Another weekend, another beach

I  enjoyed this stunning view over the weekend visiting friends who live by the beach that featured in the movie The Piano. 

Great expanse of black sand (sore to walk on with bare feet during the day)

And glorious sunsets

And another friendly dog - Poppy was ever hopefully that someone would throw her ball

Relaxing at Thames

I  keep being told the summer in NZ has been poorly but I continue to enjoy lovely sunshine with the only rain on the morning I was on the bus back to Auckland.

With the schools back I enjoyed a lovely paddle on a popular beach which would have been full the week before

And some fantastic vistas as we drove over the hills of  Coromandel for lunch at a mussels restaurant attached to a mussels farm  - yum.

I  was intrigued to see lots of rainbow painting around Thames  - the result of a gift of paint to local schools and community groups 

And of course I found another great spot to relax 

At the beach

After the farm I  had 2 glorious sunny days at the beach - paddling, walking the length of the 3km sandy beach, collecting shells, people watching.

And sampling the local ice-cream- watermelon sorbet delicious and refreshing 

Up on the farm

I've been enjoying the rolling countryside North of Auckland for the last few days visiting friends who live on a big cattle farm there.  I made friends with the adorable cattle dog, Lou.

And I made good use of the covered table area in the garden to enjoy a cuppa and a read 

Next stop - the beach and a forecast of sun