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”
Such great candid shots!
Morning greg! c
Cecilia, these photos are magnificent and epitomize a trip of great joy and family reunion… what a beautiful day for the beach.. and the statue protecting or blessing the descent to the beach is how I picture NZ… I am off to one of the areas of RSA that is not so popular but is just one of those special places of our country that has a certain beauty that is SA with similar type rock formations like that one on the beach… and a Valiant V8.?? Oh my heart took a jump… the power and growl of that car must be mind blowing… you are obviously enjoying yourself and that is good, and I’ll try to catch up when I can when I get signal… I’m going a bit “deep bush walk about” where cell phones don’t always work…. continue to enjoy and have a great Festive season…
deep bush.. going walkabout.. wow, I look forward to those images, we will miss you while you are gone! Take good care.. c
A gorgeous day indeed…but then every day on the beach is gorgeous in my book. And what a lovely family in such a beautiful place. Sigh. I feel like I’m on vacation seeing your pics. Thanks for sharing!
morning Betsy! c
Heavenly!
🙂 Mandy xo
How wonderfully blue that water is…
Cool car! Such lovely weather, lucky you.
What a glorious reunion with the sea! How you must miss it. I’m so glad for you, that you are making this trip.
I try to get home at least once every two years, it is always a long long time in between.. c
Another place to add to my list of places to visit. I love the ocean. I just absorb the sounds and smells too.
I so understand your need to take in and save up those beach moments for your “real life” back in a land-locked state! Love those beach photos…
I’m finally getting to finish our “vacation!”