We are more warmly dressed than usual for our beach walk this morning; it is still cool after yesterday’s thunderstorm. The air is fresh and clear, with a brisk easterly wind. From the crest of the dune pathway, we can see three ships on the horizon. The Port Hills to the south are outlined against billowing ‘cauliflower’ clouds, and the distant Kaikoura mountains are clear to the north. At the foot of the dunes, families gather around Santa Claus for photos.

The sand is firm under our feet as we head north along the beach with many others, most with happy dogs. We pass a circle of people discussing the coastal environment. Overhead, a motorised kite flies by, turns and disappears into the distance. Two light aircraft follow the line of the beach, one is white and heading south, the other is red and travelling north. ‘It’s the Red Baron,’ I say.

Later, we heave ourselves upright from the log where we stopped for morning tea, and come upon two people launching colourful kites which swoop and glow against the bright blue sky. I count two dozen birds flying in formation and intersecting a jet trail – and, in this photo, forming an angle with the kite’s string line.

The kites make undulating shadows on the sand.

As we near the pathway we can see that the swim-between-the- flags are out in front of the surf club. Families are organising themselves for photos with Santa, choosing props such as hats, a cricket set, rugby ball, surfboard, and a bent (purposely?) Christmas tree – and even the Grinch – although he seems to have retreated to a distance now, perhaps to keep in character.

It’s perfect kite-flying weather. A local, walking by with her small terrier whose ears and fur are pinned back by the wind, asks us if we have been to the annual kite day – this is just a taste of it. The next one will be at the end of January in the new year.