Hi all, Just a quick one from Dunedin. The albatrosses were fantastic, saw a few with chicks, but none flying. So after the visit to the colony, we hung around the headland waiting and hoping. Eventually they started flying, and we saw loads, some flying very close to us - awesomely close! 'Freedom camping' last night outside Dunedin - more black flies!! and back into D this morning. We've been to the famous Victorian railway station, complete with tiles from ...

Hello again! We left Angie's yesterday and headed to Oamaru down the coast. Theres a Blue Penguin colony here, so naturally I wanted to see them. Like Shearwaters they only come ashore at dusk (they are so titchy, 30 cm (the smallest penguin), and need to avoid predation). It's a semi-urban colony that needs constant protection - so weirdly enough they have had to erect a grandstand-type thing with special floodlights so people can watch without disturbing them...

Hello again! We left Angie's yesterday and headed to Oamaru down the coast. Theres a Blue Penguin colony here, so naturally I wanted to see them. Like Shearwaters they only come ashore at dusk (they are so titchy, 30 cm (the smallest penguin), and need to avoid predation). It's a semi-urban colony that needs constant protection - so weirdly enough they have had to erect a grandstand-type thing with special floodlights so people can watch without disturbing them...

Hello everyone! Well, we're here at Angie and Steve's house enjoying a lovely sunny day (at last!). The wedding was lovely although the weather was dodgy. They'd planned to have the ceremony outside in a gazebo on a lake but had set up inside the marquee in case it rained. Luckily it turned fine in time and it was a very special ceremony with family and friends. We ate and danced in the marquee (yes, John too!) till late. The guests all mixed well, Kiwis and...

We did a 'freedom camp' at the side of the road near Arthurs Pass. Unfortunately, we picked a spot where the black flies congregate for supper, which turned out to be us! Great view of the mountains, with SNOW on the tops - remember that?! Nice not to have to pay anything! but we have to watch the temperature of the fridge, which goes down fast when the van isnt plugged in. Yesterday drove to Arthurs Pass, and watched the Keas. Unfortunately Bernie got a bit...