I have been exploring the area around where Jim and I have our Auckland bolt-hole and where we hope to retire if and when we can afford to. It is on the coast, along the Tamaki estuary and there are numerous bush and beach walks in the immediate vicinity. It is another perfect summer’s day today so I walked along the beach right to the end of the Glendowie spit, which you can only do when the tide is out, as it was this morning. From the beach I got this splendid view of Brown’s Island, which is the nearest island in the Hauraki Gulf to this part of the coast. One day we’ll kayak out there on the outgoing tide, fish for our dinner and then paddle back in with the incoming tide to assist us. It’s a lovely dream!