Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellington, New zealand - 31 January 2009

Karori is an inland reserve that has been fenced off to remove introduced predators and native birds have been reintroduced. We went up there on the bus on Saturday for a 2 hour walking tour. There was some really rare stuff and we saw a lot of the native birds. In addition, the Tuatara (second below) is very rare and is prehistoric. It actually has its own order as there is nothing else like it alive today. Its young are born with 3 eyes, one in the middle of their head still hanging on from early evolution. Really good afternoon out.

Tuatara

The Wellington Cup, Trentham Race Track, New Zealand - January 2009

Managed to obtain corporate tickets to the Wellington Cup horse races (bit like Ascot Ladies Day). Went along with our friend John, met up with a dozen work collegues and bagged a table and brolly right on the finish line. Linda was a gambling diva and picked winner after winner. In the end we had a very sucessful day, if not a very drunk day for Steve and John - Linda took along $100 and came back with $110 (thanks to steves bad choices)! Oh Well at least we were up.

Moved into New House, Khandallah, Wellington, New Zealand - January 2009

We have now moved into our new house. Only half the furniture has arrived and the packers seem to have split everything - we have a bed but no bedding !
We have 360 degree views looking up the valley and getting rare evening sunshine. Great views of the yatchs and ferries. House nudity a problem.

International Cricket NZ v WI - January 2009

This was a day match at the Westpac and New Zealand were looking good. The West Indies didn't really like Windy Wellington or our soggy carboard wicket. New Zealand won ! Had another beer !

Steve Kaikoura to Nelson Trip, South Island, New Zealand - January 2009

While Linda and Vicky went on their travels, Steve returned from Christchurch via a scouting trip through Kaikoura to do whale watching, Blenheim to do some whine tasting and then through Picton across the top to Nelson.

South Island Tour, New Zealand - January 2009

While Steve went back to work, Linda and Vicki went on their South Island tour. Sights include Arthurs Pass, Pancake Rocks, Glacier, Queenstown, Shotover Jet Boat and those boulder things.










and finally, here a few specially taken by Linda for Mark of Dunedin railway station .....

Christchurch, New Zealand - January 2009

The day after New Year in Wellington we headed off with Vicki on the plane to the south island landing at Christchurch.