Whitecliffs Walk, etc.

So, we are halfway through winter in New Zealand and it's been...great. Kiwi's really don't know how good they have it! Sure, there is lots and lots of rain. But there are also stretches of days of sunshine and balmy temperatures. Last weekend the sky was blue and the sun was out and we wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather so we drove half hour outside of town to do the Whitecliffs beach walk. The first half of the hike is through private farm land, then a bit of a bush walk, followed by the beach. We parked the car and walked 15 minutes down the road to the start of the hike only to be greeted by a sign on a gate that said the walk was closed from July through September for calving. I have an irrational fear of cows and wanted to turn around but Tyler was feeling rebellious and wanted to proceed. Over the gate we went. We lasted about five minutes before we were greeted by 50 cows in the middle of the road. And a farmer who was not impressed we were there. She told us we could continue but we had to walk through the herd of cows to get to the other side. I was also not impressed. We (very anxiously) made our way through the cows and came out the other side unscathed. I have a feeling that won't be our only run-in with cows during our time here! They are everywhere.

The view behind us after we passed the cows.

Walking through the farmland. 

Walking up the steepest hill full of cow dung. Gross.

View from the top!

Tyler taking in the view

Swing bridge! Every good New Zealand hike has at least one.

The only downside of hiking in the winter. Lots of mud. Good thing for hiking boots!

We made it to the beach!

The beach was beautiful. I knew it was going to be nice, but it truly was stunning. We are so lucky to have all of this natural beauty right outside our back door. And you definitely can't do this in the middle of winter back home! The tide was just going out and the black sand was perfect. We had the whole 2.5 km stretch of beach to ourselves. It would be an awesome place to come back to in the summer to pack a picnic and go for a swim. 

Can you see me?

There was even a little waterfall!

A family fishing.

I think Tyler was most excited to come on the hike because I promised him we could go to the brewery down the street after. It's called Mike's Organic Brewery and brews about 10 different types of beer. We of course got sample sizes so we could try them all :) Can't wait to take our friends and family here when they visit! It's a goodie.

Tyler enjoying the sunshine and a beer or two..or three...or four. I drove home :)

One of my favourite things about winter in New Plymouth is the beautiful snowy mountain! Green grass and sunny skies but a snow-filled mountain to look at. That is how I like to experience snow! We drove up the mountain for lunch a few weeks ago but unfortunately it was raining so we didn't get to check out the ski field. I have a feeling it is over my skill level anyways, so Tyler might have to test it out first without me. You have to carry your skis and hike in and there are only tow ropes to the top - not sure if that is my thing. I'm more of a chair-lift, warm lodge kind of skier. For now, I can admire from down here :)

More cows.

My favourite shot! I think they built the bridge here on purpose... 

Bikes, water and mountains!

These sunset pictures are from the beach down the street. I try to take advantage of our location as much as I can and go for a walk or run on the beach whenever it's not raining out. Tyler gets to ride his bike to and from work on the ocean-front pathway. It will sure be hard to leave this behind when our time here is up. So that is what we have been up to. Two more days until we come back home for a visit! We are so looking forward to it as we miss everyone heaps! A few weeks of 20+ temperatures will be a nice change too!