WEATHER TODAY

After delaying the envitable for as long as possible, I have to admit that Winter is now here. The days are drawing in and there is a distinct nip in the air in the mornings and at night. But the days are still warm and sunny in between the rain showers and the sea still warm enough to swim in (apparently!) and with no or little wind I can still enjoy my outdoor spa.

SURF REPORT

Sea is smooth and flat, so best go fishing instead!

NATURE REPORT

Zany's Haven supports and is a subscriber to the New Zealand Fairy Tern Charitable Trust. Once common, this small shorebird is now in danger of extinction with less than 30 birds left in New Zealand. Within easy walking distance of Zany's Haven is one of the few sites, at the Waipu river estuary, were they still breed.

Last season was disasterous for the Fairy Terns breeding program at Waipu with feral cats attacking nests and birds, to people trampling on chicks two days from being able to fly. The DOC rangers have been working hard to trap the cats and educate the beach goers, but even they can not be there all the time. It seems that something else needs to be enforced now and maybe fenced areas where no one can go but DOC rangers is the only thing that will help these birds survive.

A couple of nests with eggs have been sited so far this year - all are keeping fingers crossed they hatch and thrive.

The preceeding breeding season at the Waipu River Estuary Reserve was also of limited success. Other birds to be seen at the Reserve include other rare NZ birds such as the NZ Dotterel, Caspian Tern and Variable Oystercatchers.

EVENTS

Highland Games every January 1st in Caledonian Park.

Waipu Street Market and Antique Fair every long weekend in January, June and October.

Waipu Market at the Coronation Hall, first Saturday in every month. There is also a new Sunday Farmers Market on the last Sunday in every month

Winter at Waipu is about to start again on Queens birthday weekend, for an up to date list of events see www.breambay.co.nz

GENERAL NEWS

Zany's Haven B&B has now passed its assesment to join the @home organization which strives to improve and maintain quality standards for the whole of the B&B industry in New Zealand.

The whole of Waipu is talking about the first Tartan Wearable Arts competition to be held in Waipu as part of a week long schedule of festivities to celebrate the wearing of Tartan. Entries are coming in fast for the competition and the show and judging is on Saturday 3rd July at the Waipu Coronation Hall. Tartan week ends with the Waipu Ball on Saturday 10th July and a visit by the All Blacks to Waipu Rugby Club on the 11th July. The whole week is going to be great fun with lots of wierd and wonderful happenings including a mid winter swim - come and check it out. For more info see www.breambay.co.nz

Zany's Haven B&B will offer 3 nights for the price of two for anyone booking a 3 night stay during Tartan week and for the entire length of Winter at Waipu festivities. Just mention this offer when you make your booking.

The Waipu musuem intends to be the best small musuem in the Southern Hemisphere - come and check it out for yourself.

A WALK TO THE LOCAL WAIPU WILDLIFE RESERVE

This is my favourite short walk that I can do before having to go to work in the mornings. It only takes an hour and means I do not have to drive my car to the start of the walk. I just walk down the drive and turn right to Johnson Point Road and then left down that road and I am at the Waipu wildlife reserve ( about 10 minutes) where I can usuallly spot Kingfishers, Herons, Shags, Dotterels, Fairy Terns, Oystercatchers and a variety of seagulls. I usually like to go at low tide (when you can, if you desire, access the beach and go for a swim or if I have longer walk to Waipu Cove and back. A walk of 2 hours.) What makes this walk so interesting is the constant changes that happen at the mouth of the Waipu river estuary. The sand banks are never same and river is always changing its course to the sea. It is always good to go after a storm when the changes are at there most drastic and you can really see the power of nature. It always amazes me. It is also funny to see what washes up on the tide too. After a particularly bad storm you could see garden gates, perfectly cut logs that had been waiting to go on someone's fire, boots and shoes and even a garden chair!*! Funny thing is they all disappeared rather quickly. Guess I am not the only person who likes this walk. Why not come and try it for yourself?