After the storm ….

Major problems with internet have prevented me posting anything for the last few days - so I’m now trying to catch up! 

We awake to find the wind has calmed and the rain has become no more than an intermittent drizzle; we can even see the line between sea and sky beyond our forest view. Things are definitely looking up. 

Out two day Coromandel adventure has been reduced to one by Hale, and its aftermath means that our options for exploring are limited; Coromandel is inaccessible by either route due to closures, so any thoughts of heading further north are out of the question.  

To be honest, whilst we’d have loved to fulfil all our plans for this beautiful area, there is still plenty on our list, and just the fact that we can get out and about is compensation enough. 

Driving back down into Whitiango, we see the remnants of the storm. Sandbanked defences remain, but gardens are flooded, and debris strewn along the roads and coastal grasslands. Locals are out clearing up, or just walking to survey the scene, expressions of wonder or bewilderment on faces just glad to have come through the worst. Judging by the force of the waves still pounding the shore of Buffalo Beach, yesterday’s storm must have been terrifying. 

Spray rises high over the shore, waves pounding down upon each other with an almost explosive force unlike the forceful roll of normal breakers. We park to view the scene, a local asking me if I’ve seen the flooding by the sailing club, then putting her arm round me in sympathy when I tell her we’re not locals but on holiday! 

We plan to visit the beaches further down the coast, but checking tide times suggests a later outing will be more productive so decide to take the passenger ferry across the harbour to Whitianga Rock Scenic Reserve, watching the explosive power of the sea through agapanthus fringed paths before pausing for a break in a now muddy tea garden. 

We return to our car to travel around the harbour inlet to the famous Hot Water Beach, roads flooded in places but passable with care. There is water everywhere. 

The draw of Hot Water Beach, as many blippers know, is being able to dig down into the sand to see the hole fill with - as the name suggests - hot water. And so it was today, as people trudged across the beach from the car park, first tentatively negotiating a fast-flowing stream. We follow them, but for us, it’s the absolutely stunning surf that’s taken our attention, and now the sun is shining, the turquoise colours are just gorgeous. Huge plumes of spindrift rise from mighty breakers, high into the air. Small wonder that the beach is officially closed - though teams of ridiculously young looking lifeguards patrol the beach incase anyone ignores the instructions not to swim. We’re almost caught out ourselves, as skirting a rock to access further along the beach, a huge wave unexpectedly rises up the beach. Suddenly, we’re thigh deep in water, thrust off-balance by it’s force, me holding my camera high and struggling to keep upright. 

And as for digging - we have no spades, and the shop which rents them out is closed. Still, many have brought their own or dig down with their hands, sadly no one finding liquid warmth. Possibly the tide is not far enough out, but we suspect the exceptional weather conditions have worked against this natural phenomenon. 

I could stand watching these waves for ever - and photographing them of course - but next stop is Cathedral Cove. We know a walk is needed, but it’s frustrating to find the car park closed for the summer season (too many visitors presumably) and the shuttle is not running as here too the beach is officially closed due to high seas. The only way to get there is the 75 minute walk from Hahai beach - just about at my current limits. But as it’s the only way to get there, off we go. I’m always amazed at how photography spurs me on, but I must admit that my camera feels very heavy when negotiating the seemingly endless steps! Still, there are views and vegetation to take away the pain - even some perfect tiny white fungi growing on a mossy tree. 

Eventually we get there, later than we’d planned and the tide is further in than I’d have liked, but the benefit of this post-storm period is that the beach is almost deserted and every bit as gorgeous as I’d hoped - the majestic archway or cathedral, the wave-sculptured tree-topped stack reflected in the wet sand, the magical waterfall. I can’t believe I’ve left my iPhone in the car - I’d been relying on it’s wide angle capabilities, but I’m still largely happy with my shots. 

Sated by Cathedral Cove’s beauty, we make our way back up and down the steep cliff walk - and as always it’s seems quicker and easier going back. All that’s left is the more  prosaic job of finding a laundry and getting our washing done while we have dinner before returning to our Tree House. 

It’s been a fabulous day exploring this little corner of the Coromandel - and considering the circumstances, we’re more than grateful. 

It’s been a day rich in photographic opportunities - and hard to select even a post-Hale set. My main today’s Cathedral Cove - though I’ve struggled between the reflected stack and the restricted view beyond the cathedral arch - neither of them the conventional Cathedral Cove view. As extras, there are others of this magical cove, the breakers at Hot Water Beach and the stormy seas crashing into Buffalo Beach.