Back with some coastal meanderings

A beautiful piece of pāua shell (Haliotis iris)

It has been a LONG time since I’ve written a blog post! For the last 6 months of 2022, I was finishing my Master’s thesis, and everything else got put on the burner right at the veeeery back. Following the completion of that mammoth task, the Christmas holidays and long stretch of summer commenced and my motivation to write and post just wasn’t there. I wanted to just ‘do nothing’, which is all well and good (nothingness is definitely important!), but I realised that writing and sharing is really enjoyable. I felt a bit of a craving to share! So I’ve tentatively signed up for another year’s subscription, and maybe I will actually share this time! While the blog was previously for myself as I didn’t want to externalise the experience and lose the fun of creation, I feel it would be nice to share with others. So if you’re reading this – hello!

Anyway, last week I visited one of my favourite spots in Wellington, Moa Point. On the south coast, round the corner from the airport, this rocky, rugged land is framed by steep hills and surrounded by crashing seas. A treasure trove of shells, pebbles, seaweed, and interesting lichen, it makes for a great little photography trip.

There’s something about this place that can bring you to life! Maybe it’s the fresh sea-salt air and bright skies or the sound of the waves as they swish and swash and crash or the way the sun creates shadows and animates the textures of the rocks and the sea. I love the way the dark sand contrasts with the clear sea and white foam – it’s magic!

The rocks at Moa Point are rich with texture – criss-crossed and uneven, worn away by the sea, and covered in bright-coloured lichen (I think!). The sun illuminates the slimy translucent seaweed, turning it a wonderful fiery amber. While I’m unsure about the reasons behind these textured rocks and the names of the flora living in this area, I am keen to find out more – the investigation begins!