Waikanae Beach – New Year’s Eve.

Summer Series: 2/6 stories.

Do you remember those long hot days on the beach in summertime that went something like this?

Our family, along with another family, were fortunate to be able to stay at a Bach on the foreshore of Waikanae Beach which was literally, 50 steps to the sand. It was a great location and a privilege.

The Bach was named After You, which was gifted to the staff of the Bank of New South Wales by a previous CEO of the bank back in the late 1960’s (I believe).

Yes, it was a typical foreshore Bach which needed repair. It was outdated, but completely in tune with its environment, and instep with those dwellings surrounding it.

Both families knew each other well as we had met in Christchurch at the Upper Riccarton branch where my father was the Bank Manager and Ted Olson was the Branch Accountant.

Time moved on and Ted and Pat, along with their 2 sons – Peter and Grahame moved on to the proud Taranaki town of Patea. Ted was promoted to the Branch Manager around the time of the closure of the meat works. And the Pringles moved back to Wellington in 1978.

Anyhow the families secured After You for the new year break (I think by ballot). There was a certain amount of excitement on the dawn of New Year’s Eve. Us three boys headed down to the beach and noticed that several people had started collecting and stacking up driftwood for bonfires that night. Not to be outdone, we thought we should get involved and build our own stack, which took some effort in the hot sun, but we were determined and focused on getting as much driftwood as possible. Supply lines were getting tight, so we had to travel some distance while the younger Grahame, stood guard over our stash. Meanwhile, Peter and I had come across an old weather-beaten rubber tyre. Excellent fuel for the fire we thought. We secured this and hid it close to our stash in amongst the sand dunes.?

During the collection of driftwood there was a bit of banter going on down on the beach by passer-by’s and we confidentially told them that our bonfire would be the best on the beach that night. From the reactions we got they ‘all’ thought – what do these young fellas know, but this did not dappen our spirits.?

We then back to the Bach to have a rest and eat dinner with the others itching to get back down to the beach and our stash – hoping it was still there in one piece. Time went sooo slowly until we were allowed to go down and get the festivities under way. Yes, we were allowed some beers which clearly were not going to last too far into the evening.

With some help, Peter and I were able to get our bonfire going with a gentle breeze. The beach was alive with several similar bonfires stretching in both directions down the beach with different levels of success. Ours started out well and attracted several people walking along who would come over and spend some time with us and share some of their drinks with us. An excellent atmosphere and great comradery filled the air along with music waffling along. I seem to remember the parents coming down at some stage to check on us and were suitability impressed with our efforts – both bonfire and the people stopping in as they passed by. They then departed and went back to the Bach with the customary ‘don’t stay down here to long and make sure you put the fire out by covering it in 'sand’ to which we replied, ‘will do’.

A bit later in proceedings, we remembered about the tyre hidden in the sand dunes, so the decision was made we might as well use it. As you could imagine it took a while to find it which we rolled onto our diminishing fire. It took a while, but it did ignite and caused quite a bit of black smoke along with an increased fire light which attracted a whole new group of beach walkers with additional supplies that were shared out lavishly. At some stages we had an additional 10 to 20 people around our campfire having a great time.?

A great evening was had by all. Complete strangers getting together around a ‘campfire’ with no issues that plague New Year’s Eve in recent times. No police needed, just people coming together and enjoying each other’s company AND Peter and I provided an outdoor event with no cover charge with the best bonfire on Waikanae Beach.

We got back to the Bach a little worse for wear, but were we proud and a little’ tickled pink’.