Letters
Want a weekend or week night away?
Recently we have been exploring trips within the Bay and have been very pleasantly surprised. The first trip was on bicycle to the Sleepy Possum with a great dinner at the Naked Possum. You probably know the Naked Possum, but it was a total surprise for us staying overnight at the Sleepy Possum. It is a new bed and breakfast. The beds are so comfortable and the breakfast has it all. We then biked to the Bainham Store for a coffee and scones before returning to Collingwood (or beyond).
The second trip was out to Westhaven (by car) where we stayed at Wetland View Park (past Mangarakau). First we walked the new Lake Otuhie track which is oh so beautiful. This was followed by a swim at Paturau. On our return to Wetland View Park we were served a three-course dinner in our chalet. You can arrange your own dinner but why would anyone pass up a gourmet dinner? It was beautiful and we didn’t even have to wash the dishes. Such luxury! We had a great sleep that night and the next day did two walks on the property that are part of the history of the region.
These are just two of the many places for a quick getaway. The point of this is when you need to get away from it all, try one of the delightful lodgings right here in Golden Bay. You can even save fuel costs if you enjoy biking. What more do you want?
Christine, Debby, Lelie, Mala and Sonia
Ligar Bay baches
Baches erected during less restrictive times pose headaches for councils, but I would urge TDC to show some real vision over those at Ligar Bay.
Firstly, this road is now wide enough (road being the traditionally anticipated function of road reserve).
Secondly, this beachfront doesn’t need any more reserve area; there’s plenty of reserve and plenty of beach access for all landowners and visitors.
Thirdly, the baches have heritage potential; they represent a dying slice of an iconic New Zealand recreational pastime. I always drive past slowly, soaking up their character, something more reserve won’t provide. (I’m not knocking the reserve area, I just think there’s plenty.)
And finally, have a heart. Surely the fact that it’s legal road isn’t as important as the wellbeing of families who have occupied the sites for 50-odd years? This isn’t a public works issue, we’re not after a new runway.
I consider myself privileged to have had my first three birthdays in one of those baches. I’ll be renting it soon for my family and hope my grandkids can do the same.
Yes you have rules allowing you to bulldoze them, but be very careful, you’d really lose something here.
Paul Harrington
Community health facility
I would like to ask through these pages that the Integrated Health Management Group hold a public meeting at which the full plans for the new facility are put on display and any questions that the community may have are answered.
The Integrated Health Centre plans have changed radically from the plans that were previously on display for public comment. The Ministry of Health sees this project in Golden Bay as an example of its primary health care strategy.
The community is about to be asked to contribute money, skill, labour and materials to the project as well as provide support and maintenance in the long run. If the IMG expects this support, the community must be fully informed and allowed to have its say.
Liza Eastman
A Secondhand Sunday
Secondhand Sunday is a chance to give away any household items you no longer want. You can also collect items you want from others for free. A giant swap! Secondhand Sunday is on 17 April, 9am -1pm. Think of it as a Golden Bay-wide free garage sale – YAY!
In a nutshell – when you register your participation, you will receive a small poster to display your involvement on your letterbox or fence. At 9am on Sunday 17 April, registered folk can put out their clean reusable items on their driveway or beside their letterbox. Anyone can walk, bike or drive around collecting them. One important thing to know is that at 1pm it’s your responsibility (the owner) to remove anything not taken.
TDC is trialling the idea – hopefully it goes so well it will become a regular event in Tasman. Look out for more information. Start sorting out what you want to give away.
Claire Webster, TDC
How to make local tourism prosper?
Considering our lovely summer climate, there is a simple way we could ensure our local tourism industry prospers even more. Declare the whole of Golden Bay clothing optional. Yes, that’s right. Naked tourists and locals everywhere, all summer long. On the streets, in the shops, the beach, wherever. Believe me, they would flock from all over the planet and make Golden Bay famous and unique as the world’s first naturist region. Businesses that welcomed naturists would flourish.
We love it here but let’s face it, the local economy needs more money sloshing around. Nothing would really change except for our mindset. And no one need be naked ‘cos it’s optional.
Peter Finlayson
Fundraising for Japan
On behalf of the Japanese women living in Golden Bay, I would like to thank everyone who expressed their kind words and love since the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
We now would like to help these people deeply affected by this unthinkable event. Today and the next few Fridays we will have a raffle ticket sale, as well as quality goods for sale at the Village Green. Also for the next two Mondays, 28 March and 4 April, we will be at Fresh Choice selling raffle tickets. The great prizes are Chizuko Hoy’s award-winning quilt, a special Japanese dinner for four, a basket full of Japanese goodies and more.
I hope to see you there!
Ryoko Takahashi
