Orere Point, a new regional park and rainbow dolphins sighted on Onehunga Bay!

What a day!---so far, and there are quite a few hours to go. I started with a morning walk down at the 'bay, then off to pick up my sister, before heading off to check out the Orere Point Top Ten Holiday Park, with the view to assessing whether it could be a possibility to have a caravan; one which could include Perdy on my visits. We stopped at a little park in Clevedon, so Perdy could have a stretch and a swim in the river. She loved it and was ready to take on the world after her cool dip. We arrived at the Orere Point Holiday Park in the tiny settlement of Orere Point. In the past my brother and his partner had a caravan there and I have some fond memories of that, along with going to the 'Point' as a younger guy to visit my old mate, Phil Goff. I met the friendly 'Camp Mother,' Stephanie, who made me feel really welcome. It transpired that one needs to buy an existing caravan along with the attached decking and little extra building and pay a fee for each year. It is 'DOABLE!' I took Perdy for a walk around the well established grounds and visited the water hole. Perdy can swim there, except for January (and XMAS). I am very attracted to taking the next step. The beach is great, fishing and nearby attractions--all fit well with me, but I am a bit concerned that there is no cell phone signal that is reliable in the camp, but that will not stop me from going ahead. There is a net café, for want of a better word, so one doesn't need to feel totally 'separated.' I do need such services as I wish to spend a good deal of my 'down time,' wherever I go, writing and blogging. There may be ways around those issues. Here's hoping that the area gets a 'connection.' OK---time to take ,'her majesty,' Perdy not my sister, who has never claimed royal connections, to the beach. Perdy took one look and was off into the water, chasing he ball that I had not even thrown. However, events did eventually synchronise, and it was all on for a manic few minutes. She took a few dips in the fresh water in the river mouth and demanded I throw and cast until she said---'enough!' Time to leave. We said goodbye to the Point" and time will tell whether it is right for me. It is not yet decision time. On the way back to town, we stopped for lunch at Kawakawa Bay to have the packed lunch Janice had brought. Delicious! Then, on to discover a new Regional Park, just over the hill from Kawakawa Bay. What a 'picture in the painting;' fabulous views over the gulf. When it is finished, if ever such a work of nature is possible, then it will be a real jewel in the crown, of regional parks. We were back in he madness of Auckland before we knew it; the crazy motorway and then---tranquillity again, down at MY bay. The tide was fully in and yes---Perdy was once again playing 'mer-dog,' chasing her ball and the incredible rainbow dolphins! Don't believe me?--=-check out the picture. Go figure. What a wonderful world--if we se let it!

Back to work soon, but Kakamatua did it for Perdy and I today.

I am thinking that the Kakamatua Inlet is my place--just that bit different from my Bay. For starters, it is clean and isolated, with a clean stream running into the horseshoe bay, that faces the notorious Manukau Heads. Once Perdy and I headed through short bush walk, we felt we had entered another world; just a few people with their families----and dogs, strolling along the valley and bay. If you think dogs don't smile, just observe them at this fabulous place and I am dammed sure the answer will a resounding--YES! Today, we walked right to the end of the bay and crossed over the shoreline, that seems so close to the other side of the huge harbour. This is almost its narrowest point, the blue water Chanel probably hiding denizens of the deep. Once on the other side of the bay, we walked along the fresh water stream. By this time, my shoes were hanging around my neck and I was reminded of the fact that this was the closest I had come to a real swim. Hurry up and come back, Doug---we need to take some real dips! For Perdy--this was doggie heaven. She mixed it with a huge, but very young Red Nosed Pit-bull and made sure she was the boss. It was only when the big dog sat on her, which meant Perdy was under water that I saw the jack Russell hissy-fit taking place. All good---no issues and peace was immediate. I trudged along the shallow stream, the water was warm until we came upon slightly deeper pools. Perdy ran, swam, jumped, drank and chased the orange ball--the one she hates to lose. My thoughts strayed to the end of the week---work is just around the corner, but days like this are enough to recharge me, enthuse me and give that balance, so sorely needed to make it through another year. I love this place! I love it even more when I can share it with friends and family.

As part of my obsession------

I try to write at least one blog a day---=yes it is an obsession and I am sure you will agree that there are those that are far worse than mine. This is therefore my blog for what has been a perfect day with friends and family. www.authorneilcoleman.com

New Zealand's navy totally incapable of stopping the fish pirate/criminlas---- or being 'careful?

