Winter 2020

June-October 2020

With lockdowns left right and centre, and in the midst of winter, the next few months passed with very little activity from us.

Other than cosy nights in, we did manage to get the odd trip out and about. We took a hike at Long Bay up around to Granny's Bay, which was wonderfully scenic and I highly recommend.

We took a day trip to Piha, the epic west coast beach known for its scenery. 

We packed a small lunch and began our trip. The drive itself, while beautiful, led up some very narrow and windy roads and Ben did his best not to curse at cars and cyclists cutting over into the lane. 

Upon arriving to the beach, it was so windy! That didn't stop us though, we huddled in our jackets and had the beach all to ourselves. 

We also hiked out around Shakespeare, another awesome area for walks and views. I fondly remember sending videos to friends while the wind was blowing us about and also aww-ing at all the baby lambs (although I drew the line at Ben bringing one home with us, cute as they were).

Before we knew it, spring had arrived and with it our neighbourhood blossomed - literally. We would often walk (and sometimes jog) down the main street which in springtime was particularly beautiful. Walks have always been a wonderful thing for me as an adult, and especially within mine and Ben's relationship. It's a time for us to de-stress, having deeper and more meaningful conversation and just take the time to really live in the moment and appreciate that you aren't working.

It was a welcome change from dreary winter, however with it came the heat. We loved our little apartment, but summer equipped it was not. 

Unfortunately it had no heatpump or any kind of air conditioning, and double glazed windows and full sun left us melting. We resorted to pulling our couch outside for fresh air picnics looking out to the street below and coming up with funny theoretical stories about husbands rushing home to their wives.