Sheree's Magical Birthday at Mimiwhangata

Mimiwhangata is one of Sheree’s favourite spots in New Zealand. We have been holidaying there for many years and always look forward to our week at ‘the beach’, so it was only fitting that when it came to a special birthday we should book out all the accommodation and invite our friends to find out why.

We knew that once people found Mimiwhangata they would feel the same as us about it. What’s not to like! Beautiful white sandy beaches, great bush and beach walks, good MTB riding, a Frisbee Golf course and some of the best land based fishing in Northland.

We decided to ask Sheree’s Dad Brian if he would come up and put down a hangi, with the help of the rest of her family, they agreed and from the look on everyone’s faces on the Saturday evening every one enjoyed it.

Fresh pork and lamb from Brenda and Marks farm, venison from Brian’s trip to the back blocks, and chickens [from the rest-stop on Shedaways Hill I think] Not to mention the corn on the cob, kumara, pumpkin, potato and cabbage from the Sagar gardens.
Thanks to all involved. Brian, Cathy, Brenda, Mark, Kenny and Gloria. The Saturday night meal was a highlight.

Thanks also to Chris the DOC Ranger and his wife Nadine and boys Jo, Paul and Ben who have become good friends over the years we’ve been visiting them in their Northland hideaway, and of course thanks to all our friends who joined us for Sheree’s BIG 40 at Mimiwhangata.

Please enjoy these snaps we got during the weekend. We do have high resolution versions available should you wish to print or the likes...

 
The Man - The sun has hardly had a chance to poke its head over the horizon and Brian already has lunch sussed for everyone.

Brian [Poppa] Sager the master of cooking under ground directs the process of putting down a hangi, under the watchful eye of Mark, Kenny, Brenda and Ranger Chris and son Jo. Bob has no idea of what he’s doing.

Ya do it like this! Brian keen to pass on the skills of Maori cooking, His truck in the background came loaded with a meter of Tee tree and the special hangi rocks all the way from Warkworth.

A layer of Tee tree and a layer of rocks! You’ve got to get it right to get the rocks white hot to cook on. Mark, Brenda and Kenny have done this before.

Did anyone bring a match? Brenda pops one more rock on the top and we’re ready to start the 3 hour oven heating process.

It’s always been this way, the boys tend the fire and Liz and Cathy prepare the vegies.

Do ya think we’ll have enough? Brenda and Sheree pack the hangi baskets. Corn out of a hangi is just the best.

Yo Bro! - Matt sports the tatt inspired from his visit to our good mate Arthur in Holland whilst keeping Toby under control.

A classic Northland beach. While the hangi cooked the crew explore the peninsula. This is the view from the rocks above the camp ground.

Ready to cook! The rocks are white hot and the food baskets are lowered into the pit and covered with banana palm leaves. The hired labour under the direction of hangi experts Kenny and Mark.

The ‘hangi master’ takes over. Brian covers the baskets with wet canvas in preparation to close the pit in for cooking. Best you let someone who knows what they’re doing do this bit as ya really don’t want dirt in your dinner.

Cover with dirt and set the timer for 4 hours. The crew cover the hangi while Bob does his best to stop Brian’s gumboots from melting in the hot embers.

Job well done! Sheree’s brother Kenny the painter [bet ya never guessed] takes a break while we watch for steam to rise from the hangi pit.

Shit! I hope it’s cooked! Brian thinks this every time a hangi comes up, I don’t know why, he’s never had a dud yet and he’s done zillions. Four hours on high and hungry guests are back at the wool shed as the hangi comes out of the ground and the covers come off.

The aroma is fantastic, Brenda and Kenny grab the last basket from the pit.

I want that piece there! ‘Big Bob’ has spotted some Venison amongst the Pork, Lamb and chickens.

The feast is ready! Mark and Bob carve the meat [talk about tender] as the birthday girl and her sister Brenda arrange the vegies.

Kids Korner - Hangis are great! Especially with a bit of soft drink!.

Helmink Hangout - Karol makes sure everyone is well fed whilst John 'The Beast' fuels up for his next 400km jog.

