It was a beautiful day today – sun shining with temperatures in the high twenties. A perfect day for cruising what can otherwise be a bleak coastline of the South Wairarapa.

It’s been a while since I visited Cape Palliser as the last time we were there it rained, my back was really hurting and on driving home we found out from our prospective neighbours in Gilbert Road that the minx of a developer was hatching a plot which meant we would never be able to get the piece of land we were due to buy. All round it wasn’t the best of days.

The fine weather and different circumstances made the trip today a real pleasure. We had to go hunting for seals as Sarah, my staying from the UK hadn’t seen seals so far on her trip. I’m pleased to say that neither the sun, sea or seals let me down and they put on a real show for Sarah as you can see from this photoblogging.

I know, not sea or seals but the rural icon of NZ taking a stroll down the coast road when my in-laws were visiting and makes this photoblog complete.

As the days get darker and the winds get stronger it’s nice to reflect on our summer this year. In particular the holiday we had in Golden Bay. Bob’s photoblogging shows Ligar Bay in all it’s glory and sums up the sun, the sand and the sangria (well beer and wine actually) we partook on the veranda watching the amazing sunsets.

Kicking back after a hard day doing nothing!

Not a bad view for the end of the day, eh!

At the bottom of the valley there is Tunnel Gully Recreational area. It’s about an hours walk along the Rimutaka Trail to get there and a welcoming picnic area to rest before starting the hike back up the hill.

Bob and Sheila did this walk a week or so ago and took a picture that shows a completely new view – our house with Mike and Andrea’s. Admittedly you need a good telephoto lense or bionic eyesight to see it but thought it was interested neighbourly views.

There is no doubt that we are heading into autumn. The mornings and evenings are getting darker, the wind that bit chillier and the blackberries are out in the lane.

I pottered out to see if I could find some to make a crumble but looks like Bob and Sheila had snaffled them all when they went out for their walk last week. This photo was evidence of their find and the blackberry juice on their lips was the sign that they had partaken of the luscious fruit!