It is proving to be a very mild winter with not much rain which is a bit of a worry for the forthcoming summer. There are also early signs that Spring is on the way with Snow drops and some Daffidols out all ready, with the shops selling off their winter products. It is still chilly early morning and as soon as the sun goes down in the evening, but if the sun comes out in the middle of the day it is lovely and perfect for long walks on the beach

WEATHER TODAY

Blue skies and sunshine but with a chilly and biting wind. Showery too. Nights are chilly, getting dark around 6pm, with a definite nip in the air still.

SURF REPORT

Surf is up today but it is chilly. Wetsuits a necessity.

GENERAL NEWS

Following the terrible fire that destroyed three businesses in the Main Street of Waipu, I am happy to report that the Waipu Deli Cafe has reopened in a little bach opposite their original shop, next door to the Gas Petrol station and the Pharmacy has reopened in a relocated bach behind what was the Toy Library and next to Magic Takeaways. Harker's Herbals also has a 'Pop Up' shop in what was the Toy Library and a new ATM has been installed in Wild Tiger, next door to the Logan McLean Cafe. Logan Mclean caters for Vegetarians and Vegans as does Wild Tiger with a range of interesting products. Rebuilding is now well on the way though.

The"Madly Indian" restaurant, cooking tasty Indian dishes from the Punjab area, continues to be a local favourite as well as the famous Pizza Barn which now has it's own brewery on site making award winning beers. There are also new owners for the Waipu pub and hotel who have refurbished it. The pub is hoping to start offering meal deliveries soon. The local Fish 'n' Chip shop - Magic Takeaways is as popular as ever. Food is also available at the local RSA club (opposite the Fire Station) at reasonable cost. There is a new cafe in Waipu called Salt 'n' Pepper right next door to Madly Indian. The Waipu Cove Cafe has become very popular and does takeaways too. So lots and lots of food choices available.

The Waipu Museum intends to be the best small museum in the Southern Hemisphere - come and check it out for yourself. To commerate the start of WWI the Waipu Museum has installed story boards around Waipu telling some of the stories of the local brave men and women who lost their lives in the Great War, so that we can always remember them. For more info visit www.waipumuseum.com

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 40 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.

The Fairy Terns breeding season was hailed a success again. Lets hope the success continues after disasterous previous years 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. Please be mindful of the rich wildlife at the Waipu River Estuary Reserve. Other birds can also be seen at the Reserve including rare NZ birds such as the NZ Dotterel, Caspian Tern and Variable Oystercatchers. Please remember dogs are not allowed in the reserve area.

EVENTS

Highland Games every January 1st in The Caledonian Park, Waipu. Book accommodation early as Waipu soon fills up!

Waipu Easter Carnival on Easter Saturday in The Caledonian Park, Waipu.

Waipu Wearable Arts Show and Waipu in Tartan runs in July visit www.waipumuseum.com for more info

Waipu Street Market and Antique Fair are on every long weekend, the anniversary weekend in January. Then for Queens' birthday in early June and Labour weekend in October.

Boutique Sunday Market at the Waipu Coronation Hall on the Second Sunday in every month, check out the website www.waipumarket.co.nz

For more information check out www.breambay.co.nz

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 along Cove Road to Johnson Point Road and then left down that road and I am at the Waipu wildlife reserve (about 10 minutes). 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 so desire, access the beach across the estuary 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?