Mid-winter Xmas

 

Come and join us for the Mid Winter Christmas Party Weekend at Shakespeare Regional Park staying at Shakespeare Lodge.  This is always a great get-together, with plenty of great food, great company, and much laughter.  Everyone is welcome, bring your non-paddling family if you wish, there is plenty for them to do while we are out on the water.

 

Only 40 minutes from Auckland City, Shakespeare Regional Park is at the tip of the Whangaparaoa Peninsular with magnificent views of the Hauraki Gulf. 

Shakespeare Regional Park is an open wildlife sanctuary and a working farm with a variety of walks and beaches both sides of the peninsular. This is a lovely place to base ourselves with plenty of paddling options around the peninsular, Tiritiri Matangi Island, and Orewa.

 

If the weather is bad there are plenty of things to do –

Walking the many walks in the Shakespeare Regional Park, Okura Scenic Reserve or Alice Eaves Scenic Reserve.

Orewa Beach -  Cycle Way, Arts Centre, Shops, Cafes, Op shopping.

Gulf Harbour – Tiritiri Matangi Island Ferry golf courses, Snow planet, Ten Pin Bowling, Swimming pool, Adventure Park, Movie theatres.

THE THEME for the Mid-Winter Christmas is “KIWI AS”. There will be a prize for the most iconic NZ costume.

So, get your creative thinking caps on and come to the party as a pukeko, a pavlova, or a personality???????

THE ACCOMMODATION is at – Shakespeare Lodge, 1503 Whangaparaoa Road, Army Bay, Auckland 0930.

https://www.ymcaauckland.org.nz/find-your-local/shakespear-lodge/

Sleeping arrangements are bunk rooms in the main lodge or adjacent building. The lodge can accommodate 84 people in rooms that sleep 5 or more so plenty of room to spread out.  The bathroom facilities are shared. The main lodge house contains a dining room and well set up commercial kitchen. There is a barn and recreation room as well.

THE COST of attending the Mid Winter Christmas is $80 per person to cover hiring of the venue, this is payable even if you don't stay there, or stay for 1, or 2 nights.  Registration and payment must be in by 26th May to secure our booking for the lodge.

Hire kayaks are available but you will need to make your own arrangements with North Shore, or Sandringham shops, and transport it yourself.  If hiring, also ask for a helmet to be included.

How about bringing your non-kayaking family along for the weekend?

WHAT TO BRING

• A Secret Santa Prezzie, no more than $10
• Your dish for the shared Christmas Dinner along with a plate to serve it on, serving spoons or tongs and anything you need to cook it in. 
• “KIWI AS” costume to wear on Saturday night.
• Your own breakfasts and lunches, alcohol, drinks, wine glass, tea towel. 
• Sleeping bag, pillow, bed linen, bath towel, hot water bottle, torch, swimming togs, walking shoes, rain jackets (just in case).
• Normal kayaking gear, including helmets, and kayak trolleys.

Clean footwear and equipment to prevent Kauri Dieback disease.   Please see this website for information here...

TIMETABLE

FRIDAY

17.00   Shelley will open Shakespeare Lodge if you would like to arrive early. 

There is 1 key for all of the lodge buildings. The key will be hidden outside during our stay so you can all access the buildings. The hiding place will be disclosed to those who register for the weekend.

There is a security gate on the park entrance which is open until 7pm. After that you will need the entry code. 

19.00   Meet for a casual dinner at -  The Beer Spot Whangaparaoa, Coast Plaza, 719 Whangaparaoa Road.  There is a large modern space for our big group with a variety of craft beer, wine, spirits and a visiting food truck and a gourmet burger truck providing meals.  Otherwise, there are takeaways at many places on the Whangaparaoa Road or you can cook at the lodge.

21.00   Meet in the Shakespeare Lodge Dining Room for a get together and find out what’s happening Saturday.

SATURDAY

Saturday morning we are planning some paddles to suit the weather and the various skill levels.  We’ll be back in plenty of time to get the Christmas dinner underway. Saturday night we will have a shared Christmas dinner. Shelley will do a baked ham. We’ll need nibbles, veges, greens, salads, cooked chooks, puddings, etc. Let us know what food you would like to bring so we can ensure we have enough of the right stuff.

07.30   Breakfast in Lodge Dining Room

08.30   Meet in the Lodge Dining Room for a paddling briefing

09.00   Meet at launch point (probably the beach either side of the peninsular)

09.30   On water

02.30   Return from paddle 

03.00   Back at Lodge for hot showers and clean-up.

04.00   Prep for dinner, help with dining room set up and decorations

05.30   Meet in Recreation Hall for drinks, nibbles and festivities

06.30   Dinner kicks off, followed by Secret Santa game 

 

SUNDAY

Sunday there will be another paddling option before heading home. 

08.00 Meet in Lodge Dining Room for breakfast 

09.00 Meet in Lodge Dining Room for paddle briefing

09.15   Pack up

09.45   Depart lodge 

10.15   Meet at launch point 

10.45   On water

13.00 Return to launch point and have lunch (maybe at a café) before heading home.

If you have any questions contact SHELLEY   021513388   mcart232@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing you all there for a fun filled Mid-Winter Christmas weekend.

To register online click here...