Christmas on the Coast

Being so close to Christmas, I thought that maybe this weekend we should have a look at all the Christmas related events that are taking place on the Kapiti Coast and in Horowhenua. Another weekend of awesome Nature Coast Experiences.

Sat 13 Carols by the Sea: 6.30pm until 8pm at McLean Park, Paraparaumu Beach. Carols, FREE sausage sizzle, drinks, bouncy castle, and a visit from Santa. Contact 04 905 0660

Sat 13 Te Horo Hall Christmas Market: Visit the Te Horo Christmas Market this year. 9am 1.30pm. There will be 60 stalls both inside and outside selling ideal gifts for Christmas.

Sat 13 Te Wananga-o-Raukawa: Whanau Day. 10am-4pm at Te Wananga-o-Raukawa, Tasman Road, Otaki. Live on-stage entertainment, showcasing ART talent. Children’s activities including rides and other activities. A variety of stalls offering kai and goods. Expo of courses on offer in 2009.

Sun 14 Shannon Christmas Parade: Parade begins at 12 noon from Memorial Hall, stalls in Te Marie Park, children’s entertainment, Santa’s cave. Contact Noeline Shaw 06 362 7075

Sun 14 Otaki Christmas in the Park: Otaki Domain $2.00 koha could earn you a spot prize Starts 3pm - 6.30pm Entertainment & food local school performances, bands & dancers Father Xmas will be there!

Sun 14 Kapiti Chamber Choir’s Christmas Concert: Heinrich Schutz ‘The Christmas Concert’ 2.30pm, at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Kapiti Road, Paraparaumu. Conductor: Stuart Douglas. Directed by Guy Jansen. Organist Peter Averi, tenor soloist Peter Dyne and an instrumental ensemble. Also a selection of carols with plenty of opportunity for audience participation. Tickets $20, students $10 available from Patricia’s fashions Waikanae, Bookstacks Raumati Village & Moby Dickens Paraparaumu Beach
Contact Lyall Perris 04 902 2546

Sun 14 Carol Service: At St Michael’s Anglican Church, Waikanae Beach at 7pm. Carol Service, and Nine lessons and Carols. Directed by Peter Godfrey with Elizabeth Salmon, organ. Contact Laury Sinclair 04 905 7790

And another great event to note in the diary for next week:

Thursday 18th December

Levin Racing Club: Christmas Race Meeting at the Otaki Maori Racing Club,
Te Roto Road, Otaki. 11am to 5pm. Free Entry. Arts and Crafts, pony rides.
Fun for the whole family.

The image above is thanks to Jan Nisbett of Paekakariki.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Dinner

I can't believe how quickly this year has gone - Wow - Xmas is nearly here which made me think about Xmas Dinner! For those of you not yet booked in tables are filling up fast.
Have just spoken to the lovely Brigitte of Stephans & she has only 2 tables left so if you want to be spoilt ring 06 362 520. Our local Traffic is open they have sent through yummy menu options ranging from only $25 ring 06 364 7764. Te Horo's Red house cafe is also open for business but again only 3 tables left ring 06 3643022.
Still on the subject of food Penray gardens on S.H.1 just south if Otaki start their PYO Strawberries next weekend & if you are stuck for a gift their wondeful baskets are a real treat!

Steam, Scots and Fine Food

Once again this weekend, The Nature Coast has got plenty of awesome events taking place.

My picks!

