Summer memories are made of this

By JIM EAGLES


What's your ideal summer break?

Stay at home? That's not a bad idea. Devonport, where I live, is great in summer because everyone else buzzes off. You can almost have the place to yourself.

Head to the Northern Hemisphere for a white Christmas?

I quite like the occasional Christmas in England because it's so different from the festive season in New Zealand. And with snow falling outside you needn't feel quite so guilty about overindulging.

Find a beach and stay put? Like most New Zealanders that's what I've done most of my life. When I was a kid the beach was Waiwera. When we had young children it was Taupo Bay. Now we head for our bach at Kaiaua and enjoy a changing cast of children, grandchildren, great-grandmother, assorted friends and occasional quiet days on our own. Bliss.

So what's your recipe for a great summer? Put it in 50 words or fewer and send to "Summer Break" at Travel@nzherald.co.nz, or Herald Travel section, PO Box 3290, Auckland.

Mercury Energy, sponsor of this year's Coromandel Pohutukawa Festival, will give the writer of the best entry a prize package worth more than $1000, including two tickets to the festival's Jazz Brunch at Puka Park on December 12, two nights' accommodation at the Mercure Grand Puka Park Lodge and a Christmas hamper.

The accommodation must be used from December 11-13 this year and you can't redeem the prize for cash.

The Mercury Energy Pohutukawa Festival opens on November 25 and it's a great introduction to summer, offering a taste of the marvellous food and music, art and craft, sport and leisure the Coromandel region has to offer.

The Festival ends with the Jazz Brunch at Puka Park, where the winner of our competition will dine on a sumptuous lunch surrounded by pohutukawa trees and the sweet sounds of jazz. For more information on the festival visit Pohutukawa Festival.

Competition entries close on November 23 and we will announce the winner in Travel of November 30.