Sunday 12th April 2015.

Hello friends and family

It took less than 48 hours after the signs were removed to get abused for asking people to leave after the lighthouse came on. On Thursday night, 2 cars arrived at 7:25pm and foolishly thinking “they won’t have torches” I waited 20 minutes before going out to see what was going on – 12 Chinese people were right on the path with the penguins, using their cell phones as torches and scaring the penguins badly. This is our new reality.

cousin Daniel arrived from Auckland to help with the many tasks involved in running a penguin rehab. I have decided that recycling laundry water is a good thing to do so we shifted the tank to a better spot. In doing so, we discovered that it has grown some dark grey goop and will need periodic hosing out.

On Thursday we witnessed the arrival of a Wood pigeon – I was very surprized because it flew in from the south – over the water – so they don’t have to pass the Magpies at all!

On Friday Sue and Dave from the Yellow-eyed penguin Trust came and gave us a cheque for $750. This is the first time they have given us money and it will help with the vet costs of all the injuries that the penguins have suffered this year. Thank you Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust. 

On Saturday we went up the Waitaki Valley and visited Margaret – she and Rodney have been there nearly a year, so we finally made it. Margaret dished up a yummy lunch – she is an awesome cook! We have 16 penguins in care.

Have a great week!