Yesterday, Senior Son picked us up in his Chrysler Valiant and we were transported across the hill and down to the beach. For those of you who asked about the car; this version was only made for Australia and New Zealand so it is a wee bit different from the American Plymouth Valiant. His car was built in 1975, and has a 318 V8 motor. A superb ride.
The house he lives in is slightly above one beach, with a ridge up the back which looks back over the entrance to the harbour, where we were yesterday, and down onto another beach.
So we walked up there to get some photos for you. 
This is the ferry that runs from the North Island to the South Island. 
Then we walked down the other side to the beach. 
Very carefully in case we got in trouble. 
Collecting little treasures on the way. 
We took off our shoes, and sloped along the shore like the old beachcombers that we are deep down, breathing deeply of the salty air and exclaiming over and over again, ‘What a glorious day’. As though, by repeating the words, we secured a few more minutes of exquisite sunshine and sea, with the gritty sand exfoliating our tired feet, sandals dangling from loose fingertips, the sound of a lone gull the perfect score. 
My companions for the day. 
Being beside the sea is good … very good. I drink in the sounds and scents and consciously store them in my memory for when I am back on the plains. 
Good morning.
Sorry I am late this morning, but there is no wifi here and I am dependent on the little hidden hotspot in my son’s phone and he does not rise as early as his mother. So I am working quickly while he is in the shower. Shortly he will pop my connection to you into his pocket and go to work. But I shall be back in the morning. Today it is more like the Wellington of old. Windy clouds speeding across the sky. Cardigan weather. But that is ok. We had yesterday.
Have a lovely, lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
58 responses to “Off to the Beach in the Valiant”
Can it get any better than this???? Beautiful ocean.
thank you miss T.. the beach is gorgeous.. c
It is all gorgeous..NZ just looks very clean and fresh! Wish we had some of that here. Sun is out today and in the upper 40’s. 50’s by Saturday but they are calling for rain..otherwise the weather here this week has been wonderful. We have some of that wind here too! The new addition to your house…will it be located on the southeast corner of your house? I am trying to get a visual of it. Going to come out and take a peak when you get home.
yes come out, and yes on the southeast, the footings are in evidently so i will try and get a pic!
Spectacular!
I am turning green with envy. I’m so glad you’re having a wonderful time. Just wish I was there!
Fantastic car and beach 🙂
Morning Mad! c
Thank you so much for sharing the sea with us today.
I knew you would like this post!! SEA sweetie! c
I am truly happy for you and for taking all of us along. Yes, that was a pretty scene we all saw, wasn’t it, group?
aren’t they lovely! c
I feel as if I were there as well — I have that lovely, aired-out feeling in my brain after reading this and enjoying your lovely photos.
I can almost smell the ocean from here. My problem with going to the beach is that I didn’t want to leave! Glad you’ve had such lovely weather.
Our weather has packed it in today but never mind, we have had a fantastic run of blue skies and warmth.. c
Thank you so much, I got to feel the sea lapping at the shore, then move on to the waves slapping the rocks ….and the air…SNIFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF Salty and tangy and well, FRESH!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
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This post makes me so happy. Spectacular views from every direction. Beautiful people. Summer!!! So good for the soul. Soak it all up and bring it back to the plains and your memories will keep you warm all winter. I can feel your joy from here!
Oh, PS, I had a Valiant, my first car when I was in college. A little newer than this one, but a good, solid car.
Beautiful Captures – thanks for sharing the beach – Have a Great One:)
I am enjoying our travels and family very much.
So different from the plains… The light you captured in your images practically dances. I can see the joy in every shot. Seeing this other side of you and the place from whence you came have been so revealing.
So true, the light here is sparkly!.. c
A dream. Everything one can conjure up about the delicious seaside .. the ocean… the beach .. your gorgeous family (not to mention that Valiant) .. you have captured it all Celi. What a wonderful holiday we are all having. V.
Morning Virginia! i am so glad you have all come along! c
For the past two mornings the fog has frozen here in OXON and silvered everything around. I thought that was beautiful and took millions of photos, but then I saw your beach and got all homesick for Vancouver and my beach. Can’t win! 🙂 Hope you have a few more days like yesterday to enjoy.
But that fog is pretty cool, i must pop over to see some shots! c