After the Storm – Simpsons Beach, Coromandel

Back in July, the rains came at Simpsons Beach. Not 40 days and 40 nights but more one night and most of the next day. In the end water was running everywhere. Down the paddock where we were parked, off Suzi’s awning, off Suzi’s roof, off the hills. It got to the stage of wondering how much more could run off everywhere without some consequences. We’d been running a bit short on fresh water and it took a long time for it to dawn on me that a fair bit of fresh was cascading off the awning. Finally I got out with the buckets and rescued some litres for the tank. I was just getting a good system going when the rain eased off. Then it stopped. “Typical” I thought. I just work out a use for the stuff and it stops.

We headed down to the beach to see the results of the storm. Further along the stream flowing into the bay was in flood, brown and swift. Everywhere water was running into the sea. The tide was in and the beach seemed a lot wilder. It was almost 5pm and sunset. The light was failing and dramatic. It was one of those moments to remember, and to try to capture.