today was our second and final day in the Coromandel and started with the girls trying out their new snorkels and flippers in the motel pool.
And of course we couldn’t resist a quick trip to Simpsons beach in the next bay along.
And there on Simpson beach was this fantastic dog sign. not only is the illustration of the dog fantastic, but if you read the small print you are allowed to walk your dog on the beach on the Queen’s birthday. hoorah.
we then drove a windy hour south to see a friend from work in his bach. A bach is a traditional kiwi holiday shack in some fantastic location. And this was the genuine article.
i had expected we’d sit around for a bit and drink tea, but the day turned in to an outdoor adventure theme park.
we did drink tea (‘gumboot’ tea rather than earl grey this time). but then peer pressure ‘forced’ me to get togged up and join Simon and our girls on a kayak voyage.
here’s simon. he’s a lawyer
directly opposite their bach is a giant lagoon (i think that’s what it is). it fills up with sea water as the tide comes in to create this shallow lake which is perfect for swimming and kayaking etc
the girls got on so well that esther went solo in my canoe whilst i stood in the water and waited for them to return
then we went back up to the house before being offered the chance to float down the lake as the tide was now starting to go out. the girls jumped at the chance. jane and i didn’t.
so esther and kezia borrowed wet suites and got togged up.
on the way to the going in point they had a go on some rope swings which whizzed over the water
then they went in to the water with Simon and his wife (who writes scripts for a number of famous kiwi TV shows)
and then the 4 of them swam/floated down the jetty where we met them
then it was time for banana cake and more tea, before heading to the local beach which was totally idyllic. i only took a couple of photos on the beach as i was worried about sand in my bits. i need to work out a strategy for that. once again the girls went back in the sea and spent at least an hour body boarding on some great waves with simon, his wife and their two lads (both a older than esther and kezia)
and then it was time to head back home to auckland where we grabbed fish and chips, and fell in to bed (but not before spending an hour sorting photos for the family blog !)
(Simon has leant the girls the wet suits so i guess there’s going to be plenty more swimming/snorkelling over the next few weeks).