When we woke this morning it felt like a ‘trippy’ sort of day so we hopped in the car with no plans in mind except that we would head north. First stop was Karitane where we enjoyed an ‘all to ourselves’ walk along the beach. Then we stopped at Waikouaiti for elevenses. On Barry’s first ever trip to New Zealand he spent the summer at Waikouaiti where he was the Youth Hostel Warden. When the hostel closed at 10.00am he’d clean up and then head out for the day exploring the area on foot. As long as he was back by 5.00pm the day was his! We walked down the road to see the hostel, now a private residence, and then returned to the car via footpaths across the Hawksbury Lagoon. The Lagoon is a Wildlife Refuge under the control of the Department of Conservation. We chose the right season to visit with ducklings and cygnets in abundance. The birds on the right are pied stilts.
Our friend Imogen lives in a cottage on an acre of land just outside Waikouaiti. We drove up to her place on the off-chance she was home. We were greeted by dogs – 2, turkeys -2, hens – numerous, and Imogen. She was working on a cantankerous lawnmower so was pleased to walk away from it and show us around. Since our last visit she’s extended her garden, acquired more animals, built bookcases, a wardrobe and extra kitchen shelving.
We checked out her Bellamys at Five purchase which looks perfect on her front verandah. The front verandah gets the morning sun so that’s where breakfast and views over farmland to the east coast are enjoyed. The side verandah is for sunny evening meals and views of Imogen’s large vegetable garden and orchard.
How the world gets bigger
Then we walked up the hill behind Imogen’s property and were rewarded with views right down the coast to Karitane. With Frosty and Lucy bounding ahead of us we headed back down to the cottage for a cuppa before meandering home ending a wonderful ‘trippy’ day.
Lucy heading for home
Poems in the Waiting Room (NZ) 