It seems that the three ships fishing and plundering the Toothfish' stocks near Antarctica are the spawn of criminal elements, possibly connected to Spanish interests. The NZ navy has 'backed off,' preferring to leave the issue to be sorted in the 'courts.' The fact is that our navy does not have the 'oomph' to take these low lifes on! It seems that the Sea Sheppard is going to take them on, putting itself in danger. This is a terrible state of affairs. We must have a navy that is capable of taking on these crooks, because one thing is for sure-----we are going to see more of this sort of activity. NZ is in the spotlight--the message will get out there that it is 'free for all'---'come and get it folks,' because no one (except Sae Sheppard!) Our navy ran out of fuel! What the F was it doing there without support? All power to Sea Sheppard! OK, maybe the law courts may have an effect but a bit of 'direct' action is also needed. If not---a flood gate will have been left open for the pillage of Antarctica!

Solve the world's problems---easy, just read my 2225 blogs!

So I have written 2225 blogs over the last 4 years! Using a very crude guess, that is more then 500 pages---a book indeed; one in which so many topics are covered, from those that a silly, angry, political, sad or WTF! I love writing blogs. Yes, I know many of them contain typos, errors, terrors and outright stupid mistakes, but I make no apologies for that. It is all part of a process whereby I use the theory that 'practice makes'--approaching --oh I cant say perfect, because that would be the lie of the century. Above all I do it--because I can and yes, to push whatever book I am have written. Has it helped? Yes, a bit, but nothing beats the 'professional,' paid for services of using a publicist. However, in a sense, I am my own publicist. I try to make my won opportunities and if there is anything 'trending in the news,' I jump on it, if it has anything that connects to my books, primarily ROSKILL. Some of you may have noticed that if there is an item in the news about Methamphetamine (P) I usually follow it up with a commentary and then link it to my book. That was the advice form one of the publicist. I had sort of figured that out myself. I have also noticed and appreciated the backing , support and comments, links and discussion some of you have entered into. I accept the criticisms and sometimes rebuke for my statements. I don't apologize for them, because I have deliberately 'provoked at times, in order to start a discussion. If that causes 'issues,' then I ask those who have been offended to---look within!. I have changed my mind on issues, simply by reading some of your responses and I think you for that. When I can NOT change my view when presented with the opinion of others, it is time to biff out the keyboard! I have had about 133,000 hits on my blogs and they are all linked to FB and Twitter, so God knows how many people are actually reading on a regular basis. look forward to continuing my 'epic-bog-novel' and invite you to comment and hey---join me. Have fun! www.authorneilcoleman.com

Nigerian Government seems incapable of dealing with Boko Haram.

Without a doubt Boko Haram is running amuck in Northern Nigeria. It seems that the government is either incapable or unwilling to take on this dangerous and barbaric group or both. WHY? Now that the situation is back in the headlines, we are seeing images of total destruction in the north, combined with massive losses of civilian lives. What possible 'electoral' gain does the government see by its lack of effective action? Reports that the BK armed groups are better armed and trained than the forces the government puts up against the terrorist group are very worrying. Does the government have a plan to simply 'cut the north adrift,' and go it alone? That would not of course stop the BK as they have an avowed ain of establishing Sharia Law on all of Nigeria. In the meantime, we see and hear that the Government forces are putting up little effective resistance to BK, leaving civilians in the north feeling unprotected against the kidnappings, murder and destruction of property by BK. The Nigerian Government is reluctant to accept offers of military assistance. Are we missing something here? Perhaps it is a reaction to past 'colonial' experiences. What is certain is that the people are losing confidence in the central government; a situation that does not bode well for the future of the nation state of Nigeria.

Sons of Orpheus---what's going on.

I am not sure what is going on re my unpublished book, Sons of Orpheus. I have been putting up some chapters to see what would happen. I must say that it is in a format that is not pleasing. I was intending to 'fix' that but didn't get around to it. Those of you who have been reading it probably get a little exasperated by the lack of formatting. Most of the hits have come form the USA, so am wondering if it has garnered some support form there. I would dearly like to have it severely edited but I can not afford that or to put t through the self-publishing process. It is a huge book of somewhere around 700 pages. I try to reconcile the situation by claiming that it was part of my 'learning process,' a naïve attempt to enter the world of 'writing,' or as I feel now---story telling.' Of course, if Roskill sold thousands of books, both as a hard-copy version or as an EBook format, the situation could change. I will put up a few more chapters and please---feedback needed. IN the meantime, you know what to do---help me to get the word out there, re Roskill. Yes, they are very different books but here's hoping. It was great to get an order from a NZ distributor the other day for Roskill. Sure --only ten books, but hey---who's complaining? not me! www.authorneilcoleman.com