Recently we spent a brief time at Mount Maunganui while we waited for the caravan to be serviced. The beach had been cleared and graded and new yellow sand bought in. It looked very clean.
But what will the children find on their walks? Nothing.
Then we went to Ohiwa.
Big logs to climb over and make believe.
Long grasses to hide in - in fact you could easily lose a child in here for several hours.
Rare and precious things to learn about - but actually see as well.
Shells to pick up, Holes to poke sticks into.
Plenty of choice.. do you choose the best ones or the most interesting ones?
Bits of driftwood - doesn't this look like a baby bird?
Sand hills to run and slide down... may not be so environmentally friendly.
Waves to jump over
Mangrove seeds in their fleshy pods - you can make these germinate and grow a bit, provided they are in salty, brackish water.
Your choice of Christmas tree.
And if you're patient, you might even land a little fishy.
