Sunday 17th March 2019

Moulting in the drain - the water keeps their feet cool!

​Hello friends and family
Another busy week in paradise!
Michael and Shirley arrived back from their south Pacific cruise very happy that they went, and Shirley gave me her sub-Antarctic jacket to keep me warm on winter mornings! They have been helping out with planting, weeding and fruit picking at Hampden.

This pair are moulting on top of the promontory

​Walter came and harvested the honey on Monday – it was a very poor crop and the unhelpful weather has taken a toll on the bee health. Hopefully, the Verroa strips and some warm calm weather will help restore them to full health.

Newly released from care and home after swimming back

​Robbie came on Tuesday to help with the rounds. We saw a couple of penguins that may be a bit thin but left them alone as they may be here for some time as they moult, so there is no rush to pick them up. It was my turn at the top tip on Wednesday morning which meant that I did not open the soft-release pens until the afternoon. By Thursday evening, 2 of the chicks were back in care, having swum as far as Hampden, but our net goes even wider!

At last - beautiful clean water

On Friday, Michael and Shirley shouted me out to lunch at Fleurs. – lucky me! Then hell arrived in New Zealand. A madman drove past here to Christchurch and manifested his intolerance with a gun. New Zealand was a soft target and so he was able to inflict an awful lot of damage. We need to toughen up.
Have a great week!
Rosalie
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