I will write later about Nina’s 3rd birthday party and the fun she had with family and friends but at the moment I am going to bring to attention something that has happened here in the Bay of Plenty. I am not sure how many overseas people read here but I know in some countries this hasn’t even made the news 
5th of October 2.20am beautiful beautiful spring weather with clear calm seas, Residences of Tauranga, Mount, Papamoa, Maketu and Motiti Islanders to wake up to the news the Rena had some how managed to plant itself on a well know well charted Astrolabe reef . Heavy engine oil spewed out of the ship. It was thought that the oil would reach beaches on the Wednesday but it hit on the Monday. Our beautiful white sandy beaches and beautiful clear blue water was black black black. On Thursday after making muffins to take down to the Papamoa domain to give to those helping clean up the beach I video a wee bit of our paradise
Horrible heart breaking black oil waves crashing in on black beaches and the strong smell of oil like a newly tarred road
People got out in force and clean the beach after each high tide as been, in just a few days our beaches almost look like they had no oil on BUT the ship ( circled in the piccy above) still remains on the reef with approx 1300 tonnes more of that oil on board and the ship after the movement from the tides and storm we had is not far off breaking in half
I know everyone it this area just wishes our beaches were still like this and that we haven’t had to face this disaster, but the community spirit to get out and look after our beaches is amazing
One day they will return to this!
These were taken on the 7th October 2 days after Rena ran a ground ( Nina wanted to go to the beach for her birthday 
)
And the kids on the 8th we went to build sand castles
(Rena is above Seth’s head)
