Murray Blair
5 Favourites on the shore - Murray Blair
This month Prestiege Real Estate’s Murray Blair shares his many favourite things about living here on the Shore.
In 1981 I was transferred to Auckland as a young policeman. In those days it was compulsory to live in the Auckland Central barracks for two years. A carload of young cops used to cross the bridge to play for Takapuna Rugby Club. As soon as I could I drifted to the North Shore flatting and then buying my first home in Northcote. I have lived here ever since.
Prior to this I spent a year at the New Zealand Police College in Trentham living in what was supposed to be temporary accommodation in World War 1. The first 19 years of my life were in Palmerston North.
1. Paper Moon in Mairangi Bay, it’s close to home in Murrays Bay and easy to meet family and friends. I’m more of a coffee shop connoisseur and my friends would laugh if I didn’t mention my favourite coffee shops as they think I spend all my day in them, meeting clients and chatting. A few to mention would be Jam in Takapuna, Tea Total in Milford, Rhythm and Mangiamo Cafes in the Green Gables, Mairangi Bay.
2. In between real estate business you’ll find me watching my daughter play netball for Rangitoto College at Onewa Courts and then on the sideline watching my sons play for the mighty Takapuna Rugby Club!
3. I love the coast between Murrays Bay and Campbells Bay, fun to be had on Murrays Bay wharf and great swimming beaches at Mairangi and Campbells Bays. The beaches and coastline change daily.
4. Going for a jog/walk along the coastal tracks with my wife finishing with a coffee in Mairangi Bay, going to Les Mills, watching a good game of rugby, and of course catching up with the boys at Mac’s Brewbar or Marvel Bar in Takapuna. Start a walk/run at the new Campbells Bay bridge and work your way along the beaches and tracks until you reach Torbay; why not do it as the sunrises over Rangitoto Island.
5. In my younger days I took 18 months leave from the Police force for my OE, one of the places I was really impressed with was Capetown, South Africa, it reminded me of the North Shore with it’s emphasis on the coastline, but it was more wild and rugged. The North Shore has been a great place for Lynn and I to bring up our family and develop a business, I love the casual no tie approach to business and the fact I have got to know so many people. The North Shore is like a village if you are good to it, it will be good to you!
Janet Marshall
