When the gale gets tough, the tough get going....

(This post was actually written in early January.)

Yesterday morning started out with drizzle. From then on, both the rain and wind increased and by nightfall, we had a full scale gale going on. It howled and shook the windows all night. This morning, at breakfast, Allie proposed an adventure. She suggested that we refuse to knuckle under to the weather. That we drive to Piha and see what the ocean looked like in a real blow. 

At first, the boys counter-proposed that a day on the couch with their I-pads was just the ticket. They came on board fairly quickly after some parental persuasion. I don't think they really expected that that idea would actually fly. (Worth a shot though) 

About an hour later, we were in the car headed through the gusts and light rain and on our way. 

Come along with us. I have only pictures to show you today. I took, or tried to take, four videos, but the wind was so strong that the videos turned out impossibly shaky. Even with YouTube's camera movement edit, the results would not have been pleasant to watch. 

 Winding through the bush, on our way to Piha. 

 Lion Rock slowly materialises in the distance 

 We loose altitude rapidly and come out of some of the mist. 

 There it is, we're at the beach

There is only one small sand dune between the car park and the beach. We are somewhat protected from the wind here, but Arram wrapped a towel around his bare legs anyway since sand is being blown. 

Looking to the left - Lion Rock 

Looking straight ahead - the Tasman Sea

And wouldn't you know it...While we were on the beach, the Tsunami Siren went off nearby. Fortunately, it was followed by an immediate announcement that this was a test, only a test. Whew!! 

 Looking to the right - Kohunui Bay and Te Waha Point.

 There were quite a few other intrepid adventurers out.

At one point the boys saw a seagull actually flying backwards. It was trying to fly into the wind, but was being carried backwards in relation to the ground by the speed of the wind. 

 The town of Piha

We came, we saw, we conquered the wind and rain. We had had a real adventure and would be home again by noon. 

Well, we would have been home by noon if we hadn't stopped for takeaway fish-n-chips. We went to the Southern Fried Chicken place on Swanson Road for it. What a place that is. The food is great, inexpensive and is presented, by the very old Chinese lady who owns the place, wrapped in a newsprint paper bundle. I love it.  -djf