May 2012

During May we travelled to China, starting at Beijing and finishing at Kunming at the end of May. We visited Chengde, Xi'an, Yangtze River, Wuhan, Chongqing, Chengdu, Kunming, Lijiang, Shangrila and Dali. What an incredible journey through a fascinating country! We loved the variety of food, the friendly, helpful people, and the very different aspects of a country with so many millions of people. So many highlights, plenty of walking and especially up and down stairs i.e. the Great Wall and Tiger Leaping Gorge, and wandering through the old quarters. A very modern and progressive country with the variety of modern western dress and black BMWs to the ethnic minorities and their colourful clothing and transport from horses, bicycle, coaches and trains to 3-wheeled cars.

April 2012

Pukeko

April 1st we walked along the Goat Island Track which is now in good condition with a wide, gravel path. It's going to be extended to create a loop return track. If the sea is not good for water activities, there are plenty of wonderful walks not far from Leigh. Tawharanui Regional Park is one my favourite places where there is a mix of bush, farm and beach walks and great birdlife.
Changeable weather but have taken a few people out snorkelling. Visitors in B&B have been from Auckland, Ngaruawahia, USA, Germany and Tauranga.

March 2012

Paddlers at Whangateau Harbour

Rode our bikes around Atiu Creek Regional Park, guided 20 girls snorkelling at Goat Island, from Diocesan and Tony talked with Mahurangi College students. We also helped guiding snorkellers during Seaweek. The water is around 20degC but the wind and weather have been very changeable. B & B visitors so far this month have been from the Waikato, England, Australia and Germany. Bookings are starting to come in for Easter, so it'll be here before we know it. Let's hope for good weather and lots of chocolate easter eggs! This month we also have the new look www.leighbythesea.co.nz website up and looking really good.

February 2012

Our new book, Know Your New Zealand Fishes is now out. Ask your local bookshop for a copy or email us.
Blue, blue skies and clear water at the start of February. The visibility in the water is just amazing and I can't wait to get back in tomorrow. Come and stay this month in our Bed and breakfast and you too can enjoy the sea.
We dived at the Outpost with our bed and breakfast guests, Gail and John. Visibility was the best we have seen. The usual hundreds of colourful goatfish, yellow and black sponges, schools of sweep, parore, blue maomao, Jack mackerel and more. One octopus, a couple of large blue moki and one John dory. Such nice conditions at one of our favourites dive sites.
www.discovergoatisland.co.nz

January 2012

Having fun at Goat Island

Welcome to 2012. Weather has been changeable but the last few days of the month were great. We've taken heaps of visitors on guided snorkelling experiences and have also been out for a few scuba dives. Good visibility and calm conditions.  Checkout our website on www.discovergoatisland.co.nz and you can see vacancies on the Book It link for our bed and breakfast. Our b and b guests have enjoyed snorkelling, kayaking, walking, exploring and dining out at Leigh.
Just received our first copy of our new book "Know Your New Zealand Fishes" published by New Holland and out early next month. 

December 2011

Flowering Pohutukawa Tree

We escaped for a 2-week break. Firstly 3 nights in Sydney, then off to Lord Howe Island. What a magic place! If you're a nature lover then that's the place to be for the birds, the bush, the marine life both diving and snorkelling and much more. Hire a bicycle to get around, enjoy the walks, and you won't want to leave.
On our return home we took quite a few snorkellers out until the rain came. Changeable weather this season!

November 2011

Kowhai Festival - Warkworth

Water conditions have been nice and clear at Goat Island and warming up rapidly with these lovely sunny days. We've been taking lots of snorkellers out this month. Now we're going on a short holiday before the busy Christmas holidays. First Sydney, then Lord Howe Island.

October 2011

Bottlenose dolphins

Our birthday month included snorkelling with bottlenose dolphins several times, while taking out guided snorkelling tours at Goat Island. Nationalities taken snorkelling include Irish, English, American, Kiwi, Indonesian, Chinese and Indian.
Orca passed the Leigh coast at least twice, but we just had fleeting glimpses this time or arrived too late!

September 2011

Tony cycling round the lake

A couple of nights at Wai Hou Oma Lodge at Kai Iwi Lakes. Very relaxing, wonderful gardens and lake, peaceful and plenty of good food and wine. Cycled around Lake Taharoa and Lake Waikare.
Wonderful spring weather, cool nights but sunny days. This month the Rugby World Cup games begin. Plenty of visitors to NZ and we have put up our buntings to welcome anyone coming to stay in our bed and breakfast room. Also had a few overseas groups to take snorkelling at the Goat Island Marine Reserve. If you've never tried snorkelling contact Goat Island Dive now to book the experience!

August 2011

Million Dollar Point, Vanuatu

We visited Vanuatu for a couple of weeks and dived in 26degC water. Dive sites included the famous President Coolidge, Million Dollar Point and various places at Port Vila. Our highlight was walking up Mt Yasur on Tanna Island and standing on the edge of the volcano as it spewed upwards. Wow! Back in Leigh we've had heaps of Bryde's whales off the coast and bottlenose dolphins. Went kayaking at Goat Island and saw 3 NZ fur seals.

July 2011

Friendly little waxeye

Winter has set in now and we're looking forward to our Vanuatu trip, just for the warmth. Had a lovely couple stay in our b&b who were visiting from New Jersey. Sunny days with showery cool weather and windy. We're hoping for a day or two away in a lovely lodge by the Kai Iwi Lakes. It's one of those amazing Grab One Deals. Also have some photo books to complete from Photo Deals. Another deal was a half-price fare to Rangitoto Island. We hadn't been there for a very long time and thoroughly enjoyed our walk to the summit and back. The wax eyes at the summit were very friendly and shared Tony's lunch.

June 2011

Tony x 3 on Goat Island Beach

Delivered our finished book to publisher then caught up with family and friends. Now at last we can catch up on other things that have been mounting up. Not too cold for diving yet but seas mostly not good. Tony attended a senior fire fighters course in Mt Wellington. Went to the opening of the Edith Blackwell Interpretative Centre at the Leigh Marine Laboratory. Looks really good and is sure to attract heaps of visitors once officially open soon.