Chris Skudder - New Zealand House Swap page 5 of 6
Before that though John and Barbara’s magnificent architect designed wooden beach house was waiting for us, unexpectedly flying the Union Jack in the front garden that bordered the golden sands. Fitting really, as it was here at Cook’s Beach in 1769 that Captain Cook had become the first European to make landfall in New Zealand. Imagine the cost of renting one of these in Europe!
A room with a view at the house swap
It was a wonderful setting. One late afternoon, having met up with some family friends from across the North Island we set off fishing on John’s small inflatable returning at dusk with a boatful of snapper. By night it was barbecue time out on the deck under some of the brightest and clearest night skies I’ve ever seen. Such was the lack of light pollution the night sky was awash with clouds of stars of the Milky Way.
Quite apart from the country’s beautiful and unique flora, the endless tree ferns, the pampas grass, the coastline never failed to impress round these parts, from the natural rock cavern Cathedral Cove that featured in the second Narnia film, through to the bizarre sight of near-boiling water bubbling through the sands at Hot Water Beach. The only thing that spoiled it was the throng of lobster-red-backed tourists lying flat out in the super-heated pools, a mass of flesh and flailing spades in the sand.
Chris' wife Belinda at Cathedral Cove
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