Dragon-boat Practice

Last night on the harbour was brilliant. Getting there was not so brilliant. Where did all the traffic come from? The working year must be starting in Wellington.
As we did our warm-up walkabout I noticed the many people having an after work drink in the sunshine in front of the Whare Waka. There were also queues of suited types with their jackets slung over their shoulders sweating it out as they waited to go into a large marquee to take part in the Pinot Noir Festival which has been happening this week.
Boys and girls were jumping off the wharf with gay abandon. Further along the waterfront a high diving platform has been erected over a cut out area allowing access to the sea below. This is where the 'Real Deal' dive in to entertain passers by and hopefully drench the sedentary and slow moving.
Out on the water was pretty crowded as well. There were kayaks and paddle boards to avoid as well as rowing sculls and runabouts. The pedalo-boats had been all called in and were being put away so that was one less type of craft to avoid.
We practised stamina and starts, and concentrated on correct technique. Our sweep practised turning the boat in a smaller arc as one of our longer races will involve a quick turnaround at each end of the course. As our coach was stuck in traffic we trained ourselves and did just fine.
We watched other dragon boats acting more like caterpillars, their paddles moving consecutively rather than simultaneously. The paddles splayed out to the side rather than being parallel to the side of the boat. Easy to see the faults in others. So hard to see our own faults!

Once home I watched the golden disk of a moon rise from my window. Earlier on in the week Mark Gee from Weta Digital videoed the moon rise above Mt Victoria, Wellington's lookout point and placed it on his website. It is a marvelous piece of photography. To see it, go to this link: http://vimeo.com/58385453

Whau and Rangiora

takahe enjoying early sunshine

It was my day to do kaka nestbox checking, and a beautiful day it was.

tree overhanging  far side of lower lake looking the worse for wear

 I checked the shag roosting spot on the other side of the lake as I headed up. Through my binoculars I could see black shags and pied shags on their nests. If conditions are right they will nest all year round. I saw a pied shag fly in with nest material in its bill. The roosting tree is looking worse for wear, its leaves guano streaked under each nest. They will kill it eventually.
On the side of the path was a mallard not all ready to get up and go even though it was 10 am in the morning. It opened an eye as I photographed it but made no attempt to shift.

sleepy mallard

I chose to wander by the takahe, who then chose to wander by me. As I photographed a whau. Puffin decided to join me and had a poke round to see why I had stopped at this particular spot. The whau is one of the lightest woods in the world, lighter than balsa wood. The Maori used it for fishing floats. It has spikey seed pods and large lush leaves.

Me and the takahe check out a whau

I then stopped to photograph a Rangiora, or Bushmans Comfort . It is one of the more obvious shrubs of the New Zealand bush with its large soft leaves that are silvery on the underside. The settlers found them a great toilet paper substitute, hence the name they chose for them!

Rangiora or Bushmans Comfort

The young ladies of that era also found a novel use for them. As people from Britain spread across the world it was fashionable to send postcards showing their travels and where they had settled. The rangiora leaf proved to be an interesting and novel form of postcard as the underside of the leaf could be written on, and with a stamp applied could be sent to friends and relatives left on the other side of the world. The 'email' or 'twitter' of the Victorian era. The Post Office was not happy about it but usually obliged. We are lucky to have in our family a rangiora leaf postcard sent to my great aunty from Stewart Island by a friend. It is now in Te Puke Ariki Museum in Taranaki. They think it was sent in 1905 and most of the contents are still legible. The leaf is a South Island variety of rangiora and or more thick and compact than its North Island cousin.

My great -aunt's novel postcard

I hurried on to check my nest boxes but was distracted again by a family of Californian Quail. They are such busy attractive little birds, bubbling away to their babies as they bustle about full of importance. They are poor parents despite their concern. Often they start with over ten babes, but quickly have only to or three left. I wonder what happens to the chicks? Who makes off with them? Or do they just lose them through carelessness? They try ever so hard but seem a bit dim and not sure what to do when I approach - panic sets in easily and they scatter in front of me.

Californian Quail - baby with Mum at lower right

The kaka nest boxes are looking a little worse for wear now at the end of the season with visible signs of damage. Kakas can be tenants from hell as they shred the outsides of their house for no particular reason. This year damage proof boxes in pale blue plastic were provided as well as the old solid wood ones. They kaka have mainly preferred the tried and true wooden ones which they can trash to their hearts content. The art deco ones still look in good condition but I think the kaka don't consider them much fun.

art deco nest box

wooden nest box looking chewed and trashed.

I then went and observed at the feeding station but it was at the heat of the day and the kaka were keeping quiet or had dispersed for the day throughout Wellington so I continued on home.

Kaka feeding station with no kaka to be seen

Swimming with technique

Today I chose to be in the water instead of on top of it paddling in a dragon boat. Freyberg Beach was crowded with people enjoying the rare heat not often experienced in Wellington. I have never seen so many actually swimming in the harbour and remaining pink. Not a blue tinged goosebump to be seen.
After some hesitation I bravely left my wet suit on the shore and waded on in.
I am practising swimming and going in a definite direction. I can swim and breathe now but swimming and breathing and watching where I am going is the next step I need to master. As yet it is quite beyond me. I am an unguided missile, albeit a very slow one.  With so many bodies in the water it was difficult to go any distance in a straight line but I had fun practising and had a pleasant half hour.
I then retreated to the nearby swimming pool and practised some more. The pool water felt tepid after the sea. I practised looking forward just after finishing a breath and managed to see the end of the pool a couple of times.
Its funny - I have loved the water and swum most of my life but in an uncoordinated, random exhausting sort of way.
I never realised there was such a thing as technique!

