I played hooky today from work and chores.  I even left the bassets to their own devices in the barn and headed off for lunch and an afternoon at the coast.  I was visiting a friend who I first met as my coach trainer and then my coach.

She’s an amazing lady who has an insight into life that really chimes with me.  Whilst she has huge self awareness she’s practical and a realist.  No airy fairy crystals or false cheer-leading, she says what she sees or thinks.  Direct is here middle name (not really, but I think you get my point)!

G lives up on the Kapiti coast.  She has a house on the beach front.  The house in the picture is not actually her’s she lives just behind but you can’t see it.  The planning regulations now say that beach houses can’t be seen from the high tide line.  the benefit of this is that you can walk along the beach and not see any of the houses that line the coast.

It was a beautiful afternoon and perfect beach walking weather.  There were people fishing, kayaking and us toddling along the beach chatting and laughing.  It was a really wonderful way to spend an afternoon playing hooky.

Thought you might enjoy some beach pictures that don’t involve basset hounds hooning around.  When you look at these pictures it’s always good to note that there are so many of these types of beaches in New Zealand – wide, deserted and generally free of rubbish.  Lots of driftwood and shells but otherwise as nature intended.

View looking north

On the edge of the dunes – you wouldn’t believe there were rows of houses on the left

I know Fortnum and Mason love the beach so perhaps I’ll take them next time!