All creatures great and small

We woke to the fantastic news that rotherham had beat port vale 1-0 overnight with a kieran agard goal. That set us up for the day. It was also Kathys birthday so I put up a makeshift banner and we watched her open her presents. She sends thanks to all of you. She chose to go to zealandia in the morning, a New Zealand conservation park where we could see loads of native animals. 

Obviously the kiwis were asleep, and the tuataras were nowhere in sight, it was a bit cool for them. We didn't see many birds either, a fantail, some cute New Zealand robins and a bellbird. And we did see some takahe, a bird thought to be extinct up till the 1950's. The lady at the counter said if you pop your head in the old gold mine (exciting anyway) you may see the cave weta's. Not for me then. I approached the mine mouth with caution, as the others rushed in. 'Its too dark, we can't see anything' came the cries. 'Wooo, look at that, come here mum'. I sidled in carefully, and shot back out when I saw the evil weta on the roof. Some laughter ensued, then Chris and Kathy came out to say that Kathy was looking at a weta on the wall when Chris spotted the weta family Robinson combing their long antennae through her hair! Gross. I do not like weta. They also spotted some gloworms.

 Not actual holiday footage, but very very similar

 These are the real critters

We left zealandia and headed to the ferry. After a little waiting we loaded on and the 3'o'clock ferry left dead on time. The sea was very calm and we got a fantastic view of wellington and area as we exited the bay. We crossed the cook straight and half way across a school of dolphins appeared right next to the boat. The ferry was moving too fast and soon left them behinds but it was wonderful to see them. Ian and I went up on deck to look, and spotted an albatross, something I never thought I would see. It had a huge wingspan and was dipping low over the waves. Then we saw another, and another, fantastic. We reached the South Island and the boat wound it's way through fjord like inlets, really beautiful. We spotted a fishing trawler close by and then noticed a massive school of dolphins playing in its bow wave. Then the sun began to set behind the hills, it was magical. 

Not actual holiday footage!

Actual holiday footage.

We arrived in picton bang on time, and were off the ferry in no time. We were on a tight schedule as Kathy had a job interview at 9pm via Skype. It got dark as soon as we started driving and the roads were very quiet, it was quite eerie. And then we saw it! I say we, everyone but me saw it as I had my eyes closed. Ever since Vicky came to New Zealand she has been dying to see a possum, they are more numerous than anything else and she hadn't even seen a dead one. But there it was, nonchalantly crossing the road. She was in heaven.

Not actual holiday footage either!

 We then passed this sign

Which caused much excitement, but even though it was dark and they are nocturnal we didn't see any. We arrived at the alpine lodge just after eight which gave Kathy plenty of time for her interview, she  now has a second one in Southampton but it sounds good.