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Looking for a "winter friendly" activity to do over the Queen's Birthday weekend?
A great idea for the whole family would be to get over to Whitianga's "Village of Music" and experience the Mercury Music Festival.
Suzanne Hansen said building on the success of the… View moreLooking for a "winter friendly" activity to do over the Queen's Birthday weekend?
A great idea for the whole family would be to get over to Whitianga's "Village of Music" and experience the Mercury Music Festival.
Suzanne Hansen said building on the success of the first Mercury Music Festival, ...
Public meeting to discuss local and regional public transport issues with Julie Anne Genter – Green MP and expert on public transport. A public bus trial is underway in Thames. What other possibilities are there for smaller rural towns like Thames, and around the Coromandel Peninsula? Come … View morePublic meeting to discuss local and regional public transport issues with Julie Anne Genter – Green MP and expert on public transport. A public bus trial is underway in Thames. What other possibilities are there for smaller rural towns like Thames, and around the Coromandel Peninsula? Come and join the conversation.
Thames Civic Centre 5:30 PM Monday 22nd May
The big high over New Zealand on Saturday made for perfect running conditions for this years' Great …
Hi neighbours,
If you know anything about this act of vandalism the council wants to hear from you.
Paeroa Central School students had an inspirational visit from members of the Black Ferns on May 4. …
"Aidan is flying," exclaimed one young dancer watching a Kaihere ballet dancer wing his was to a sch…
Visitors and residents of Te Mata Bay on the Thames Coast now have a picture perfect view of the Fir…
The Thames Coast Road was closed for about three hours on Tuesday for blasting at a rock fall site. …
Congratulations to Coromandel volunteer firefighter John Bull, who is celebrating 53 years with the fire service this weekend.
Update -- the meeting tonight starts at 7 pm not 7.30pm
Public Meeting - with Scott Simpson Coromandel MP to discuss a collaboration between MP's from all political parties (yes you heard that right) on how NZ can become "Zero Carbon" and meet its obligations on climate change. Thames Civic Centre from 7:30-9:30 pm, Tuesday the 16th of … View morePublic Meeting - with Scott Simpson Coromandel MP to discuss a collaboration between MP's from all political parties (yes you heard that right) on how NZ can become "Zero Carbon" and meet its obligations on climate change. Thames Civic Centre from 7:30-9:30 pm, Tuesday the 16th of May.
Hi Everyone, I'm looking for some dinner plates in the Aegean design. Have broken a few and am needing to replace them will be grateful for any amount. Thanks.
I have a 'crat' in my garage!
I have told you many stories from the 'Coast,' some of them have been a tad far-fetched, but that goes with the territory, of awakening in Paradise. Truth tends to become--enhanced,' or 'augmented as it were. Take today's little … View moreI have a 'crat' in my garage!
I have told you many stories from the 'Coast,' some of them have been a tad far-fetched, but that goes with the territory, of awakening in Paradise. Truth tends to become--enhanced,' or 'augmented as it were. Take today's little ditty, for instance.
Before coming to live in this little part of New Zealand, one that 'punches way above its weight,' in terms of beauty, and other incredible aspects, I was told legendary stories about the size of the rats. If I took them literally, I would have gone out and bought huge dogs, of a breed that excelled even the skills of my beautiful Jack Russell, Perdy.
I stored that 'knowledge' of these mythical creatures in that part of the brain, that is only accessed upon being exposed to the reality, rather than the former. Today, I was confronted with that apparition of nightmares.
Last night was one in which the rain fell, not to the point of previous one in a hundred year storms, but enough to make me wonder if the garage was going to be reformatted in a 'Venice-like' appearance. (It's kind of weird that the news media keeps reporting these 'weather bombs' in a manner that makes one wonder if the description is becoming a bit ----over-used!) I entered the garage, hoping that I was NOT going to be throwing our more damaged goods.
I stepped inside and there was no sign of a flood, but there was something else! I saw a huge tail, scampering behind some 'stuff,' that needed sorting. It was almost black, but I could not be sure, as the light may have been playing tricks with my ageing eyes. The tales I had heard of the Thames rats impinged on my thoughts, exaggerated and massaged by visions of the beast crawling up my track pants. What a thought!!!
I quickly gathered the chook feed and left the garage, planning a MacArthur-like return to conquer the invader(s). Once back inside the house, I conversed with Perdy about how it was time she 'earned her keep.' She looked into my eyes in a way that said---'Daddy---just let me at it!'
I stuck Perdy on her leash. I did not want her disturbing delicately balanced objects,' thus turning my garage into an even more chaotic state. I need not have been concerned. Perdy headed straight to the area, whence I had earlier observed the---tail.
She became most excited, sniffing, and scratching in an attempt to get at the beast. It was then that I heard a----meow! What the hell?!! Since when had rats learned to meow? Jeeze, these Thames rats are something else---ventriloquists or Shakespearean actors to say the least!
A change of tactics was called for. I retreated, knowing that Perdy would not give up and to prove the point, she set up that barking that is specially reserved for---CATS.
'Shut up, Perdy,' I yelled, 'The neighbour is asleep!'
We returned to the house, leaving the door open, in the belief that the 'cat.' or maybe---rat, would leave the garage via the open door escape route. One can but hope. To increase the chance of a vermin-free garage, (There are mice there---I have been surprised by a few scrambling out of the chook feed, but they don't particularly bother me) I decided to take Perdy to the rain-sodden park down the road.
On our return, we re-entered the garage. Perdy headed straight for the area from whence the meow emanated. She was not as 'energetic' in her response, which had nothing to do with her having had her short walk in the rain, but perhaps a great deal to do with the possibility of the 'crat' having left the building. I could hear Elvis singing and the audience clapping.
Dear readers. That I can write a blog about something so trivial says much about my changed life. It also informs ME, that I am content. The 'Coast' is my place, now. Cats, rats---stones and'stuff' from the beach, gardens, veggies ect ect--------------- wwwauthorneilcoleman.com
Are you a true tea connoisseur who will only drink Dilmah? Starting next week from 22nd May, you can stock up on your tea collection and buy two packs of the Dilmah Ceylon Tea 100 Pack, and you'll score yourself a FREE Dilmah Mug with tea bags! This offer is only available from next Monday … View moreAre you a true tea connoisseur who will only drink Dilmah? Starting next week from 22nd May, you can stock up on your tea collection and buy two packs of the Dilmah Ceylon Tea 100 Pack, and you'll score yourself a FREE Dilmah Mug with tea bags! This offer is only available from next Monday while stocks last, so pop in and see us in-store soon!
The weather gods smiled on Thames Coromandel and the Hauraki districts for the beginning of winter sport for hundreds on the weekend.
The start of the winter sporting season is an opportune time to thank all our wonderful volunteers who give up their time to ensure players enjoy their chosen … View moreThe weather gods smiled on Thames Coromandel and the Hauraki districts for the beginning of winter sport for hundreds on the weekend.
The start of the winter sporting season is an opportune time to thank all our wonderful volunteers who give up their time to ensure players enjoy their chosen sport, whether that be on the netball courts, rugby and soccer fields or hockey turf.
Without these dedicated volunteers, so many of our youngsters would simply miss out.
We are all busy - and our time is precious - so when locals do more than their fair share to manage, mentor, coach, umpire or referee - their efforts at trainings, behind the scenes sorting administration tasks, and on game-day, should be acknowledged.
So take a bow all of you - and thanks for all you do
Julie
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