

Thames behind Mangroves

Mangroves

This ship is only afloat at high tide

Harakeke (NZ flax) and Mangroves on Thames' tidal coast

Climbing Te Aroha Mountain - The mountain of love (Te Aroha is Maori and means love)

The Team

The base - Spa park in Te Aroha

Entering the bush

Up we go

Weird Flora

Almost there

The Piako district from above

At the top - finally

Lunchbreak on the summit

View from the summit

Some weird plants

On the way down

Boots and Silver Fern

Beautiful view

Te Aroha town from above