Fraser gets a suprise on his 80th
Fraser Sim
Fraser Sim has done it hundreds of times – donned his kilt and piped in a special guest, or piped out a loved one at a funeral. Yesterday he thought he was piping in Trevor Vaile to receive a medal a the Waipu Firestation, but in fact it was a ruse, he piped himself in to his own surprise 80th birthday.
And he never missed a beat – as you can see in the You Tube clip.
Fraser is a much loved Waipu resident, descendent of Waipu’s original settlers, and teacher of the Bagpipes, it was a treat to see his smile and friends and family gathered around.
By some miracle the secret was kept and Fraser was surprised!
Go Fraser!
War has never been so much fun!
Disguised behind the benign palms, elegant landscapes and authentic Devonshire teas on Waipu Cove Rd there is a real life war zone:
You’ve blasted your way through virtual battlefields from Halo to Gears of War to the gritty realism of Black Ops. You’ve been splattered with paintball pellets and crawled through the bush in full camo. But somewhere in between you know there must be a middle ground – a game which gives you the visceral thrills and the tactical rush of simulated combat without the expense and the big bruises…
This is it – Northland Airsoft
You strap into a full-face mask and helmet, load up your totally accurate replica AK-47 and flip off the safety. Out there among a third-world shantytown with gravel streets and camo-netted shacks your friends are waiting, armed to the teeth. In the next hour you’ll experience all the action of virtual reality games like Counterstike and Modern Warfare in real life, as you plant bombs, steal intel, snipe, outflank and duck into cover.
This is the hot new sport of Airsoft – essentially a game of soldiers amped up to adult levels and played out on a custom made indoor battlefield.
Will Browning is the tactical mastermind behind this new and exciting Waipu destination – right next to his parents’ brand new garden centre and cafe on Waipu Cove Road. He’s created a safe and controlled environment for friends to meet and shoot at each other, based on his experiences with Airsoft both here in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom.
And despite the menacing guns and military armor, this really is as safe as a game of tag. Kids as young as 10 can enjoy playing airsoft with parental supervision, and with the protection of a helmet, mask and goggles the ‘tag’ from a 6mm plastic pellet is far less painful than the solid whack of a paintball. Rules are strictly enforced to make sure that every game is fair and risk-free.
Players (as many as five per side right now) compete in multiple game types, with an emphasis on teamwork and tactics as they navigate alleys, shacks, oildrums and tyres in the battle zone. The fast-paced games last about an hour, with twists and special rules to keep the action fresh.
If you’ve played paintball, if you’re a keen gamer, or if you want to try an exciting new sport with your mates (one where you get to shoot them!), then Airsoft is for you. Gather your ‘special forces’ and get out of virtual reality and into real adrenaline-pumping action these holidays!
Rosemary adds her postsript: Pacifist that I am – I am on for a game – have had a lot of fun at the lazer strike with a group of friends in Whangarei.
Contact Details: Will northlandairsoft@aol.co.uk 09 4321 579 02102885616 533 Cove road, Waipu
Northland Airsoft
Fairy tern chicks learning to fish in the estuary
Article from the Latest Bream Bay News – Read it on line here
The first fairy tern chicks to be successfully reared at the Waipu sandspit in four years are now in the process of learning to fish with their parents down at the Waipu estuary.
Department of Conservation ranger Ali McDonald said the chicks, in separate nests at different ends of the sandspit, coped well with the heavy downpours in the last week of December and now have most of their juvenile feathers.
Just before Christmas they were banded with metal rings on their legs, which will identify them for the fairy tern volunteers and DOC staff who are working on the recovery of this very endangered bird species. Ali said the chicks are exercising their wing muscles and have been making short flights.
They are starting to practise fishing for themselves though they will be reliant on their parents for some time to feed them enough to meet their energy demands.
“The good news is they are now at an age where they have the option of flying away from some of the numerous threats which made them so vulnerable as chicks, however this is only if they can react in time and predators such as cats and harrier hawks certainly remain a very real.”
