Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Ohope Beach: Feijoa Ice Cream, Surfy Seas and Floaty Frocks

Just back from Ohope Beach, New Zealand. Hope everyone had plenty of unwindulaxing and Santa brought you a feathery frock like Pippa M's instead of a lump of coal? Back to January... tricky old month isn't it? Casting off those pesky lbs, grey skies, back to school, work, daily grind. The last dregs of the champers has been drained and the glitter hoovered up. Any successful parties over your holiday break?
Ohope Beach, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Some snaps to blast through...
Bit o clothes:


Don't usually suit tunics but took a shine to this (My Other Life) one.

Shall we get these Talisman floaties? Me and sister Sharon in Ruby Dunes 
Ruby Dunes again



Bit o views:
Ohope Beach, West End, looking out to Whale Island

Ohope Beach, West End



Mum and Dad's backyard



Bit o tucker
All ends with an "e" - Dad cooks our farewell brekkie on the barbie

Smoked fish from Alistair down the road
Bit o people:


Secret Santa ssswapping: I eventually got the green Kate Sylvester top, Pietra got my yoghurt maker. With friends Kerry and Reece
Cy, Jackson and Harley on the hill in Davenport, Auckland
Cy and Dad digging for Tuatuas again

Our friend Marion (remember we visited her in Wyoming where she lives half the year) with boys and cousin Finn. She turned 60.

Mum turned 75. With Harley, 16

I've had a history of giving really bad parties at home at Ohope Beach....no one turns up. My 50th bash two years ago turned out to be just me, family and -  a last minute rope-in - the local accountant and his wife who I didn't know but were very nice.  Looking through the photos, a friend said: "Where are all the guests? I can see you and your mother, I can see your sisters and who is this couple?" The thing is I was such a dork at school, I don't really know anyone still living in my hometown. So this year when I decided to have a barbie on New Years' I got my sisters to ask all their friends. The accountant had a previous engagement.

News from NZ Women's Weekly (horses' mouth literature) is that Trinny Woodall, rail thin host of What Not To Wear is engaged to Charles Saatchi. They were pictured "enjoying" a ciggie together at his favourite restaurant (yes, that one of the hand against the throat). Well, I suppose there are roses in her future: Charles spent $1,800 a week on flowers for his home.

Ohope Beach was named New Zealand's best beach this year and locals were agog at how jolly crowded it was: "Oh gee, it's so jolly crowded." (Not crowded) Everyone I know there still leaves their doors unlocked and keys in their cars. Sadly, over the break, a German couple were viciously beaten while freedom camping on the side of the road in Whakatane, which is the town over the hill. Hopefully that does not spell the end of the idyll.

Read melee of books; esp. enjoyed AbFab Jennifer Saunders' Bonkers -  what an incredibly likeable person. Chocka with celeb anecdotes, e.g. Princess Di pleading with Jennifer to get the dreadfully clingy Sylvester Stallone away from her. Joanna Lumley sounds like a total sweetie. (Saw La Lumley in The Wolf of Wall Street, total dogs' breakfast of a film. La Lumley has aged suddenly but gracefully, she's just lovely.)

Filled up on steak and kidney pies, Feijoa everything (Feijoa ice cream at Takapuna Beach Cafe: run, don't walk as FF would say) and fried oysters and fish and chips (pron. "fush and chups"). There was swimming and biking and tramping. No family major blow ups to report - in our family we all have opinions which simply must be expressed, though of course none of us can be described as opinionated, no sirree.

The skies were tempestuous throughout, but on the day we left it was tawesome. Mum and Dad - facing a quiet afternoon of sun, sparkly seas and next-day smoked fish pie -  waved goodbye.  Cy, 9, sighed and said as we were pulling away: "I can't wait to retire."

All calm over your break?

(By the way, I changed the settings so now anyone can comment under "anonymous" - so go on, may as well.)






42 comments:

  1. Sorry to have missed you! We are off to Whangamata at the end of the week and I was hoping you were still in situ so we could meet half way! Damn. Glad it all went well though. Would it make you feel better if I said it had rained all day, every day since you left? I will if it does! Kim

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    1. Hi Kim! Sorry to miss you. Would LOVE to have seen you chook. We will plan better for next Christmas!

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  2. I've always wanted to visit Ohope Beach, these photos just make me want to go even more! Sounds like you had a lovely, relaxing time over there. Ruby Dunes looks like a pretty amazing shop too, I'm going to check out the link.

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    1. HI Leanne, actually that last photo on your Crafting blog reminded me of the store. Love your textiley sensibility!

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  3. That sounds like quite the spot
    There in the sun I wouldn't mind being caught
    Instead stuck here with snow
    gets pretty bad when an accountant is all who will show hahaha

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    1. To true,
      When the Marginal Utilities
      Are all the glasses you're filling in

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  4. Jody dear-what a fabulous trip home to NZ. It looks so sunny and gorgeous. I know, we need the rain in Northern Cal but I'm not at the beach. What a fantastic time with family (and friends) and I'm glad you are home safe and sound. Yes, Yes-we must do a blogger meet up in SF sometime. You are tops in my book!
    xx, Heather

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  5. Your parent's place looks so lovely - the garden is fab. Glad you had a great break, laughing at your party with the accountant story though. Does it actually qualify as a party if it's family and an accountant ring in?! xx

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    1. Hi Heidi...More like a accidental gathering?Technically not really a party which excuses me from being rubbish party giver. Phew off the hook then...