Saturday

Kapiti Food Fair - Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Kapiti Campus.
10am to 5pm. Free entry. Be there to celebrate the food culture of Kapiti. Food stalls, fresh produce and cooking demonstrations.
For information call Tony on 04 902 3883

Sunday

Kapiti Caledonian Society: Joint Pipe Band & Caledonian Society Christmas Party at Scots Hall, Weka Road, Raumati.
Contact Dorothy 04 297 3490

Levin Garden Trail:
10am-4pm 12 local gardens to view Proceeds towards Levin Cenotaph upgrade. Tickets $10 available from Levin Knit World & Palmers Garden Centre, Otaki New World. Legacy Antiques Shannon & Foxton Furniture Court. Contact Gloy 06 368 4590

Steam Incorporated Wellington to Palmerston North. Anniversary Special of the Wellington & Manawatu Railway Company, commemorating the Government purchasing the Wellington Manawatu Railway to allow the Wellington-Longburn sector to become part of the new NIMT. Outward trip Wellington to Palmerston North, returning to Paekakariki. Train hauled by Ja1271 with the heritage carriage fleet. Photo stops. Leave Wellington 8.30am arriving back at Paekakariki 5.20pm. Also opportunity for a short one way steam ride from Wellington Station to either Paekakariki or Paraparaumu Return to Wellington by own arrangements. Fares for this adults $25 Children $15.
Book through www.steaminc.org.nz or 0800 783 264

Once agin, so much to do, so little time!

Enjoy

Nature Coast Beach Walks - Ways to Get Closer

We all know what to do on the beach; swim, dig for pipis, walk, run, throw stick number 28739283728 to the dog, have a beer, envy the people who actually catch fish from the shore, lust after the posh houses, and marvel at shells. And Nature Coast has so many different kinds of beaches to choose from.

Last night I discovered something else to do on the beach - a sneaky way to get closer to the one you love!

We went for a walk just after 7pm, after dinner - tummies full, nothing more to do for the night. Paraparaumu Beach was low tide and was just lovely. The dog couldn't believe her luck - two walks in a day. It was a little chilly and Dean being a boy, didn't take a jacket because, "It'll be fine". He started to feel the cold not longer after we got on the beach, so oh dear how sad, we had to walk arm in arm so I could warm him up. Then he started exaggerating us walking in time with eachother (his legs are way longer than mine so we had to work together on this one), and soon we were practicing a three legged race for no reason whatsoever. And we giggled, and forgot the price of food, and stopped thinking about what we were going to do with our lives.

The dog ran off to chase seagulls. I hugged Dean even closer.

The beach is for moments of happiness. Ah. I love you beach.

From Janie Walker
A Coast Convert

Waikanae voted Top Town

Our very own Waikanae voted " Best place to live" in New Zealand by North & South Magazine.
Where does one start... The fabulous garden area where they have the famous garden trails, Nga Manu Nature Reserve a real kiwi experience, Waikanae Estuary Bird Tours with the birdman himself Mik Peryer, Waikanae Golf course a brilliant course that welcomes visitors, the Waikanae pool great for families where you can spend the day picnicking in the grounds. The Beach a great place to launch the boat for a spot of fishing or just find your own safe swimming area. My favourites are the wonderful cafes & restaurants from Relish over the railway lines to Longbeach right opposite you guessed it the beach - which is where we at the Naturecoast had our Xmas function well done guys we had a fab time & a wonderful meal! Before I go there's great excitment in Mahara place - Waikanae are to get their very own theatre complete with comfy sofa's & a cafe - construction under way, watch this space! Remember to check out other great happenings on the naturecoast @ www.naturecoast.co.nz

What a Weekend!

What a great weekend it was on the Kapiti Coast and in Horowhenua.

With such awesome weather, we even managed to squeeze in the Family Fun Day at Queen Elizabeth Park as well as the Paekakarki School Fair, both of which were awesome. QE2 Park was pretty full with the Girl Guides having a picnic as well as a big gathering of horse riders.

The Paekakariki School Fair, once again this year was excellent

For something completely different...has anyone checked out the new Campbell's Mill Road Walk Way, in the hills behind Paraparaumu yet? Its very easy to get to and by all accounts, an awesome 5km or so walk.

Maybe that's something for next week!

also if you haven't had a peek at this seasons Nature Coast Experience DVD, it should be here to have a look at.

Until then..

Chris