Showers and Rainbows

The view from our deck is so captivating that we have done little but enjoy it this week. Late one afternoon, I had retreated indoors due to some passing rainshowers, and was reading on the couch. Luckily, I happened to glance up in time to see this magnificent rainbow reflecting in the wet estuary sand. The effect was fleeting, but magical!

Another afternoon I took advantage of the low tide and went for a walk around the point towards the harbour. As I came back around the point to our usually deserted beach, I surprised a young woman of about 14 years apparently practicing ballet postures while balanced on the rocks on the edge of the shore. She looked so graceful and dreamy; I was so sorry when she realized she was being observed and hurried off around the corner, obviously embarrassed. She reminded me vividly of myself at that awkward age, somewhat solitary, living mostly in unlikely daydreams. I surreptitiously took a snap of her just before she disappeared, and subsequently made a pastel painting of it to remind me of the moment.

Another day the sky was clear at sunset (now about 6 p.m.--it is truly late fall here despite the continuing warmth), so we drove the few minutes to reach the 'scenic lookout' near the local golf course, a high point that takes in a 360 degree panorama, and were rewarded with a gorgeous show.

Yesterday (Sunday) we awoke to a brilliantly sunny day that seemed to give the lie to the weatherman's dire predictions for heavy rain, and decided to drive a bit north to the town of Whangarei, about 50 minutes' drive. Whangarei has the usual collection of the box stores we have come to expect in New Zealand, and we made a quick stop in the Stationery Warehouse for a restock of paints, canvas etc., and the Countdown grocery for the De Winkel prune and orange yogourt we are now addicted to, and then left the commercial area behind and headed to the harbour. The 'town basin,' at the head of the estuary, is an eclectic mix of Victorian gingerbread and very contemporary buildings, as you can see, and is charming.

It was hopping with people, no doubt due to the expectation of rain, and we enjoyed browsing through the shops and galleries, and viewing the many, many yachts moored alongside. Frank especially appreciated the joinery on the deck of this one.

Just as we decided to head into Reva's restaurant for lunch, the forecast rain showers arrived, but we nevertheless had a delicious lunch of gourmet pizza under the canopy of their terrace.

By the time we were done, so was the rain, and we drove back to Mangawhai in sunshine, along roads that hugged the sea for most of the way. It's a tough life, but we are doing our best to squeeze every atom of enjoyment out of every day!