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  6. Wow! When you take a holiday you REALLY take a holiday! It looks like you had a fantastic time. You make me want to visit New Zealand now. So Trinny is engaged? I used to watch that show, but my Mrs hates it. She lives in fear that someone will call them on her and she'll be forced to submit to changing her wardrobe. That right there should tell you something about her fashion sense. Anyway, glad you're back. I had missed you.

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    1. At least she knows she loves her wardrobe and everything in it - that is a contented woman!

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  7. Oh, that Cy had better start saving for her longed-for retirement right now if she wants to enjoy it like your parents. I didn't and they'll have to prise me away from my job .....How do you manage to look stunning on every photo ?

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    Replies
    1. Pixelated i-phone photos layered with instagram - better than Botox. PLus there are millions of not good ones on the cutting room floor

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  8. Happy new year! Seems like you had a great vacation! Thanks for sharing the pics.

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  9. Welcome back Jody....lots of smiles there and you obviously get your great bone structure and hair from your Ma.

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  10. Charles Saatchi is engaged already? He didn't waste much time did he? I don't envy Trinny, he sounds a right controlling bugger. Probably all charm right now but once he's got her where he wants her, it'll be all change...

    Lovely piccies, it looks an idyllic spot. No sign of a Christmas tree though...?

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    1. Hi Sarah, re Christmas tree - It was the lame dog one in previous piccies...

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  11. Welcome back doll!! Looks like you had a wonderful time, love these pictures. I could really do with being on that beach because the weather here is crap, haha. I hope the New Year is bliss for you xxx

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  12. Love the pictures! NZ is still on my bucket list - must go see where my granny was born and I do have relatives near Auckland. I am so glad you had a great birthday! I think you and I are exactly the same age and maybe I need some kind of flowing frock for my 51st? I will look when I get to Florida in a few weeks!

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    1. WMM, flowy frock for the 51st might be just the ticket. usually I NEVER do the long flowy _ have wanted to do it but try on and take off immediately - as I catch that pregnancy vibe rather than Socal vibe from them. But this falls straight enough to be a goody. Tried a belt on with it, that is also a poss. Yes Florida is flowy frock central, try Calypso St Barths too if they have it down therehttp://www.calypsostbarth.com/

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  13. I just sent my husband a link to your post. Accompanied by the words "let's move" :) xx

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  14. New Zealand is just sooo beautiful! I want to visit again.Sounds like the break was so restorative Jody. Glad you had a lovely time and the party story is hilarious. :) PS your mum has great bone structure and skin!!

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  15. Oh my gosh I want to be there!! I hope 2014 is the best year ever for you :)

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  16. Nice post and love he pics. NZ has always fascinated me. What do the locals make out of this new Pop sensation Lorde who is taking the world by storm. I saw her interviewed and she is 16 going on 35- not in a bad way but all the more surprising coming from remote NZ. I am also keen on Kimbra. I'm your age but these two are going to be (and should be) a big deal for a long time to come.

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    1. Hi GSL, They seem to love that she is not twerky Milus. yes she does seem to enjoy the buttoned up old lady chic and does some usual jerky dancing on stage apparently. She is very protected so difficult to get interviews with her. Do not know about Kimba!!! am off to ask my friends about that him-her?

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  17. Jody, Loved this! What a gorgeous area your parents live in. I'd be there all the time. Sounds like the perfect getaway. Love the dresses you and your sis had on. Did you get them? Vintage looking almost.

    Can't believe about Trinny. Is she insane?

    The photos were wonderful. Your mum is lovely. I'm with Cy. I wouldn't mind retiring to NZ!
    Happy New Year!

    xx

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    1. I know (about Trinny). Who would want to be the fourth - or is it fifth? - wife of a 70 year old control freak, albeit one who can recognise a million dollar selling shark-embalming artist?

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  18. P.S. Had Anonymous comments for a while and just got way too much spam. Constant and now that I removed it none. Wasn't worth it.

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    1. Hi Kim, Yes, I know what you mean! I am doing the moderation thing too. I will see how it goes and maybe I will have to go back to eliminating anon. Do you know of a way to set up a list of all the usual people who comment so don't have to moderate them each time?

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  19. WElcome back to REALITY!!FREEZING here……………….
    Looks like you had a beautiful visit with family……..did you and SIS get those FROCKS??Loved those!
    Your SON………..is HYSTERICAL……but you know that!XXX

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    1. Yes we did! and wore them every day on. Not sure how much wear I'll get out of them in Oakland as they will need to have a cardy with. But they are supposed to be twisted and scrunched so will be good travellers. yes what about this weather. Dry and crackly and bit smoggy

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  20. Looks like wonderful family time and warm. :) I am just north of Philadelphia ~

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    1. Cold enough for you there? Sadly no snow here, all man made so far

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  21. New Zealand in summertime is magical, isn't it? I don't think I've ever been to Ohope but must put that on our to see list when we take our next road trip. We still leave our doors unlocked and keys in the car! Lucky place to live and raise kids in my opinion, I am just loving it!!!

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  22. New Zealand in summertime is just magical, isn't it? We still leave our doors unlocked and keys in the car and we live only an hour north of Auckland! I reckon it's the best place on earth in terms of lifestyle and raising kids; totally lovin' it! Must put Ohope on our next road trip list.

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    1. You must live in a beautiful area too - is that near Warkworth?

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  23. Can I borrow your dad to rustle me up a brekkie barbie?

    Great to see some of your snaps and find out more of your trip. And doesn't your mum look elegant and beautiful at 75.

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  24. oh how i'd love to be there right now!!! i'm glad you had a good holiday!

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