Pillars of Herakles?*

No Wainui beach with obliging strongman and suitable rocks.  Something for Admirer who loved a bit of silliness. Thanks to 60Plus for getting this tribute to a much loved and much missed blipper organised.

A dull, damp and windy morning and we caught up with chores. The rain ceasing somewhat we headed out - Wainui falls our destination. This is a wonderful bush walk following a wide river, ending in the most spectacular falls. The highlight is going over the suspension bridge which felt extra wobbly today so more larking about had to ensue. We'd been here before and decided to carry on to the beach which we hadn't been to. You can only access this at low tide. And it was! It was incredibly spectacular. Miles upon miles of golden sands, high granite cliffs and dense bush. We clambered as far as we could then retraced our steps taking in a huge spit, again only do-able at low tide. Many walks start from here and we vowed to return.

* You will of course recall the Pillars of Herakles from the stories of Greek myths - two huge rocky outcrops planted in the narrow strait where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean (Gibraltar and  the northern tip of Morocco).  They were said to have been put there by Herakles himself in delight at having captured the cattle of Geryon (a monster with three human bodies- one of his Labours). Other versions of the tale say he cut a channel to divided Africa and Europe, another that he pulled the two continents together to stop sea monsters bursting into the Mediterranean. A busy chap but it didn't end well. I love a Greek myth though. Who can remember all the 12 Labours??