A slow trip

On my way to join my exercise class for lunch at a small cafe beside Ruakaka Surf Beach (we had already done our exercise) I stopped by a small tidal estuary.  It's not usually much to look at but this day at low, low tide I thought it looked quite lovely. I'll have to go back another day when the tide is in by just a little bit more. 

After lunch I headed south to Auckland and was in the mood for appreciating life and meandering.  I explorer a few side roads which lead towards the Kaipara Harbour.  Now I know which roads offer the best view I can do so again on a clearer day.

 

Sunday was one of those beautiful clear days we get in March.  The heat has gone out of the sun but it's still shining strongly.  On my way to the Fish Fry at Waipu Cove I called in to the Waipu River mouth down Hamon Road, always a favourite spot.

The tide was rushing in.

It was high tide at Waipu Cover but still plenty of room on the beach.

Heading home I turned off down Johnston Point Road to have a look at the Waipu River Estuary, a refuge which is the nesting area for New Zealand dotterel, variable oyster catcher and New Zealand fairy tern. The birds were all elsewhere.

Old roads, new roads

The weather map predicted "Calm" over the whole country for Sunday.  That's rather unusual but calm it certainly was in this neck of the woods.  The sun was shining, not a breath of wind.  

I set out without a plan, just an idea to return to where I'd been the day before to take photos of the cattle I showed yesterday.  By the way, they are white galloway x friesian.  The friend who had hosted our get together on Saturday found out for me. I thought perhaps I'd explore a road I haven't travelled in years.  But the car was pointing towards the coast, so that's the way I went.

Remember the movie "The gods must be crazy"?  I thought about that coke bottle when I saw this one.  I refused to let the sight of it upset my day although I wasn't very happy about seeing it there.  The only blight on the peaceful scene at the Waipu Boat & Fishing Club.

The tide was very, very low and appeared to be standing still.  I don't know how many photos I've taken of Waipu River mouth at the end of Hamon Road (one of them is my header at the moment) but I don't think I've ever seen so much sand there.

Just a bit further down the road I decided to venture down Johnson Point Road to the Wildlife Refuge.  It years since I last did so.  I think the wildlife was elsewhere, although there were a few ducks off in the distance. 

While I was busy tripping up and down sideroads, I thought I might as well venture up McLean Road as well, to capture a couple of shots of Sail Rock (to the left of the next image) and the Hen and Chicks Islands.

Eventually I made it to Mangawhai and visited friends from way back.  I'll post a few shots from there tomorrow.