Boxing day- began in bright sunlight and a wild southerly gale. Not long after we talked to the Cardiff clan on Skype, the wind dropped and it greyed over. It began to rain as we set out on a two mile walk along the estuary, around the point passed Shag Rock (now locally known as Shag Pile since the earthquake reduced it to one third of its previous pinnacle size) and onto the glorious sandy beach that stretches northwards for many miles. It is a walk we do often- at the end, a short sprint across the road brings us neatly back to the house.

   By the time we reached our favoured swimming spot, the rain was coming down in earnest and we lost sight of the headland beyond Sumner. But the water was warm although the surf left over from the earlier blow was a bit messy. We had no towels but since it was pouring with rain there was no point in drying off anyway. Back home, we stripped off for the outdoor shower to wash away the sand and the salt, hung togs on the line and disappeared indoors for a steaming mug of coffee.