Accommodation Options in Bream Bay
Are you wondering where to stay in Waipu and Bream Bay – for you or your friends? This Bream Bay Community website has a google map link off the home page to all the available optionsa to stay in the area.
From camping grounds to amazing luxury lodges and everything in between, Waipu and Bream Bay has some great options for people wanting to stay around here.
If you have a holiday let not on this map, please let me know and I will add it.
I have just opened my own place The Red Door on Riverview which is going great – have been full up for 3 weeks! I have a 2 bedroom self contained apartment and a room available for women travellers. I have met some great people – and so far on AA Been There have had 10/10 reviews which is so cool.
2012 Waipu Highland Games
It was touch and go with the weather – many volunteers worked through the rain to set the Caledonian Park up.
But by the time 2 January rolled around – fine weather greeted us for another great Highland Games. There was a great atmosphere – I met some one guy proudly wearing his new kilt, there was of course tartan everywhere, and rarely was the sound of Pipes far from our ears.
The Tartan in the Park fashion parade is always great fun, and the fiddle competition have both become favourites for me. I watched the heavyweights and what a joy Pat Hellier is – everyone throws well, but he is stupendous and it seems so effortless as he picks up the hammer and throws it.
Well done to all those who make this event happen so well. It can only get bigger and better
2011 Waipu Christmas Parade
Christmas at Downton Abbey were the popular Best Float
Another fabulous Waipu Christmas Parade – organised by the Waipu Business and Promotions Group with support of the Whangarei District Council and countless locals. The summer seems to begin for me on Christmas eve as people flock to Waipu for the parade. The parade was a great success even if summer took a few more weeks to arrive! Scroll down for some pictures from Rosemary and Sue Welford
The winners were: The Waipu Citizens and Services Club who had a fabulous float themed on Downton Abbey. They won a $500 prize
The runners up (who won $100 each) were: Circool Circus, Waipu Playcentre, Waipu Primary, Radio Waves and Bream Bay Scouts, cubs and Keas.
Thanks to everyone who makes this event happen
and contributes to it being
such a great community event
Christmas and New Year at the Clansman Motel
Christmas Lunch 25 December
Forget about cooking, make it a special day by joining in lunch in a 5 course traditional menu $45pp Bookings essential. Ph 432 0424
Hogmanay with Clan Donald 31 December
Clan Donald invite you to join them to celebrate Hogmanay – the Scottish new year eve witha 5 course dinner, pipers and the address to the haggis $45pp Bookings essential. Ph 432 0424
Waipu Christmas Carols 2011
Once again Lachie Mclean, local singers and musicians will be practising for the annual carol service. All are welcome to join the choir – its one way of guaranteeing a seat.
Practices: 7.30 8 December, 13th and 15th December and 6pm 18th December at Waipu Presbyterian Church
Carol Service: 8pm 18 December
come early to get a seat, or bring a seat and rug to sit outside to enjoy the evening.
Highland Games on 2 January 2012
Just a reminder that the Waipu Highland Games in 2012 will be on the 2 January 2012 not the 1 January as is usually the case. As Noel Robinson reminded me:
In keeping with Waipu traditions the Games are never held on 1 January when it falls on a Sunday. It is widely belived that was simply because of the strong Presbyterian Ideals of the settlers and whilst that is no doubt relevant, although the first Games were not held for nearly 20 years after the settlers arrived, it was because the Annual Communion Service of the Waipu Presbyterian Church was always held on the first Sunday of the New Year.
These days Communion is held more frequently but the tradition of the Games date remains. In fact the hsitory of the Waipu Caledonian Society is linked to the Church in two other ways also. The present chucrh was built in 1871 – the same year as the first Games of the Caledonian Society and the Minister of the Church has always been the Padre to the Society.
Thanks for that Noel – for more on the Games, check out their Website
Waipu Highland Games
Waipu gets behind the RWC
The Judges
It might have been a nail biting final – but we got there, the All Blacks won!
What a relief…
On Saturday the shops in the main street who donned a teams colours and decorated their shops were judged by Huw Turner and Sue Matthews. The winner got a $100 Pizza Barn Voucher – it too was a close call! Scroll to the bottom to see all the photos Read more
