Papa Aroha Fishing Holiday 2021

Papa Aroha Fishing Holiday December 2021

9.24am Sunday 19 December 2021. The ute, towing the boat and the Motorhome started out on the 179km journey to Papa Aroha. It was a hot day. First stop 10.30. On the far side of Waihi for morning tea. Next stop at Thames for driver changes, John and Jason in the motorhome and Jill and Jenny in the ute.

The windy and narrow road begins. At Coromandel we stopped at "Eskimo Reserve" for a much needed rest and lunch.Jason's jandals fell apart and new one's were acquired at the hardware store before tackling the final 13 windy kilometers to the Papa Aroha Holiday Park.

Arrived at our destination at 2.00pm. Afternoon tea at three. A snooze at four then "Happy Hour" followed by dinner at six. Played 500 and lights out at 9.30. Alarm set for 7.01am.

Monday morning, knock on the door just after seven. "Boat ready to leave." No breakfast for Jason. Also no food on the boat as the buns and thermos were left in the ute.Fish for lunch and dinner.

Tuesday, a successful fishing day for Jason - biggest fish caught.

Wednesday, wasn't John's birthday, but we went into Coromandel and had a lovely dinner at "The Pepper Tree".

Thursday was a rest day!

Friday was the last fishing day, and Christmas day arrived on Saturday. No gifts to each other this year. Donations made to various charities instead. At midday the lamb was prepared and put to slow cook in the BBQ. By six it was perfectly cooked. After dinner we sat on the beach edge and sipped liqueur.

Sunday morning, 8.15 on the road back to civilization.

Day one, at the filleting station. This well fed pied shag clearly dined here often.

Jason and Jill with day two’s catch.

Left: Jason with the biggest fish of the day, and also the most caught and kept.

Jason’s catch for the day.

Left top; The creek area where the boat was launched from. At low tide there was no access for boats to get in. If you could not get in here the only option was to use the boat ramp off the beach, and could be difficult when a westerly wind was blowing.

Left Bottom; Two hopeful gulls lurking at the fitteting station.

Below; Jason hosing down the area after the fish had been filleted.

Geranium outisde our cabin

Purple Linaria or Purple Toadflax.

A species of flowering plant in the plantain family. It is native to Italy

Dietes: Common Names - African Iris, Fortnight Lilly, Butterfly Iris.

Native to South Africa

Heading out on Friday 24th. Day Four of fishing - and the last day of fishing.

Arriving back with three keepers on board.

Coffee at Waikino Station