When you live on an island, you are never far from a beach. I took a walk along Bucklands beach (south eastern Auckland) the other day. It was overcast, calm and warm. It reminded me of all the reasons I love the beach – waves (very small ones created by the passing ferries and boats), sand, sounds and sky. I walked to the end and gazed for a while at Rangitoto (the volcano in the pic above). It was a serene interlude in an otherwise busy, somewhat stressful day and I felt the better for it.