Hello friends and family I have closed my landline so the only phone I have now is my cell phone. Only a few people used my landline, and it was costing me up to $40 a month – I always call on my cell phone these days. I have just had a great trip up to the north island. I started in Auckland for the WReNNZ conference held at the zoo. There were 70 delegates and many wonderful speakers. That took up the first 2 days and then on the Sunday, Daniel and I went to Tiritirimatangi where he is a volunteer. This is a conservation Island in the Hauraki Gulf. We had a magical day with many native bird species to be seen and bright sunshine with no wind. On the Monday, after talking to year 13 Biology Class, I caught the bus to Thames where Paul and I visited Raewyn. She is always an inspiration with her great outlook on life and wonderful stories. After that we went to Paul and Jen’s place at Hahei where I stayed for 4 nights. While I was there, I walked to Cathedral cave and the Blowhole. This was to walk off the wonderful food I ate! We also went to Whitianga and cruised the canals that are all new since I was there last. On the Friday, Paul took me to the Mount so I could stay at Maria and Bryan’s place. More yummy food and as a bonus, I got to catch up with all my siblings at once. We went out to dinner at the village, and everyone was very impressed with the delicious food and flash surroundings. I got up before the sparrows on Tuesday morning and Bryan delivered me to the airport for a 6 am flight home. This enabled me to make a submission to the Waitaki District Council 10-year plan in the afternoon and get home to feed the 2 penguins in care. On Thursday the team came out and we began the big winter clean, which involves removing the rocks from the pens, lifting the grates and cleaning the concrete below. After sterilizing, everything is put back ready for next season. In the afternoon, Lindsey, Robbie and Margie rescued a penguin from Kakanui that was on a dog walking path.
Then the rain started. We have only had 10 mm so far, but it is still grey. Have a great week! Rosalie Hello friends and family What a great week this has been! On Monday I took the Varroa strips out of the beehives and so now they are sorted until spring. The team came on Tuesday and we planted another house. I was on the Toptip on Wednesday morning and it was busy for the whole 3 hours. I was pleased to come home and make cheese and relax a bit. It was great to see our penguin tracking data go up on the Movebank website to be shared with us all. https://www.movebank.org/cms/webapp?gwt_fragment=page=search_map. On Thursday I set off to the Oamaru penguin symposium, traveling with Jan and Robbie. 10 members of Penguin Rescue came along. I gave a presentation about our procedures here. We went to the Little penguin show after the last talk, or the pub, or some even went to both. We enjoyed a delicious conference dinner. Hiltrun spoke on Friday about double marking of Little penguins at Pilot’s beach. My episode of the rabbit story went to air on Friday morning https://vimeo.com/545815722. It resulted in a bit of interest and so I did a phone interview with Radio NZ in the afternoon. After the symposium, I picked up the new blinds for the office. A lovely couple from Wellington came out to see the penguins and so I did an evening visit, which I seldom do. I saw all of our resident penguins where we went, plus a few more, including 2 juveniles. On Saturday I made such a botch up of hanging the first office blind, I will get help for the other one. The timber in the window frames is so old and hard, I can’t get a screw to go into it.
Have a great week! Rosalie Hello friends and family After a lazy Sunday I decided on Monday, to shift some penguin houses to new places as they had not been used recently in their current location. The first one had a penguin in it! The next one had a new nest bowl and the 3rd one was anchored to the ground and not going to be moved without mechanical help! I was left with domestic chores to fill up the day. On Tuesday Robbie and I relocated a penguin box and the birds had moved in by Thursday. Robbie released a penguin at the Bluffs in the afternoon. On Thursday, the team was back to strength, so Robbie and Jan built penguin houses that we planted in the afternoon. Gareth from the council came to learn what we do and is very supportive of our conservation work. Hiltrun, Trii and Elaine came on Saturday. The weather was glorious, and it was warmer outside than in. Having our morning coffee outside was a reminder of Covid days last year. Have a great week!
Rosalie |
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