Sunday 8th January 2023

all chipped and weighed

​Hello friends and family
Summer is here and it is great to have open windows and no flies. On Tuesday we were joined by Patrick and began micro-chipping the chicks. They are so close to creching that it is timely. Many are over 5Kg and rapidly losing their fluff.

oh, so grown up!

​Penguin chick fluff is interesting stuff. It seems to be able to defy gravity and have special magnetic properties. The outcome is that we get fluff in our mouths, noses and everywhere else.  It surfaces for the rest of the day and washing only makes it cling on more. Fortunately, by next year, we will have forgotten.

pair bonding

​Wednesday was our day to go to town in the morning. It was very warm and glaring so in the afternoon we went for a walk in the Herbert forest. The tui calls were amazing and we saw a bellbird and 2 robins.

trying to look bigger than the chick

​On Thursday, micro-chipping the chicks in the Moeraki colony was our focus. We did 17 of them in short order. The heaviest was 5.9 kgs. One hid from us and we had to go back to find it. Robbie moved the webcam back to the path so there will be more to see there.

the seal pups are creching

​Friday was a quiet one as we got ready for our weekend break. We were on the road by 8 am and off to Wanaka. First stop was morning tea with Walter and Therese in Clyde. We were greeted by them and their quails, tuis and bellbirds.

much admired

​Then it was off to the orchard in Cromwell and then Wanaka. The generous Judge let us stay in their Wanaka house so we were able to spend the afternoon enjoying the lakeside and the magnificent trees in the area. We had take-aways on the deck for dinner and then an early night so we could be up early to climb Roy’s peak.

Stunning beauty all around

​Dan and I reached the car park at 5:40am and made our way to the famous photo spot about 1 km before the summit. As we arrived, clouds rolled in – maybe a sign that we should go back? I rested there while Dan did the summit. 
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I made it!

This morning I am fine, but he is stiff and sore!
Have a great week
Rosalie