Pikihatiti or Port Pegasus, with its 5 metres of rain per year, is near the southern tip of Rakiura. I said I’d give it a go to walk up the 230 metre granite Bald Cone (47°S). The ‘track’ was 95% deep sucking mud. Amazing views though! I stopped 2/3 up, exhausted.
Had to get up around 3 am to let Oshi out then was awake for a bit. I was just wondering about getting back to sleep when there was a very loud and weird noise outside, followed by more noise and a bit of shaking. Earthquake Details: 30 km west of Paraparaumu; M 4.6; Depth: 33 km
I’m excited to be a presenter at Micro Camp 2021 and now I’m back from holiday I’m getting into the preparation. My topic will be Open for Inspection 🔍 — how to use the Web Inspector to help with customising your blog. Think you’ll tune in?
At Abraham’s Bosom beach on Rakiura I learned about the Turpentine Shrub (will keep fires burning), spotted a paua shell, and was intrigued by the rocks with their vertical layers of soft and hard.
Once we were aboard the Milford Wanderer we motored off to Port Adventure where we landed for a brief beach walk at Oyster Bay and Abraham’s Bosom. Mollymawks floated round the boat. Lush bush grew almost to the water’s edge. A young curious sealion joined us on the beach.
My credit card expired this month so I now have a new card. Now visiting services that hold my card number and updating the details — about 15 of them! So glad I made a list I keep with my card details in 1Password.
On the Rakiura cruise expeditions from the Milford Wanderer always started with a tender ride, piloted by Gibby. The tender hung from the stern of the MW and there was plenty of help to board. Steps at the front were for landings. Gabriel and Annette from the Crew were there too.
This large item was on the beach today — a shark fin?
Our Rakiura Cruise was aboard the Milford Wanderer. The crew soon told us the sails are just for show! The cabins are tiny: 2 narrow bunks with a mini gap between, a teeny space at the end of one for luggage. The saloon has tables and bench seats, a tiny galley and tea station.
The holiday was utterly fabulous, but I’m also thrilled to be home in my own bed, with clean clothes, slippers on. Now for a good night’s sleep!
In a visit to Otago Museum I learned the extinct Moa came in various sizes. The giant moa is in the photo. The male is small. When I stood level with the female my head came to about her rump. Then her neck and head stretched way above me.
Heh. Dunedin Airport.
This is the abundant but declining NZ native tarapunga, red-billed gull. 🐦
For the final adventure of our holiday we visited the Royal Albatross Centre on Otago Peninsula. 🐦
the only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross (toroa) in the world.
The birds have a 3-metre wingspan. Chicks weigh ~10 Kg before they fly.
Behind you!
Nugget Point Tokata had stunning landscape, along with its lighthouse.
Purakaunui Falls rewards the use of the 27mm lens.
Also at Roaring Bay last evening this huge black blob in the grass — a resting sealion.
McLean Falls was wonderful for both the falls and the amazing “shrubland and fern and moss-rich tall forest”. If I lived nearby I’d visit all the time.
The Tautuku Estuary boardwalk was a surprise — walking out into a sea of golden reeds. I think I heard a Fernbird.
