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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

west coast

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The school holidays are over now, but last week we visited the West Coast of our South Island; hanging out on the beach, visiting abandoned coal mines and caves, walking through little rural towns and sampling the tearoom fare. We also found a former gold miner's village, hillsides covered in nikau palms and pancake rocks. We rented a little old house with a garden that backed onto a deserted beach. The beach had the best (smooth and flat) pebbles! I thought of Margie and her crochet work- I think you'd love it there, M. What a beautiful and wild place the west coast is! I had forgotten.

Thanks for your kind words on my last post. During the school holidays I was feeling overwhelmed by everything and as though I had completely run out of steam with blogging. I'm feeling better now I've been away for a bit, though. Hope you had a great weekend.

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20 responses to “west coast”

  1. Tania Avatar
    Tania

    Looks like a very beautiful place and with a totally different landscape to our coastline in Australia. Happy to see you back. I have been following along with your blog for a few years now and it always brightens my day 🙂

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  2. Eyecatchers & Wind In The Willow Avatar
    Eyecatchers & Wind In The Willow

    Absolutely amazing photo’s Melissa (especially the one with the sun coming thru the trees) . . . . totally agree the Westcoast is one magical place, it’s one of my favourite district’s in NZ !

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  3. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    I’m envious of that holiday – I love the West Coast and particularly enjoy a good dose of isolation.
    I find the same with blogging but for me I find it hardest when something has happened in my life that has hurt me. I find it incredibly difficult to share in those situations hence my own blog break, which I’m ready to end soon. In other news, my feet look the same as yours today – yay for black Converse sneakers.

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  4. Jo Avatar
    Jo

    So glad to hear you’re refreshed Melissa XX

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  5. Maribeth Avatar
    Maribeth

    So nice to have a break. So necessary. We had some long stretches of outdoors this weekend and my family is better for it. No coastline – a mountain climb, gardening, and playing in the woods around the house for us. Your photos are nice and quiet.

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  6. Margaret Oomen Avatar
    Margaret Oomen

    sounds like my kind of week
    my jaw dropped when i saw the photograph of the stone beach

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  7. Francesca Avatar
    Francesca

    welcome back Melissa, glad you had a good break.

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  8. Ella Avatar
    Ella

    Welcome back! Nowhere’s more magical (or under-appreciated) than the West Coast I think.

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  9. Zeiss conquest Avatar
    Zeiss conquest

    Glad to see you had a wonderful break Melissa. Those are some very beautiful pictures thee. Sometimes we all need a little break to re-energize our selves. Now you are back and hopefully you’re feeling better!

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  10. Amber Avatar
    Amber

    Hello, I so agree with Ella above. Such a special place. My aunt used to live in Granity on the W.C, it was such a magical treat to visit there. For those who do not live in NZ some of the beaches on the west coast have beautiful black sand and are scattered with white and purple cowrie shells! a different but equally wild beauty. Glad you had the perfect place for rejuvenating Melissa.

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  11. karen Avatar
    karen

    Hi Melissa
    Great photos, we loved our trip to the West Coast too. Mind you it was some years ago.
    Remember to pace yourself with your activities, work, family etc
    Cheers
    Karen
    Newcastle NSW

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  12. Neus Avatar
    Neus

    Ohhhh great photos!! I think that you live in the most beautiful country of the world!! Since I’ve seen lord of the rings I’m in love with New Zeland, but is so far away… lucky we have your nice photos!

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  13. FS Avatar
    FS

    Have been following you on and off over the years. Some baby booties of yours from the nelson market were given to me when my little girl was born 5 years ago. Your blog is always an inspiration and, I think, one of the best. Thanks for sticking with it.

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  14. Susie Avatar
    Susie

    Lovely to see you here again Melissa with your beautiful West coast pics, arrh those stones and the sun setting into the sea, so glad you had a good easter holiday, thank you always for your kind creative inspiration xxoo

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  15. sweet dust Avatar
    sweet dust

    The West Coast is so wild and beautiful. Always wish I had a truck so I could bring back all the driftwood. Gorgeous photos Melissa.

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  16. rachelle Avatar
    rachelle

    It is a dream of mine to walk those wild West Coast shores looking for semi precious stones, white ones with holes in them, etc. Esp after watching a show with Marcus Lush and a stone expert. Glad ur refuelled somewhat. Being a mama, partner and working as a creator is hard work even as fulfilling as it is. Its good to see ur post about taking breaks. An acknowledgement that you matter as much as your family and work does. A good reminder for us all. Hugs. See u at Handmade in Wellington. x

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  17. Ellen Avatar
    Ellen

    I was just thinking about what lovely pebbles those are!

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  18. Lotus Avatar
    Lotus

    I’m so glad you had a lovely holiday. I have been teased many times for originating from the West Coast but feel very proud of its savage and unkempt beauty. It makes me happy to read so many lovely comments about it and your photos are beautiful. xxx

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  19. Kirsten Avatar
    Kirsten

    I too love those pebbles. Looks like it was a nice break!

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  20. Littleminx.wordpress.com Avatar
    Littleminx.wordpress.com

    So so beautiful x

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