A Communing in Time

Over come by excessive hydration, our planned early start to Day 13 did not get off to an early start. There was a tight time line that we had to meet for our first stop of the day, Hot Water Beach.  The beach has a stream of thermal water bubbling just beneath the surface of the sand. With a little effort and a shovel, you can dig out your own personal sandy hot tub.  This beach is only available a few hours on either side of low tide and disappears during high tide.

Low tide peaked at 6:30 am, add the 90-minute drive and we were going to be cutting it close as we departed our apartment at 8:00 am. The GPS was kind and with no lost time we arrived to find a bit of the beach still available but disappearing quickly. Borrowed shovel in hand, we quickly excavated enough sand to soak our feet with the wave wash slowly climbing up the beach.  

With soothed and wrinkled tootsies, we headed out for a hike to a place, that by its name should bring us closer to God or Mother Nature. 

Cathedral Cove. 

It required a scenic 5-kilometre walk, that really put us into the mood to do some communing.

The view was pretty fantastic but they say it is even prettier when seen by kayak. But those of you who know Nonie will know that could never happen as she believes that kayaks much like ferries are floating deathtraps.  

You have probably noticed that many of our hikes have been into areas that were used as photo shoots for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies.  Well, the cove did not see any hobbits, but was used in the second episode of the Chronicles of Narnia. The cave was used as the entrance for the Pevansie kids to re-enter Narnia. Quick, is my inner nerd showing. 

Cathedral Cove is listed a must see when visiting the Coromandel Peninsula and so gets very busy. Sleeping in, had a domino affect on our early arrival plans and so found the beach crowded which really took the edge off our communing. 

Temperatures were crawling into the 30's with some serious humidity so a swim was in order. Despite the high ambient temperatures the ocean was freakin chilly, so it was a quick in and out. 

The kayaks started to arrive so it was time to leave and look for another spot to commune. 

During our hike in, we had passed a number of trails that led down to other beaches. Down was probably why we found this small beach completely empty.  Our communing was saved.    

We are off to the Shire tomorrow and a short (heehee) visit with some Hobbits.