Brian husks the corn. If you’ve never had corn out of a hangi you don’t know what you’re missing, it’s just the best

There was certainly enough food! 35 people have been served and the baskets are still bursting with superb hangi cooked food.

Check out those finger nails! Sheree’s mum Gloria and the kids. Sheree, Brenda and Kenny.

God this is good! Bob, Cathy, Sheree and Mark enjoy the superb food from the ground.

“What do ya want a picture of me for?” Sheree gets a rare picture taken with her photo shy Dad and Mum.

"I'm Not One For A Speech, But..." - Bob thanks everyone for coming along for the evening festivities in the lodge.


Sheree prepares for the 40 year blow job! Need I say more?

I Now Pronounce this Meeting of the Cake Appreciation Club Open - Matt, Bridget and Cam leap forward at the first sign of icing, chocolate and sugar.

The Gentil / Sager rent a crowd. Matt, Bob, Toby, Sheree, Brenda, Kenny, Gloria, Brian, Cathy and Ashley.

The Sager kids. Kenny, Sheree and Brenda.


A paddle in paradise. Bob and Liz back from a couple of hours exploring the Mimiwhangata coastline in sea kayaks.   

A Late Scratching - With the Gentil's any holiday means a round or two of disc golf. And what better place than Mimiwhangata. Bob and Matt enjoy the vista from the 17th tee high above the lodge.

The Fourth - Its as if he's been doing it all his life - Bob expertly drives on the 4th, over the beach and around a grassy knoll.

Feeding the Horseys - Brave Bridget is at one with the equine world, feeding Mr Ed.

Mummy and Bridget Go Fishing - With the help of Daddy, Mummy and Bridget wait for the Big One.

Cam and Mummy - Enjoying the sun at Mimiwhangata.

FisherFriends - Bridget shows Gabb how to do it right - fishing at Mimiwhangata.

Wish You Were Here - As the crew assembled on the beach for another great day at Mimiwhangata, no one could think of a better place to be.

Expert FisherGabb - Some people think all he can do is build websites, but within minutes, FisherGabb showed he could land the big ones. Or is the line still connected to Serf's board...?

Stopping For A Mimi - See Bob. Bob is happy. Bob is looking down at Mimiwhangata Bay. Bob has a disc. Bob is relieved. Bob stopped for a mimi.

What A View! - Soon-to-be globetrotter Josh fires a great drive on the Mimiwhangata 6th watched by Deb and Mum in the distance and Dean and Lynette on the side.

Man With Fish - Natural fisherman Dave Serf has been know to catch a fish or two in is days. And then fire them up in his little portable smoker. But this was to be the challenge of his career: teaching Gabb how to fish with patience!

Matt Attack - By the ninth, Matt had shown great progress in his disc golf game with some fine drives and Gabb-like aggression on the apporach.

Too Big - That's what some people were saying about the swell at Mimiwhangata. But it was all in a day's play for long-time waveman Dave Serf.

Sneak Preview - No matter where you were on the pennisula, the view was magnificent.

Got It Sussed - "We don't need no adults!" was the cry from brother and sister and best friends Cam and Bridget. Here Cam hauls in their 8th catch of the day: Daddy!

O2B MTB Fishing - Always one to combine sports, Gabb managed to mix fishing with disc golf with mountainbiking. It was all looking good until he tried to berm it up in the surf. We can see his bike mechanic asking how the strange seaweed looking material got into his cranks!

Lay That Bait - Serf points out and expertly identifies the horizon.

Golfin' At Mimiwhangata - Cooler than an icepack, Dave Serf shoots birdie on the 5th.

Family Fun - Muffins, chippies and sunshine at Mimiwhangata Beach with Serf, Taylor, Matt, Mum1 (Brenda), Bridget, Mum2 (Kath) and Cam.

The Reel Life - Ah, this is what it's all about...

The Real Birthday - And on the Tuesday, the Gentils and Helminks gathered to celebrate Sheree's actual birthday and reminisce of the previous great weekend spent with family and friends at Mimiwhangata.
Another Freaky Styley Family Production.