I am sending you this message from the East Coast of the North Island, New Zealand.
The children (who are no longer children) have rented a second cottage on the edge of a cliff just around the beach-bend from Castle Point. We have two glorious nights here before we go through the hills and into Wellington and join the big city dwellers for more festivities. The children and I like to rent houses as we travel. We get to visit the most amazing places and we have our own kitchen. Having a kitchen saves piles of money when you are travelling and being able to just spend days in one place means you get a proper holiday. And I do love exploring the country of my birth at a leisurely pace.
There is no internet connection out here. So I am sending using a hot spot from my Daughter’s phone. And the connection is very inclement. But I am grateful.
Chin ups with drift wood. Beach games.
We found the remnants of a farm building.

I guess for feeding and watering cattle.
A whole world of farmers use baling twine for numerous little jobs.
You can see our little cottage above the old farm building. Sublime. Beautifully designed. If you want a wee holiday far away from it all and set in farmland overlooking the Pacific (and who wouldn’t) – this place is called Parrydise, on Otahome Beach. Perfectly designed spaces for a beach holiday.
Bring your suntan lotion. Actually bring everything. This is at the end of a very long winding gravel road.
No popping out for milk.
I am slowly feeling better – food poisoning is an excellent weight loss program.
Now, back to the beach!
Are you enjoying New Zealand so far?
All my love,
celi

















47 responses to “Play on the beach”
Love our trip, sorry about the food poison !!
On a funny note–To get to your Blog all I have to do on my laptop is inter “T” and the link pops up.
same here!!.. c
More, please. I want to pack my bags, and fly.
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That’s a lovely place to be feeling better 🙂
Apart from the beach, your scenes are very much like Skye – even the twine holding everything together!!!
Christine
Incredible pictures – thank you for taking time and trouble to post and letting us share your holiday!
I enjoyed my coffee on the beach this morning. Just lovely, relax enjoy and I hope you feel better.
Lori
Just perfect! Thanks for keeping us in the loop.
I have friends in Auckland area your photos remind me of their offer to visit with them. Stay safe over there xo
Sign me on for a holiday there; it looks so relaxing, uncommercial and unspoiled. How refreshing!
What glorious photos! The joy in their faces makes me smile.
Well, I’m slowly trying to catch up with your holiday, (been hell round here-except for a lovely weekend), and I see you’re making the absolute best of it Celi. Sorry to read you were down with food poisoning. Ugh. I got that in Venice from a piece of sea food and missed a couple days. But bounced back as you are bouncing back. Have the best time ever and take loads more photos. 😀
[…] from the kitchens garden and used with permission and poem written to prompt: Red Wolf Poems “Playing on a Deserted […]
Can’t imagine a more ideal spot. Bet even the sounds are wonderful. (Sleeeeeep. Rest. Feeeeel warmth and wellness!)
Love the first picture of couple on beach with tall forked stick. You really are a story illustrators as well as a writer.
Take care now
A vacant beach. Peace beyond words. Good to hear you are feeling better.
Torrential rain is pounding on my roof in Northern Ireland, so I am so glad to escape to New Zealand with you. I brought my factor 50, a walk on that beach is just what I need right now.