Castlecliff Beach, Whanganui, New Zealand

By Val

@valmnz (17097)

New Zealand

December 29, 2020 9:45pm CST

About once a month a friend and I like to go somewhere different for an outing. Today we went to a nearby city, Whanganui, on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. This is about a 45 minute drive away from the city we live in. The West Coast beaches are not very attractive, with dark sand and, as that is a very windy coast, they are offered covered in driftwood. It's summer here in New Zealand, but the weather for the last few days hasn't been very good. So we decided to make the most of the appearance of sunshine today. First we had lunch at a lovely little cafe called The Yellow House. This has been a favourite of mine for many years. Then we drove to the beach pictured above, Castlecliff Beach. Whilst it may not be the best beach in the area, it was nice to feel the sand between our toes and I paddled at the water's edge. The sea breeze was quite pleasant. In all the outing took about four and a half hours and we both enjoyed it immensely.

15 people like this

15 responses

@RebeccasFarm (89873)

• Arvada, Colorado

30 Dec 20

Oh to be there Val..I would give an arm to be there..there is a reason I am an Ocean

2 people like this

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@RebeccasFarm (89873)

• Arvada, Colorado

30 Dec 20

@valmnz I know I would Val.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

30 Dec 20

You'd love New Zealand then, surrounded by Ocean.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

31 Dec 20

@RebeccasFarm Happy New Year Ocean, 2021 is only five hours away here.

2 people like this

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@DianneN (247186)

• United States

30 Dec 20

That is such a beautiful place. Peaceful and serene. Glad you enjoyed your outing.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

30 Dec 20

Good for the soul!

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

31 Dec 20

@DianneN Happy New Year Dianne, 2021 is only 5 hours away here

2 people like this

@DianneN (247186)

• United States

30 Dec 20

@valmnz We all need it about now.

2 people like this

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@rebelann (112875)

• El Paso, Texas

30 Dec 20

There's so much you can make out of driftwood. A guy in Arizona makes furniture like benches out of driftwood.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

30 Dec 20

Yes, there is. I don't mind these kind of beaches at all.

2 people like this

@rebelann (112875)

• El Paso, Texas

30 Dec 20

It would be fun to try to see what all I could find @valmnz

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (471459)

• Switzerland

30 Dec 20

I am glad you had a great day out Val. I miss eating out, but for the moment our restaurants are in lockdown.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

30 Dec 20

We rae so lucky here Anna, we have the freedom to do things again - for now.

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (471459)

• Switzerland

31 Dec 20

@valmnz You were lucky not to have too many Covid cases. We have 70,000 Italian workers who come here every morning. we have so many cases here.

2 people like this

@Inlemay (17713)

• South Africa

3 Jan 21

any sea breeze is just a pleasure on the face. I look forward to my hubby and I returning to a beach holiday in February to celebrate our 40th Wedding anniversary.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

3 Jan 21

I well remember our 40th. Have fun. It would have been our 50th this year.

2 people like this

@garymarsh6 (23404)

• United Kingdom

1 Jan 21

God willing I will finally get the chance to visit New Zealand but only for three days. Tauranga, Auckland and Bay of Islands in February 2022. I am looking forward to it very much!

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

3 Jan 21

Are you going on a cruise?

1 person likes this

@jstory07 (139742)

• Roseburg, Oregon

30 Dec 20

It is winter here. The beach looks really nice there.

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

30 Dec 20

We are so lucky to not have to drive very far to a beach here in New Zealand.

@jaboUK (64354)

• United Kingdom

31 Dec 20

It's nice to have a friend that you can do things with. I have one too and we go out to lunch once a week, or make lunch for each other in our homes. Sadly haven't been able to do it for a while due to that nasty virus. Glad you were able to get to the sea.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

31 Dec 20

We are so lucky here in new Zealand. keeping my fingers crossed it stays this way.

2 people like this

@Tampa_girl7 (50262)

• United States

31 Dec 20

The water looks breathtaking.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

31 Dec 20

It's not one of our better beaches, but yes, the ocean always looks great.

1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (106397)

• Marion, Ohio

30 Dec 20

I think it looks nice there.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

30 Dec 20

Many NZers prefer our East Coast beaches, but wild suits me :-)

2 people like this

crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39509)

• United States

31 Dec 20

most delighted y'all took 'dvantage 'f such'n went out 'xplorin' the waters 'n beach. e'en better ya got to grab a bite 't one 'f yer favorite lil cafes.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

31 Dec 20

It was a good way to bring this crazy year to a close.

2 people like this

@xFiacre (13035)

• Ireland

30 Dec 20

@valmnz I suppose cafes are what I miss most about lockdown - all the small independent coffee shops are finding things much more difficult that the bland, characterless chains who don't know how to make decent coffee. I haven't been in a cafe since March. The Yellow House sounds just perfect.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

30 Dec 20

We are very lucky here and hoping the current freedom continues.

2 people like this

@Fleura (30404)

• United Kingdom

15 Jan 21

I am jealous - just to be able to go for an outing would be nice!

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

16 Jan 21

We had an early lockdown last year and are grateful for that now.

1 person likes this

@Fleura (30404)

• United Kingdom

16 Jan 21

@valmnz It sometimes seems that your prime minister doesn't put a foot wrong. Unlike ours who mostly opens his mouth to put his foot in it!

1 person likes this

@paigea (36317)

• Canada

30 Dec 20

Sounds and looks lovely.

2 people like this

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

31 Dec 20

Good way to bring the year to a close.

2 people like this

@allknowing (136541)

• India

9 Jan 21

I have forgotten when it was the last time I felt the sand beneath my feet (lol)