Soaking Up Summer

When your only worry is whether the tide is going to reach your chair you know you're in a good place.

It was another stunning day and fortunately I didn't have work. One of the many perks of being a relief teacher is sometimes you're able to enjoy days off during the week. 

Oakly, Boo and I jumped in the bus to find a beach. Not wanting to travel too far from home (Nelson), we parked along Motueka's foreshore and took a wander..

The water was bath-like and the dogs alternated between exploring and cooling off in the water.

Motueka provides walkers with several seats along the foreshore with million dollar views. If you're walking your dog/s, the council has provided doggy bag dispensers. And unlike some other towns, there are numerous rubbish bins to deposit the deposits!

It would be easy to while away time, sitting here. To the right you look over the bay to the Kina Beach cliffs. And on the left is the Janie Seddon shipwreck. 

Oh, what a fabulous spot to watch a sunrise.

Obviously I was several hours too late to capture the sunrise and despite it not being the best time of the day to take a photo, I couldn't resist.

On our way home we called in to Kina Reserve. Not far from the bus was a fallen tree -  it made the perfect seat to soak up the gorgeous ocean views.

The dogs weren't too keen for another walk, so I turned the fan on and before long they were napping under a cool breeze.

Boo, trying hard to stay awake.

My beautiful boy - Oakly

It seems even seagulls feel sleepy on hot days! This little guy never moved as I walked passed.

It's nice having such lovely places on our doorstep to visit. 

Affordable Real Estate - May Have the Odd Leak!

Traveling about and finding new beaches is one of my favourite past-times. Not only do the dogs love exploring new coastlines, but it also gives me an opportunity to hopefully come across a driftwood hut or tepee.

I'm fascinated with them!

Imagine the fun and hard work that would go into making a hut. The lean-to below was found on the shore of Lake Wanaka at Boundary Creek Camp. The lakeshore was smothered in driftwood of all shapes and sizes, which must have helped when making it. And wow - it had million-dollar views!

I love that these driftwood creations seem to be popping up everywhere. Once when I stopped at Kekerengu (north of Kaikoura), there were several driftwood tepees along the beachfront. It looked like a little tepee village.

Not so long ago, in 2016, some overseas tourists built a pretty impressive driftwood hut on Tahuna Beach. They used driftwood and shells collected from the beach and after about three days an amazing rustic cabin appeared. It attracted a lot of interest. Now, you probably won't believe this, but ... the Nelson City Council said it didn't meet council building requirements for a temporary structure, and taped it off, making it off-limits to the public! However, many locals complained, accusing the council of being PC crazy. Then less than 24 hours later, the council reconsidered their decision and the fence was removed. 

It was the tide that eventually took the hut away (just as the tourists who'd built it, had hoped it would).

Below are a few driftwood creations found on Rarangi Beach. They'd make great shelters on a windy day, although a little drafty, me thinks!  😏

Views over Cloudy Bay