At 395 metres it is certainly long!
Now beside this beautiful beach and footbridge is a school...
I don't think you could ask for a much more perfect location! I wonder if they need a music teacher?
Right beside the beach.
Where do the children have their swimming lessons and water sports?
Right off the footbridge of course!
What could be more perfect? These children are living the life. Not wrapped up in cotton wool in stuffy schools where there are no playgrounds or equipment to play on for fear of 'Health and Safety' like many of the schools I have seen here in England. I remember when I first went looking around the schools for my oldest son when I first came here twenty years ago and I was stunned that in most of the schools there were no climbing frames or play equipment for the children to explore, climb and use their boundless energy during break time. No wonder there are so many problems in schools! I remember quite clearly when our younger son was at school being told by the teacher that he had to stop climbing trees! Surely that is what children do? That is how they learn. I remember climbing trees when I was a child...in fact I have been known to climb them when somewhat older as well.
I would imagine at this school the children are generally learning well and very happy - certainly the children I spoke to were as was their teacher.
Even the headmasters dog joins them for their swimming and boating lessons!
We watched them for a while enjoying themselves and I couldn't imagine a better place to go to school.
My friend.
We walked across the bridge, dawdling and admiring the scenery as we did so.
Returning across the bridge the children were finishing their lesson, running to the changing sheds and then back to class ready to catch their bus home for those that lived further away from the school.
The playing field.
We stopped for an ice-cream. I had a well loved childhood favourite - a Tiptop Jelly Tip, which I very much enjoyed.
Some Oyster Catchers
My friend remembering her dear Aunt and friend - they used to enjoy coming out here for a picnic.
Looking across the bay.
Houses and baches.
For those who don't like a touch of reality you might want to finish here.
On our way out to Whananaki, driving along the quiet country road I saw a Boer goat in the process of giving birth - not wanting to disturb it we decided not to stop, but rather stop on our way back which we did. To our delight she had given birth to two sweet baby kids. The miracle of birth is a wonderful thing.
Now where is the other one?
Calling out to the little one to come to her.
Very attentive
What a cutie!
