
If I told you I encountered a major road-block when thinking about this post, you’d probably imagine some emotional or psychological barrier about which I’m going to unburden myself.
But actually, I missed a road sign announcing that Scenic Drive in Waitakere was closed to traffic, and found myself driving towards an actual blocked road. With the car behind me way too close for a safe U-turn, I ended up on Bethells Road, heading towards the beach.
Te Henga/Bethells Beach is one of four road-accessible beaches on Auckland’s (wild) west coast. Although it’s the closest to home, I seldom visit there, probably because the next closest — Muriwai — has the twin attractions of the gannet colony and a good fish and chip shop en route.




It’s school holidays here at the moment, but the beach was surprisingly quiet. Perhaps it was just too cold and overcast.
Although I saw a few people carrying surfboards, I didn’t see any actually in the water, and the surf life-saving tower wasn’t manned.



The closest anyone seemed to get was surf-casting.
I may have missed a road sign, but I did manage to notice lots of small treasures on the beach and in the surrounding bush.











Amazing photographs..I too loves taking snaps but not a photographer..It’s an amazing experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous happenstance!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great walk Su, glad you took me along 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed it Brian
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Snap, Su 🙂 🙂 Mine is a little sunnier but your photos are fabulous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jo 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That footprint in the sand – had my soles yearning for a beach. A fine happenstance gallery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Tish.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A most fortuitous roadblock! What a treasure trove of images you have posted.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It does look impressively wild and volcanic, Su. Was it low tide?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does get pretty wild. It was about half tide I think
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes the unexpected turn out to be the best! Great photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jude.
LikeLike
Great photos of that foreboding sky over the beach. And what are those white crescent shaped things?
You know what they say—when you get to the fork in the road, take it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Amy. I keep taking the forks, but would really like some spoons and knives as well.
The crescents are shells of spirula spirula, which according to Wikipedia “is a species of deep-water squid-like cephalopod mollusk.”
The shells litter our west coast beaches, but apparently it’s rare to see a live specimen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Su.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL for the chips shop – that would be my road choice as well!!! That said, a wonderful outing in a beautiful spot. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons Su! The ocean images are wonderful but the various elements you found on the sand were my favorites in this one. Well done!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much Tina. Fish and chips on a cliff-top watching the gannets and the sunset — not a bad way to spend an evening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a reathtaking photo walk of the beach. I feel like I was there… I love these small treasures you captured.
Thank you so much for taking us along, Su. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Amy. I loved this challenge especially as it made me think about the micro-level stuff that I’d often ignore. Probably not the shoes though … that was a bit weird.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent photos, well done. I love the seascapes, but the shoes are an interesting vignette.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. They were sitting at the bottom of a sand dune, on the main path down to the beach. Not abandoned, but their owners were certainly not in sight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You found wonderful treasures, Su. Blocked roads, missed turns….newfound adventures! This was a very fun post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lois. The best things often happen when I’m forced to think on my feet (or in this case, sitting sensibly in the driving seat — because I’d never drive standing up) 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha! You are funny!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You discovered so many beautiful things on your walk along the beach. Thank you, Su, for the lovely virtual tour!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you enjoyed it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful Su!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
A song comes to mind Su, Stormy Weather.
Leslie xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures! Especially the beach pictures are so beautiful. The for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you; I’m glad you liked them
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Sue, I loved that! Especially those shells, what a treasure hunt this is – and those tiny round leaves, so delicate and fragile looking. I didn’t care for the grub…. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I think the “grub” is just one of the shells.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that’s what I wondered…. I’m glad of that! When we lived in France, we were invited to several African feasts where grub was featuring amongst other ‘delicacies’. I shudder thinking of grubs but could probably be convinced to enjoy grasshopper fritters!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not that different to eating snails.
LikeLiked by 1 person
….. which I also refuse to eat. Had them once, still in Switzerland and wasn’t impressed. It’s just a ‘glob’ in a herb sauce.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t rate them either. I don’t need to kill molluscs for an excuse to eat garlic butter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 ha, neither do I. I never need an excuse to eat garlic – full stop!!! 🙂 And no, I’m definitely NOT a vampire.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love those Wild West coast NZ beaches. Great photos resulting from a serendipitous oversight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jane. 🙂
LikeLike
What a beautiful post. I’m grateful for your enforced visit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Anabel. Me too; the weather has packed in and It’s not really beach weather any more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad it was actual road block and not an emotional one that led to this beautiful photo walk post! Ha! We’re also having holidays at the moment! Though no beach in sight! 😂 Also we’re officially not allowed to travel right now because of the high numbers of infections. 🙁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry to hear the infection numbers are rising. Please stay safe dear friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful and visually varied walk. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person