Hello,

We set off for Dunedin on Thursday 14th Aug. It took us pretty much all day to get there. We arrived around 3pm and headed straight to the Otago Peninsula for Carol to go to the Penguin Place and see the penguins. We were very lucky as we arrived about 3.30 and the 1st tour of the day was at 3.45pm.

Penguin Place is a private conservation centre for yellow eyed penguins. These penguins are only found in New Zealand so it was a real treat to see them. We headed off to the coast and were able to view the penguins via a series of observation huts connected by camouflaged trenches. We got to see the penguins in their nesting boxes and also coming in from the sea and walking up the beach, it was really amazing!

We also got to see some seals and birds and look out over the peninsula and observe the coast; it was the best day ever!

After I (Carol) had been to Penguin Place we headed off to a campsite as it was getting dark. We camped up and, as per usual, tried to watch the olmpics! The TV room shut early so we headed off to the pub for a couple of drinks.

The next day we drove into Dunedin to have a look around. Unfortunately Dunedin doesn't cater for campervan parking so after driving around for 20 mins and not been able to find a spot we gave up and continued our drive up the coast back to Christchurch. We stopped off for the night at Oamaru to break up the drive. Carol and I went to find the free pengiun viewing place and walked for hours up massive hills in the freezing cold only to get there wait for ages and no penguins appeared!! Not even 1!! So we began the trek back- I wasn't happy!!!

We then drove to Christchurch on Saturday afternoon and dropped off Connie the campervan at the airport. We had a speeding fine on it for $300 which was ridiculous and again we are poor!! You know where to send any spare money!!

xxx