The photograph below doesn't really capture why I might feel passionate about this particular beach here in New Zealand and it's frustrating because Long beach is so definitely my beach.
My 17-year-old niece, the lovely Georgia, drove us out there yesterday and finally, it felt like I had returned ... completely returned.
Long Beach is located over the back of Dunedin city - turn left just before Port Chalmers, climb up into the hills and drive towards the east coast a while.
The sun was out, as was the tide, and the beach was like all of my favourite beaches here ... almost empty.
Cooper, the happy hound, fulfilled his role and chased the tennis ball endlessly. And that was me, looking like the happiest little kid ... just quietly wandering along the waters edge.
The yellow lupins were in full-bloom and, honestly, they would have to be my favourite flower. They have this delicate scent that, when mixed with the smell of the sea, is as close to heaven as I can get.
We sat in the sun out there on the beach, simply breathing in the best of New Zealand's air - 2 lovely nieces, my sister and brother-in-law, and the Belgian bloke too - just enjoying being there, back on that beach I love so well.
