On the weekend we took the tent and went camping at Urenui beach on the west coast approx. 30kms north of New Plymouth. We went with my daughter and her partner, and their friends.
I haven't been to this particular beach before. It's a typical west coast beach. Black sand that gets extra hot in the heat of the day. Loads of driftwood, most washed up as a result of flooding or storms.
The northern end of the beach was beautiful and sandy, the other end was a mass of stones, very hard to walk over and even harder to scramble over when trying to get out of the pounding surf!
After swimming for several hours, we had worked up quite an appetite. It was lovely to see the younger ones take over the cooking of tea. We had bbq sausages, steak, bacon, kebabs, potatoes, onions, garlic bread and salads. Beautiful!
The early evening was perfect for a spot of fishing. We didn't catch anything, but it was fun trying!
It was also fun to watch the seagulls.
And explore the rocks and pools when the tide went out.
This partial cave is full of water at high tide.
Mmmmm, shame they were all too small to collect and eat!
Looking back toward the beach at low tide. It pays to know your tide times, so you know how much of a window you have between the tide turning. Once it starts to come in again, it comes in mighty quickly. The changing tides can be very dangerous if you forget about them.
The camp ground consisted of lots of caravans, tents, and quite a number of these privately owned baches. They were very odd. It also had a boat club, and a golf club on either side of it. We were too busy swimming to do much else!
A lovely relaxing sunny summer weekend!
Hope you all had an enjoyable weekend too!
Carole :)
18 comments:
Looks like a great weekend. Thanks for the photos.
West coast beaches in the mid latitudes are great, I have to agree - I love the time we have spent on Tasmanian west coast beaches, as well as the ones "down the Channel" as Hobartians say - in between Bruny Island and the 'mainland' of Tasmania, an island off an island off an island.
Black ironsand west coast beaches are very familiar to me. As a child I (we) visited them often and when first married the part of the farm we lived on was right on the coast( in South Taranaki ) and we had our own cliffs; just like those in your photo, with beach at the bottom. The sea and wind was often very rough. We found lots of treasure washed up on our beach ( glass fishing floats and even a boat twice ).I
What a delightful weekend. There's not much better than spending time with those we love, particularly surrounded by a beautiful landscape and fresh air.
Amazing photos and what a wonderful family weekend :o) How beautiful is the view from that cave?
Hi, wow, love the beach photos, I've never seen black sand at a beach, in real life anyway. We have boring old white/yellow sand here!! Must be amazing to swim in, oh to be allowed to swim in the sea during summer.. sorry this is turning into a whingey note, don't mean to whinge.. Really I'm just jealous!!
hugs
Annette
that looks like a perfect weekend. Huby doesn't like camping but we get to go away on boats - camping on the water !
I've never seen sand like that!
what a lovely trip, thanks for taking me along! I don't think I have ever been to a black sand beach, I bet it gets QUITE hot!!
Beautiful post Carole, I feel a tingling in my toes...
Thanks for sharing your wonderful outing! What gorgeous pictures!
ah warm (hot) sand, sun and gorgeous blue water!
the driftwood and rocks sound very entertaining too!
Lovely thanks for the tour
your pic of the cave really speaks to me ... perhaps it's the natural arch shape or the way it seems to beckon me in!
any seashells?
oxo
other than the mussels ;)
Beautiful weekend- beautiful photos. I agree with others...the shot from the cave is incredible.
Hello! Oh just love your photos! I've only spent time in the north island of NZ - and it was fabulous! I'm on the west coast of Oz - but my bestie just left here to live in Invercargill - so you're lucky to have her!!! Love your blog - i'll be back for sure!
How lovely to be able to get away to somewhere so nice for a weekend break - smashing! The BBQ sounded yummy!
Barbara :)
Fantastic images I so look forward to holidays.x
Great BBQ Carole, Sounded more like a banquet. Great pics too. I have only ever seen a west coast beach that calm once before. You've almost persuaded me!!!!! I personally am an east coaster. But I forgive you LOL I too love rock pools, shells and driftwood.
it looks like a great time.....the pictures are all great......
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