Choices, choices

It's fortunate that I'm flexible. I consider it to be one of my best qualities. You see when I woke up this morning I'd decided that I was going to write about running in new places - that was even before our run this morning along the harbour front in Auckland. I get a great buzz from running in new places, particularly cities, as it's a great way to get to know somewhere. The run this morning was fantastic; warm but not too hot, great views over the harbour and the feeling of being part of the city as it wakes up.

But that changed when we picked up the hire car. I then decided to ditch the subject of running  and instead write about the 'joys' of driving in a foreign country. I was going to mention the problems we had finding the handbrake in a hire car in Italy (there wasn't one!), the time Sarah directed me into the World Heritage area in Florence (where cars were banned and we picked up a not insubstantial fine) or the wisdom of driving on the other side of the road whilst jet lagged and a little disorientated (I don't think we have quite got over the stressful night-time journey from Denver Airport to Boulder and I guess neither has the driver if the vehicle who was faced with an impromptu game of 'chicken'). But the journey today was uneventful with the exception of a couple of times when I tried to propel Sarah through the car windscreen. Why we chose an automatic car I'll never know, but I do know that pressing the brake pedal as if it were a clutch when travelling at 70mph is very exciting! Especially for the passenger. 

So that was my second option. And it would've been the final one had we not been presented with the view below when we arrived at our destination. 

There is something magical about the ocean. Whether it's the seemingly endless opportunities that lie over the horizon or the soothing sound of waves crashing on the beach I'm not sure. Either way I'll never tire of just sitting, watching and listening. It helps that the sun is shining and I've got a glass of wine in my hand, but it could equally be windy, raining and a cup of warm tea. It would still be magical. I think we're going to enjoy our few days in Cathedral Cove.