Having a good day, go on, throw it again

All my planning said we were staying in Auckland yesterday and today. In fact we are staying in a suburb called Titirangi, a small town that has been engulfed as Auckland spread.
Whilst this would not have caused problems normally we found amongst the local information a brochure on the Waitakere Ranges, a large wilderness area to the west of the city, and nearer to us than Auckland.
So we had a choice, difficult driving, impossible parking, dirty air, crowds noise and endless opportunities to struggle against the urge towards buying unnecessary expensive retail bargain or visit the bush and beaches. Took a lot of thought
Lots of surf and surfers bush and wide open spaces. On one beach we saw a school party learning about life saving, parents, kids and life savers all having fun and learning. One couple took their dogs for a run in the surf, two dogs chasing one ball, lots of fun.
Now I am sitting on the balcony looking over the bush and part of the harbour and listening to the crickets.
Life's good