At the end of summer we went out to a West coast beach that had the darkest sand I have ever seen! The iron-rich sand washed up the coast from an eruption in Mount Taranaki years and years ago.

Even though the sand was inky black it still sparkled and glistened!

The rocks were a rich auburn color that contrasted perfectly with the blue sky.

We took a hike up the sand dunes pictured here on the right side.

Aotearoa; land of the long white cloud.

Some lovely olives from the Simunovich Olive Estate in Bombay Hills.

A view straight from Italy...

The Bracu restaurant offers gourmet brunch, lunch and dinner entrees in an exquisite setting. Check out their menus online here.

They also carry two skincare lines they have created from Olive oil (Olive) and Olive leaf extract (tebe). Here is a list of traits describing the skincare lines.

• pH balanced

• suitable for sensitive skin

• pleasantly scented

• free from mineral oils and propylene glycol

• free from petroleum by-products

• free from paraben preservatives

• free from sodium laureth sulphate

• formulated in small amounts for greater quality control

• age-old family recipes

• environmentally responsible

• made in New Zealand