It's Easter Sunday and seeing as there were no bunnies available to munch on I was up early, first to listen to Arsenal demolish Reading 4-1 and secondly to be ready at first light to hit the local playgrounds in a personal coin shoot.
I set off about 6.45am in a slight drizzle and first up was the Sunkist Bay playground next to the Beachlands boating club. A messy park this morning, littered with all manner of take away remainders, used paper towels and empty drink containers. The bins around about were all overflowing too and it was good to see a Council van arrive to empty them. Must have been a busy day here yesterday. I managed to lift $4.10 out of the bark. Two $2 and a 10 cent piece.
Next up was the park on Beachlands Domain. I visited this park early in January with Garfy and the replenishment here since then seems sparse. Still a single 10 cents was better than a tear tab. I did find four washers, a pop rivet, and two nuts all in very close proximity. A tool kit spill I expect. Another litter laden area though and my clean up efforts nearly filled half an rubbish bin.
So $4.20 so far and home for breakfast before eight. Bacon sandwiches and a coffee settled my tummy and a check that the dogs have not escaped settled my mind.
The third park on the agenda was one of two in the Maraetai Domain which was clean by comparison to the last two, both in rubbish and coins. I left empty handed from this one.
Fourth park on my meticulous agenda was Umupuai Domain. The other side of Maraetai. A strange place for a park. No real houses around but there is a Marae which I suppose might get busy. Weed mat seemed to cover most of the ground under the bark and the signals from the metal pegs were the only ones I got apart from a few rusty bent nails. The cupboard was bare.
Last park on the agenda was the Te Puru Sports Club park. Here I had a modicum of success. The total spending here was $3.40.Two coins each of $1, 50 cents and 20 cents. Playgrounds near sports grounds do seem the most productive. I also found a fairly large medal awarded to the runners up in the Under 8 touch ruby competition, which I assume took place on the adjacent fields. My brother, Ian, is a member so he will try and contact the lad/ladette who lost the medal. Though it could have been thrown away in disgust.
Fourth park on my meticulous agenda was Umupuai Domain. The other side of Maraetai. A strange place for a park. No real houses around but there is a Marae which I suppose might get busy. Weed mat seemed to cover most of the ground under the bark and the signals from the metal pegs were the only ones I got apart from a few rusty bent nails. The cupboard was bare.
Last park on the agenda was the Te Puru Sports Club park. Here I had a modicum of success. The total spending here was $3.40.Two coins each of $1, 50 cents and 20 cents. Playgrounds near sports grounds do seem the most productive. I also found a fairly large medal awarded to the runners up in the Under 8 touch ruby competition, which I assume took place on the adjacent fields. My brother, Ian, is a member so he will try and contact the lad/ladette who lost the medal. Though it could have been thrown away in disgust.
So the days spending came to a grand total of $7.80 hard earned cash.
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| Lost or Tossed? |
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| Park Life |
I think that is it for me today but driving past the Maraetai wharf I did notice how packed the beach was as the Indian summer continued after the few early small showers. So I might tempt myself for a evening wander around. (it didn't happen) But at the moment I'm quite happy to relax. I really fancied a beer this afternoon but my supplies have run out and due to some stupid archaic law we cannot buy beer on Easter Sunday.
I bet a pint of his Dad's special brew was was the first thing Jesus downed when he escaped from that cave they put him in. Probably helped to wash down the creme eggs he would have scoffed.
So my wee holiday comes to a close and I enjoyed my stay here immensely. Lots of wonderful finds and $22.80 in spending. Plus a bit of dog bonding.
See you out there.
