We dropped the kids off for a week of YMCA camp this morning.

The best thing about taking the kids to camp is finding ourselves on the Banks Peninsula with no children and the whole day stretching before us.

Today, there was work to do—scoping out a field trip site for a workshop my husband is hosting in Akaroa next month. It was rough work. We were forced to drive out to Hinewai Reserve and hike through regenerating native bush to the beach.

I hate that sort of work.

It’s especially bad when you are forced to have lunch on the beach, endure views like this, and see a 100 year-old nīkau palm tree at the limit of its ecological range.
And it’s even worse when after you’re done, you have to stop by Akaroa for a beer and chips outdoors along the waterfront.

Terrible.

Good thing every work day isn’t like that. 😉