Ōpito Bay

MY EXTENDED FAMILY by Taylor Doyle . May 2022

I’ll start from back when it all began
When my grandma and grandad
Bought a plot of land in 1972.
In a place secluded, far from the city
White beaches, lush forest, it was ever so pretty.

Opito Bay became the place
Where our extended family would grow
And swim, explore, laugh and learn
Where we have all been brought
Together, by Pat and Joe.

The Scott-Woods children would sing
And dance on the upside down boat
And their dad built them rafts
Using plastic bottles to float.

They spent their days as a family,
Exploring the nearby forest tracks
Which took them from Crayfish Bay,
To Red Beach, to Sandy Bay and back.

The children were never shy of friends
They had a crew of their own, which comprised the
Mahoods, Nicholas, Houghtons and Stokes.
The New Years Day sandcastle
Competitions were always a hit, and
The sack race would leave everyone giggling in fits.

These early memories were special,
As countless photo albums show
And these memories would continue
And the family would grow.

When the children grew older, the
House felt much smaller
And so came time for the small
Brown Bach to grow a little bit taller,
To fit in more family, grandchildren galore.

The grandchildren played on the grand Norfolk Pine
They were spoilt with big nets, strings
And pulleys, and ropes to climb.

At Easter they’d search the garden for eggshells taped together,
Decorated by themselves and their grandma,
Who’s drawings were always much better.

Tractor rides down the beach, pipi hunting and
Forest walking, spotting kingfisher holes
Chasing dogs away from dotterels and endlessly talking.

Grandad is full of great stories and
His campfire songs bring us laughter
And as an extended family family
We’d play croquet on the lawn, bowls following short after.

With family living in all corners of the
World, it is special when we can all come together
Re-uniting with hugs, chips and wine, on the deck,
Special mention to Mary and Roger.

With them came the Giles daughters and their children too
Generations of family gathered at the table
Bonding over good stories, and lots of good food.

The dinner time favourite, grandma’s apple crumble
But also cabbage noodle salad
While everyone was eating, there was never a grumble.

If our home at Opito Could talk, it would share many a funny tale
Like when Cyclone Bowler burst it’s window
And four heavy bottoms snapped the swing chair from its rail.

But mostly it’s filled with love, four walls and a roof
Built around a big extended family who serve as love’s proof.
Here we are today, with many more memories to be had
Opito Bay is waiting, our Bach still waving a flag.

And everyone in our extended family
Knows, Opito Bay is a special place
Because it is where we come together,
Where we laugh, and where we feel safe.

The visitors book is open, it’s pages full of guests
These Opito memories we share truly are the best.
So, here’s to you, grandma and grandad,
And all the special memories we have all had with you.

With love always, Taylor.