Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Laziness a summer pastime

The delicious lazy hazy days of summer camping. Photo / File

I don't mind if it doesn't rain for another six weeks. And if it does then at night will do just fine.

This lovely weather is what summer is all about. The couple of trips away I had planned over the New Year break didn't eventuate for various reasons. And I'm not in the least bit unhappy about that.

Having moved back into my big home over Labour Weekend, it was nice getting reacquainted with the house, going from room to room and looking at the view from each window.

The loving memories the house holds are still there too but time moves on and memories should never hold us back from moving on as well.

I keep running into people who haven't taken any holidays so far, they've had to work. I just hope when they do take some they have the great weather we're having now.

When you are busy with work commitments during the year and often out of town, it's great just to kick back and spend time at home.

I know a lot of families love to travel during the holidays, often to new places but also to their favourite holiday locations, but that's not the case for everyone. Some people would rather just stay put at home.

That's been me this year. At home I had time to read new books and pore over old ones. The books I have read many times, just flicking through them again. I always find this a pleasurably pastime. Walking around the house in a slip, doors wide open hoping no one comes calling so I don't have to do a quick change.

And best of all, having all day to spend doing nothing. Well, not exactly nothing but at least all day to do the things I want to do without having to be anywhere at any particular time. An ideal summer break.

So how is it that in the last three days I've been camping? What brought about this change of plan? Well for the past 12 months I have been on the lookout for a Campermatic. One of those small pop-ups you can easily tow behind a car. They say all good things come to those who wait. By chance I came across one, liked it, the price was right and so I'm now back in the camping game.

First camping spot, my own backyard. Daft I know. I wanted to make sure I knew how to set up the Campermatic. To see where all the bits fit. There aren't too many bits but it's much bigger than the one I had many moons ago.

I put it up, kitted it out comfortably and for the past three days I've been camping out on my back lawn. Mostly lying around reading of course. No surprises there.

The calves on the next door property are coming up to the back fence peering at me. I love that sight. Probably wondering "Is she okay, do you think?"

The cows stay further away and don't bother with me at all. I can get up and come inside at any time I want but I'm really enjoying my half-baked camping experience.

It'll do for now but I am looking forward to tripping around to various coastal spots over the remaining summer months.

They don't talk about lazy, hazy days of summer for nothing. This has been the best for many a while.

- Merepeka lives in Rotorua. She writes, speaks and broadcasts to thwart the spread of political correctness.