Red Rocks - Wellington

 
“Campfire nights are what dreams are made of”
 
The campfire raging from the black sand beneath it, the sun setting in the distance, the water glistening, dogs exploring in the bush surrounding us, the crackling of the campfire music to our ears; there we were, living the campfire dream.          

Red Rocks lying at the bottom of the North Island on Wellington’s rugged south coast, sits among a Marine Reserve. The coastline pristine, with a backdrop of dry craggy hills; the water a deep blue, with patches of white as it hits the shoreline. An epic spot for four-wheel driving, diving, kayak fishing, swimming, dog walking, motorbiking and mountain biking. Every adventurer’s dream!
 
Devil’s Gate is the knarly section of the four-wheel driving track, guaranteed to give you sticky palms and a turning tummy, yet at the same time is achievable if you take the right line! Benny acing it with Rob’s assistance spluttering through the walkie talkie. Taking the four-wheel drive track means you get off the beaten track and round to secluded bays, and the sunset is worth the extra effort. 

Sweating in the sweltering heat, the Wellington wind as we knew it made no appearance at all. Cooling off wasn’t an issue – the water ‘ball shrinking’, leaving you feeling instantly refreshed. Our one night soon turned into two as the stunning days and nights were too good to leave. The South Island in the distance looking so clear, seeming only a few kilometres away. Chugging past at regular intervals, the ferries provided a gentle reminder of the formidable barrier that stood between the two beautiful islands. 
 
As the sun went down, the fire became bright and vivid, flickering in the moonlight. Lazing around the dancing blaze, eating marshmallows toasted to perfection - charcoaled on the outside and melted to perfection on the inside. Ella adding value and proving her worthiness since way back, rescued the beers from the sea-chilly bin, after the tide came in and swept them away. Although it completely confused her as to why people where not throwing her sticks she’d found, but instead were drinking them!