2nd Part of Oneroa

As we explored this rocky beach, we were surprised at how few other people were to be seen. I'd describe our frequency of seeing other beach combers as 'occasional.'  After battling the crowds like we did to arrive here, it was pleasing to note that apparently all of them went elsewhere. 

Jeanne and I continued to simply wander around and relax. 

Here is that arch I showed you last time, taken from a different angle.

What's over here?

Another little tide pool

Look at all that green

Looking up at the trees growing out of the cliff.

It has been a couple of hours since Jeanne fed the ducks bits of half her sandwich. We've been in the sun the whole time and some shade and a rest would be welcome. 

You've probably noticed in a few pictures that Jeanne is sporting a walking pole. I recently bought this pair and we are sharing and testing them for the first time today. 
I have been aware that my balance is not what is used to be. I find that I can still manage on uneven terrain but it takes more attention to do so. And calling some of the places we wander to as 'uneven terrain' is minimising it. A fall onto the kind of rocks we are crossing today would certainly result in badly torn clothing and skin and it could mean breaking something.
We have been very pleased with this purchase. They collapse and can be stored in our backpacks, they're light and it's surprising how just the little bit of stabilization they give us improves our ability to manuever. 
You know, back in our previous lives, I had made quite a number of walking sticks. That's what I was familiar with. Buying these poles seemed just a little too 'trendy' to me, but they are much handier than even the lightest cedar wood. 

There was a clip from Portlandia that I thought of as I was buying this 'gear.' 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3SFqV0hMyo

 Jeanne had made us chicken and cheese sandwiches and brought along her home-canned dill pickles.  We had oranges and a mix of cashews and raisins. Plenty of water. It was a good lunch.

The view from our table toward the sandy side of the beach. This is at about 2pm. and look at how empty it is. I love it. 

After lunch, we climbed the hill behind the beach and found the Oneroa Beach track to follow to the top of the cliff. The view from the top was worth the climb.

Part way up.

A little higher

Almost there

 On top

 Look at this guy. I wondered if he intended to ground his boat on the beach.

 He's still coming, not fast, but steady...

 And look at this. I've never seen this before.

 He could steer the front tire and crossed the beach at a walking pace.  He drove to the top of the beach, turned around and headed back into the Pacific.

We began walking down the track, heading for another part of the beach and look what we saw. This is the back of St. Peter's Catholic Church. 

What a back yard huh?       -djf

--more to come. next stop is