No doubt it does rain a lot in winter.  On many sunny days the clear skies change abruptly and give way to thunderstorms as clouds quickly build up over Mt. Taranaki. This releases buckets of rain!  To quote Des, it sounds like your house is getting power washed!  A water spout became a tornado 3 nights ago and blasted 20 houses a couple of blocks away.  That is apparently very usual.  We are accustomed to the rain, wind, and lightning but not tornados. The newspaper reported that a local Kiwi spent 2 weeks in the U.S. chasing tornados this summer. He never saw one until Monday night when he was driving home from work here in New Plymouth! (no injuries reported by the way) Luckily the sun is out and the Tui birds are calling and making their strange noises again. 

Here are a few more photos of the Walkway.  The scenery is always changing with the tides, swell, and weather.  We’ve enjoyed some absolutely gorgeous days.

Below are notes and artsy photos from Kai:

“Last weekend My Dad, Sam and I hiked up Mt. Paritutu for a morning walk / photo op. Sam arrived at our house around 9:20 am and we headed out soon after.  After jamming to some Watsky on the drive over to the ‘base’ we hopped out and began our 10 minute ascent. We passed several families on the way up and eventually reached the vertical portion of the climb. With as much focus as an early risen kid could muster, I  pulled myself to the top of the ascent. Looking out at several adjacent sugarloaf mountains and Back Beach to the west the, view was incredible. Only in New Zealand can one hike for about 12 minutes and find such an incredible view. At the top we admired the view, contemplated NBA trade rumors, took a quick photo, and headed down. After we climbed down carefully and got into our car, Des suggested we take a look at a couple surf spots. We didn’t refuse. After obsessing over the wave and tide structure for the upcoming hour, we called it a morning. I  had finally worked up an appetite.” -Kai

We can always go to the gym, ride bikes, or surf but Des adds novelty to our outdoor exercise.  Why not run the terraced “bleachers” at the PukeKura Park sports field? As a warm up?  All of them? Sure. Let’s do that.  Kai and I are good solders and besides, inside the park there’s a cafe with ice cream!

Captured below are photos of a  recent stroll along Back Beach and another day of awesome surf conditions.  There are no beginner surf spots here so you have to pay attention and be agile.  

 

Des promises to write a post soon!