A Hint of Summer

Yesterday dawned sunny, warm and looked very much like summer. After several weeks of false starts to this most special of all seasons I had a good feeling about the day. The fact that there were no clouds, no wind and the weather forecast predicted fine weather all indicated that this could be the day to venture into summer 'stuff'.

I took the plunge, did the household chores, visited the local school Crafts market and then decided that this was the day Jack and I would go to Ocean Beach. First time for both. Quite daunting really. For me - because I actually didn't know where I was going and, for Jack, because he was actually leaving the property.

You know how it is when you are going somewhere you haven't been before - it seems to take forever to get there. This was no exception. We wended our way through the rural countryside heading east because that's where the coast is and, presumably, the beach. Unlike other coastlines that I have lived on there was no real hint that the ocean was coming up. You know, things like seabirds, other cars with beach stuff hanging out of them or even the sea itself. All I saw was paddocks, paddocks and more paddocks. To make it a little more intimidating the roads were windy and, from my previous experience with Jack, its not a good idea to go too fast on windy roads. Takes forever to get that vomit smell from the car seats! But, my patience was rewarded and we came to the crest of a hill only to see the most magnificent shoreline below us. And I mean below us. You'd think I would have been thrilled to get there without getting lost and both of us in one piece. Well, there was one last obstacle. The road down to the beach. Narrow, winding and with no fencing on the outside. Furthermore descending cars had to give way to ascending cars. That was me!!! Came round a corner and there's a 4WD coming up the hill. Panic set in briefly but we all breathed in and we made it.

Unlike big city beaches parking was no problem. Jack, with his usual enthusiasm leaped out of the car and commenced dragging me toward the beach. It was funny to watch his reaction when he reached the sand - a sort of 'this weird but nice feeling' look. Not daunted he plunged on. I quickly read the sign about picking up doggy do-dos if they occurred and naturally, being unprepared, that's the first thing Jack decided he would do when he was in full view of the public. Let me tell you - not on my watch. It must have been quite a spectacle watching a woman hurriedly drag a dog down the beach while he was in the crouching, concentrating position. I won that argument and he didn't leave his calling card.

I took him to the water's edge - now that was a little scary for the wee boy. And for me! The water was freezing. We both put on a brave face and scooted back out of the small waves. Jack continued to smell EVERY footprint in the sand for the entire time we were on the beach but it was a great day. You just have to sit back and realize how lucky we are in New Zealand to have such pristine coast line available to everyone and enjoyed by all without any cost or inconvenience. After about an hour of sniffing his way along the extensive length of this beach we returned to the car. This time, in front of the crowd, he decided to whine and bark at the other dogs so, there I was again, dragging a dog kicking and yelling to the car. I am sure it's a sight a lot of the locals won't forget for a while.

On the way back home I stopped at The Trading Post. This quaint cafe, come furniture maker, come cowhide reseller made a truly great coffee. The woman running the cafe was really friendly and even got a bowl of water for Jack who was seriously panting at this stage. I would recommend her spot to any traveller to Ocean Beach. Beautiful hand made New Zealand furniture is the bonus to the creamy coffee and delectable snacks.

THE BEST...........The views, just the stunning vista from the hilltop. Ohh - and the great coffee at the Trading Post.

THE WORST.......Driving down the narrow steep road to the beach. Shades of a very frightening experience I once had in Queenstown when I was, in theory, going to drive to Bungy Jump at Skippers Canyon. The road was just as narrow and just as winding.

I AM LEARNING......People who made the roads in rural New Zealand were obviously bored with job so they put corners in just to keep themselves amused. Either that or they were paid by the kilometre.