OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY TO CAMPBELLS BEACH

As a family we always head up North to Campbells Beach for a few weeks during Summer.  We go during the year at times also but this is our longest holiday there.  Mum and Dad own the coolest Beach House which we have enjoyed for many years.  Now that Dad has gone however mum may sell it as it is just a bit much for her to manage alone.  We will definitely miss all the fun times we have had there over the years but we have many memories and photos  of the great times we have enjoyed there.  Anyway for now it is still ours so we will make the most of it!  Campbells Beach is only an hour away it is 10 mins from Matakana  and is off the Road on your way to Tawharanui. 

Things we love about Campbells…

-       Kayaking when the tide is in

-       Swinging from the tree swing into the Estuary

-       Eating the Blueberry icecreams from the Blueberry Orchid at Omaha

-       Boogy Boarding at Omaha

-       Going to the Matakana Markets

-       The Peace and quiet

-       Listening to the Tui’s and other amazing bird sounds

-       No internet access

-       Having friends come up to stay with us while we are there

-       Going to Goat Island

-       Going to Tawharanui

-       Good food, especially the BBQs on the great size deck

-       Pipi digging and eating

-       Bush walks

-       Rock pool exploring

-       Bike/scooter riding

-       Having time out to recharge as a family

-       Late nights

-       Morning walks

-       Its only an hour away from home but feels like you are away from everything

-       Plus about a million other things too.

I must admit,  it was  a little hard this time heading up there as everywhere we turned we were reminded of my amazing Dad.  The garage was filled with his stuff and his sports photos,  his little drawers of screws and his saws hanging from the walls,  ‘Everything has a place and everything in its place’.  That was Dad for you.  So yes it was a little tough.  Mum came up for a while and we went through Dads old clothes  which was pretty sad but kind of good at the same time to get that job done!  Below are some of our memories there during our Holiday this Summer.  (sorry most of the photos are I phone photos so not the best quality)

Fun at Omaha below......

Burying Terina.....

Whos silly idea was that???

Below,  our Castle that Keith Built.  Amazing aye!

Just Kidding!  They were filming an advertisment on the beach this day and this was one of the props,  it was actually Polystyrene covered in sand to look like a true sand castle,  it was very well done.  So if you see a bank ad on TV with this castle in it,  we were there that day so we are nearly famous?  LOL!

Below:  Keith constructed this fort with the kids and then they waited for the water to come and break the dam.  As usual he got very fussy and precise and people from all over the beach came to comment on his skills.  LOL,  sure he loved that!!

The water coming in to destroy their fort....

Going, Going,  Gone!

The Boogie Board Queen.

 Below:  Niwa getting more and more brave by the day. (hour)

Below:  Nanny/Mum came up to stay for a few days and we made cookies this morning,  this was when Niwa was licking the beater sticks,  he didn't want to share this stick with nanny.

But eventually he gave in!  Cute!

Below:  The Bickfords come to visit us.  This photo below is of the kids on the 

little train at Matakana.

Connor and Arama at Campbells Beach.  Look at the size difference,  even though Arama is older than Connor by 6 months.  

Below:  The beautiful Campbells Beach  I love this place,  it is perfect to Kayak at when the tide is in.

This Photo below (not a good one) was of the two Kayaks having a race,  Keith Driving one and Uncle Donovan driving the other,  the kids were in Heaven trying to beat each other,  there were  only about 4 kids on each Kayak and no life jackets  typical  ha ha!  Then it was off to the tree swing to bomb into the Estuary,  it was so much fun as usual but my i phone went flat so no photos.  Crazy uncle Donovan went Jumping from the top of the tree into the water,  he freaked me and Sarah out as usual.  Flip I hope one day he doesn't break his neck doing one of his mad stunts.  

He is ADHD for sure!  Ha ha!

Niwa at Campbells on his Boogie Board.

Then home for BBQ on the deck,  Uncle Donovan and Maia below.

Chef Keith below with his guests.  Cooking up a mean feed as usual!

Sarah and I below.  This was our attempt to take a photo of ourselves with the I pad.  Crazy ladies!

All the kids inside eating their Kai around the TV after a long day of fun at the beach!  You gotta love these days I remember camping with my cousins as a kid and they are some of my fondest memories now.  Summer, Beaches, Good food, Sun, Surf, Kayaks and cousins  HOW COOL!