Sweet days of summer

The only escapes from Auckland’s humidity this summer have been my air-conditioned car, and the beach. A couple of weekends ago, the Big T and I had a mini road trip to the Awhitu Peninsula, on the south head of the Manukau Harbour. It was a perfect, sunny day, with enough ocean breeze to keep us cool.

Whatipu on the north head of the Manukau Harbour, from the Awhitu Peninsula. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

The Manukau Heads at Whatipu. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

The lighthouse was first built in 1874 to guide mariners over the bar at the mouth of the Manukau Harbour. It seemed incredible, looking that the Heads on a beautiful day, that these waters could be treacherous to ships. On 7 February, 1863, the Manukau Heads was the scene of New Zealand’s worst maritime disaster, when the HMS Orpheus sank with the loss of 189 lives.

Lighthouse, Manukau Heads. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

Lighthouse, Manukau Heads. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

Wattle Bay, on the South Head of the Manukau Harbour. Image: Su Leslie, 2016

This post was written for the Daily Post Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is seasons.