Banks Peninsula......

....and its many bays.

Picnic packed, sunnies, sunscreen and insect repellent packed, camera and spare batteries packed, it's all we needed as J and I headed out to explore some of the bays of Banks Peninsula.

Our first stop was at Little Akaloa, a small farming settlement and bay just north of Akaroa. The settlement was designated 'little' to distinguish it from Akaroa.

St Luke's Church is an historic church, denomination is Anglican. It demonstrates the faith and commitment shared by the residents of Little Akaloa and Menzies Bay. It is a monument to the memory of J.H. Menzies and is the realisation of this Pakeha's fascination with Maori decorative art. This church was built in 1905 and today looked beautiful with flower arrangements in blue, white and yellow and white bows with shells as centres on the pews, ready for a wedding.

We enjoyed our picnic at Pigeon Bay which I seem to have very few photos of as I was preoccupied chasing a native wood pigeon which was being very elusive! The winner at the end of our day was the wood pigeon, perhaps I'll be lucky another time.

It was wonderful to be by the sea as the temperature rose to 30C, far to hot to garden. Later we enjoyed a wander through Hay's Reserve under the shade of native trees with a small stream meandering along before heading home along the summit road with picturesque views from every corner.

Happy Saturday everyone :)

All shots in the collage are of Little Akaloa apart from the two on the bottom row left and middle, they are views of Akaroa.