Life's a picture perfect beach
- kiaora8
- Jan 14, 2017
- 3 min read
PART 1
It’s summer time down under right now – yup, while the Northern Hemisphere are experiencing some of the coldest weather on record for their winter, the Southern hemisphere is basking in the glorious golden sunshine of summer! And for many of us, life is a beach during summer!
Whakatāne was the “Sunshine Capital” of New Zealand for 3 years in a row between 2013 and 2015, with 2792 being the most sunshine hours on record for the town in 2013. The town lost its title in 2016 to a South Island rival, the town of Blenheim who had 29 more recorded sunshine hours. It’s been a beautiful summer so far in the Eastern Bay of Plenty with rain falling in the morning or evening when Mother Earth is parched which conveniently waters our lush summer garden.
The summers here have been unpredictable and a stark reminder of the power of nature. The entire district was severely flooded by rain in 2010 when I worked at the Whakatāne District Council as a Customer Service Officer. The flood had a harsh impact on many and because the Whakatāne and districts attract retirees, the elderly were particularly impacted by the devastating effects caused by their homes flooding. Flooding occurred unpredictably in following years here and there, on and off until 2014 but then as it does, the weather changed and the summers have definitely been warmer. La Nina, El Nino, whatever. It’s a great time to actively practice being thankful when you feel #blessed to live the picture perfect beach life with weather that my skin loves. Vitamin D is my friend!
To be honest, I know that the beach is a medicine. Especially when we live “in the bush” with pollen that aggravates my hay-fever/asthma as well as seasonal dermatitis/psoriasis. The salt water is magic, and I always feel healthier when I’m lazing around on the beach, paddling in the waves (which is always possible on the East Coast); waiting for my hubby and boys to get in from a surf, getting my tan on. In late 2014, more so early 2015 I took up photography – fulfilling a lifelong yearning, I purchased an excellent quality Nikon d3200 with a kit lens. I studied Digital Photography through NMIT(a course that I thoroughly recommend for any amateur wanting to improve their skills) and have since purchased another kit quality lens and a glass 50mm, which I’m trying to make my “signature” style lens – although I’m finding that the 55mm-300mm ‘cheaper’ lens is pretty awesome for the photography I’ve been doing lately. The Eastern Bay beaches which are all an easy drive from our home in Ruatoki and are conveniently located for a few hours of summer fun in the sun! They don’t get as good surfable waves as the West Coast beaches (so my hubby says so I guess for a short-boarder) but for family fun, they can’t be beaten.
The photos below have been taken of Eastern Bay of Plenty beaches over the past couple of years since obtaining my camera. I hope you like them.
Stayed tuned to my blog as up next I share some handy hints about the suitability of the beaches for various shore based activities and also share the work of 3 of my favourite local Eastern Bay of Plenty photographers.
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