From one coast to the other because we can!!!

One of the things I love about living in Hamilton is the closeness to everything.  I am pretty sure I have sung the praises of this geographical position before, but I am going to bang on about it again!! So are you ready for a road trip??

On Friday morning I wave envied my hair, layered the clothes, packed my car, and headed to Whangamata on the East Coast.

  Oh yeah, it was a long weekend!!

Such a beautiful day was on offer, but I had to stop to capture the lingering mist at the base of Mt Te Aroha.

My car was full of stock for my sisters shop and more pottery to be displayed.  We sorted this all in good time, ready for the weekend trade.

I was penciled in for two nights at my sisters house where it was warm, and invitingly relaxing.  Clutch sure knows how to chill out on a bean bag!

Dear Febe made the very most of the fire and the sheepskin covered chairs.  My sister and I had a lovely afternoon and evening, but then again, we always do!

We slept in on Saturday morning until 8am which was absolute bliss for me.  Helen was working so I dropped her off at the shop and then went and called in on my favourite places.  I also caught up with my good friend Leonie and her family that were up from Wellington for the weekend.  TOF arrived mid evening to stay the night after a days fishing up the Coromandel, but alas no keepers were caught.  He left the following morning and I went ticky touring around Whangamata.

The Marina was full of boats of all sizes and dreams come true.

Even tho' the tide was low, the back end of the harbour looked peaceful. This is the southern end of Whangamata.

I always go stand on the wharf

a place full of memories of good times spent

fishing with my family and friends.

The sea is always so green

and the view out to Clark Island

is a favourite of mine.

Years ago when having hypnotherapy for anxiety I was asked to visualise a place to go to and this is it. Many times I closed my eyes and thought of my happy place while breathing deep soothing breathes.

 

Whangamata has long golden sanded shores to be enjoyed in any season.  This time of the year is perfect to go let the fresh sea air blow the cobwebs in your brain away.

From Clark Island to the Estuary mouth

is another stretch of golden sand.

Beautiful glimpses in between trees.

Can you see the rope and drift wood swing in the tree?

I imagine many a person has enjoyed that.

The Estuary is at the southern end of Whangamata, and another gorgeous spot to spend time at more so when the tide is full.

The view of the hills to travel over back to my home.

Look,

I can still drive another 491 kilometers!!

I loved every minute of the time I had away at the beach, catching up with my sister and friends.  It is only an hour and a half away from my home so why wouldn't I go spend some time there.

The pets were excited to have me home but I was ditched for the warmth of the heater last night!!

Today the Spare rung and asked if we were going out to Raglan as he was keen to hitch a ride with us and  go for a surf.  So we did.  Raglan is the West Coast so we have been coast to coast in a couple of days.  We left him at the main surf beach and went for a drive.

TOF was happy on the inside!!!

My handbag camera has that Panoramic function so it has been getting a work out of late. But what a view at the top of the hill above the beach. After our drive we arrived back in time to meet the spare in the car park.

Trees grow on a lean,

dudes were out surfing

and life on the west coast

was cruising along at it's own pace.

Low tide at Whale bay exposes the rocks on the coastline.

I didn't get any photos of the Spare surfing as the main beach isn't that good for me, not close enough, but here at Whale Bay it would be easier to get pics.

Monarch butterfly's,

caterpillars and colourful flowers

were still thriving on the shore line.

The lovely spare suggested he buy us lunch back in Raglan

so off we went.

To the wharf for Fish and Chips.

Looking right on the wharf to some budding young fishermen.

Looking left and around the corner to waterside beach homes and the harbour.  Our lunch was divine and before long it was time to head home.

TOF paid for the diesel,

the Spare paid for our lunch

and I paid for the coffee,

a great team effort for sure.

Our kids aren't kids anymore

but I am grateful

that they both still want to

hang with us.

I guess we got something right!!