Overview
Sat Decr 27
After breakfast Maud + set out with trap + “Judy” for a little private picnic at the Clifton Beach. Drove out by the route of my former visit via Karamu Road + Tukituki Bridge. On account of recent rains the country was looking lovely – fields of oats in stook [sic], or uncut + golden, great rows, clumps + avenues of huge trees. Took a photo (19) of Maud in trap under the gum-tree archway on the Clifton Road. Reached the Clifton Station homestead about 10.30 am – a new road has been made down to +
[new page]
a little way along the beach, so we drove to the end + put the trap in the shade of a tree + tethered “Judy”. Just here there is a terrace on the hillside 50 or 60 ft above the beach – we carried our provision basket, rugs, etc up the steep bank to the terrace top + found it a most delightful spot – nice turf, shady trees, a small concrete tank + pipe spouting food water + a grand view of the beach + sea. Took it easy + admired the scenery + Maud. About midday a big party of picnicers [sic] arrived in four motor-cars, + settled down on the beach below us. Took a photo (20) of the beach + sea looking out from under trees on terrace towards Clifton + [Te] Awanga + showing Maud on one side. We lunched on some lovely sandwiches + cakes, Maud a most charming hostess. During the afternoon we descended to the beach + walked round the first corner to see the cliffs. I stripped + went for a bathe – there was a fine swell + the water was lovely. As we returned I took a photo (21) of the
[new page]
beach + cliffs looking east with Maud perched on a fallen block of conglomerate. Took it easy under a tree on the beach + told each other funny tales – then returned to trap + had afternoon tea. Took a photo (22) of Maud having tea, + she took one (23) of me the same way. Left at 4.30 pm + had a very pleasant drive home in the cool – Maud in great spirits – I kept here laughing merrily, especially when I stopped trap + tried to drink out of the preserve-pan which held our water supply – she made me laugh so much myself that the water ran down my neck. Reached home about 6.15pm + found tea awaiting us, kindly prepared by Mrs Herd. Changed from riding pants, leggins [sic] + brown coat to grey suit + in evening Gerty Maud + I went to a picture show in the Princess Theatre. Some of the comic films were very good + we laughed till we cried over “Does Advertising Pay?” After return home Maud + I spent a pleasant time looking at books together.