On the Harbour

I got back to Wellington in time to get to dragon boat practice. My car recorded the outside temperature as 26' - hot for Wellington. The sky was azure and the sea a rippling deep green. The city itself seemed full - I suppose two cruise ships in port helped to give that perception, or is it already gearing up for next weekend when the 'Sevens' is in town, a time when the rugby around which it is based takes second place to the partying and costumes?
We had 22 team members arrive to fit in 20 places. One opted to be photographer and the other found a place in another boat. Once that was sorted we headed up the lagoon to pick up two other late-comers. People were lounged about outside the cafes having an after work drink in the warmth of the evening. Then out under the bridge and into the harbour we went.
Today was a stamina day which involved continuous paddling. Diamonds danced on the water as sunlight and sea met. We tried to perfect our stroke while keeping in time. The idea is to twist your body, reach out in front to catch the water, push the paddle down then pull your body upright. The paddle snaps out between your knee and hip, then away you go again. We seemed to have the harbour to ourselves tonight, the general population preferring to be on land bustling along the waterfront or watching from cafes and bars.
The boys jumping off the waterfront did not have to build up their courage to broach the depths tonight. The heat from the embers of the day encouraged them in and they were in no hurry to climb out, instead enjoying a lazy swim by the piles covered with green seaweed and tiny mussels.
We paddled up and down, encouraged by the coach as we went through the routine of 'reach' strokes and 'power' strokes and different combinations of paddlers. The rescue boat kept an eye on us as well as the other boats out practising but no one looked like capsizing tonight.
When our time was up we hauled the boat up the ramp then heard that another team needed our boat so we did not have to put it away.
Welcome news to finish another hard practice on a very pleasant night.

Taranaki Cycle Challenge

It was a coolish cloudy start to the Round Taranaki Cycle Challenge . I wasn't feeling the best having eaten a dodgey piece of quiche in a cafe in Waverly on the way up. I couldn't eat any dinner and only  a piece of toast for breakfast. I had managed to keep fluids down however .
I decided to ride within myself and not push anything. Completing the 150k was my goal.
It is a lovely ride from the start in NewPlymouth and heading out along the coast to Okato. You have the view of the sea  on your right, the mountain on your left, and rolling hills to keep you amused.
I am not keen on bunch riding so make it hard for myself riding alone . After a while I  began to feel better and did latch on to a bunch and let them pull me along for a while till I got spat out on a hill . After that it was pretty much me trundling along alone .
It was a hard grind from Opunake through to Midhurst - a  long straight uphill grind.
Suddenly I heard a large bang . The guy in front of me's tyre blew up. He then blew up with a lot of expletives!
Things sped up once on the main road and I could skim along at 30k or more.
The last hill came in sight and I relaxed, changed gear ... and the chain came off . No matter. I replaced it and cruised in to finish  3d in my age group in 6 hours 2 minutes and 37 seconds.

Guiding on a Wet Day

My tour group today was 100% Australian, full of bonhomie and intent on enjoying their holiday. Alas it was starting to spit as we left and Australians are not really used to rain, especially ones from Perth. They rushed in and bought plastic rain covers then off we set to see Zealandia and its wonders.
By the time we got to see the takahe it was teeming and I lost all of my group except four as they decided to head back to the comfort of the exhibition and the Rata cafe coffee.
The remaining four decided as they were wet already they would continue. I explained to them that probably all of New Zealand's birds originated from Australia blown over by the prevailing wind. Once here evolution sped up as they adapted to New Zealand's conditions with many losing the power of flight as it had lost its advantage in escaping predators.
We went on the Te Mahanga path to gain some protection from the rain and by the time we came out the rain had almost stopped. The four congratulated themselves on their decision to continue and were rewarded with the sight of kaka and kakariki.
On return we saw a lovely big tuatara and plenty of weta in the weta motels. Weta motels are upright logs attached to trees. These logs split down the middle with one half hinged to act as a door and the other half hollowed out in places to create a weta sleeping space. A piece of perspex is placed over the niches. People can then open the 'door' and observe weta in residence. Poor old weta. Nobody seems to like them and back off quite quickly upon seeing them. I explain they are harmless to no effect.

weta motel

We were back in plenty of time for once so we called in to look at the green tree geckos in their cage. These little specimens always have the total opposite effect on visitors as compared to the weta. People think they are gorgeous and ooh and ahh over them as they admire their lovely green colour flecked with pale yellow on their backs . I explain they are ovoviviparous, that they carry their eggs internally and give birth to live young, usually twins. If they open their mouths you will note they are blue and their tongues are yellow. If you give them honey to lick off your finger their tongues will turn red.
When we were young, it was still legal to keep them as pets and we got great enjoyment from them.
Nowadays you need permission to keep them and one of their threats to survival is poaching for private collections overseas.

The Wellington green gecko (photos by Carol Smith)

We got back in time to enjoy the shop and the exhibition.

Practising Dragon Boat Starts

It was windy but warm out on the harbour. We had seventeen paddlers ready to put power to the paddle. Practising our starts was the name of the game tonight putting in five deep strokes to get the boat going and its nose up, then fifteen fast strokes to get up some speed.
Technique was also on the menu as we worked on putting our weight into the front of the stroke and getting our paddles out before it drove back behind our hips.
As different members of the boat practised, I had the chance to look out on the scene. Two red tugs were sturdily making their way out to two large container type ships to bring them into port.
The 'spider boats' or sculls were out practising too, though it was beginning to get a bit choppy for them. Boys were jumping off the wharf  into the sea enjoying the thrill of the dive and impressing their mates with their bravado.
The old overseas terminal looks strange in its shrouds of blue material as it is transformed slowly into its new life as an apartment block. The huge cruise ships with their thousands of passengers now berth along by the stadium amongst the working wharves with their huge quantities of freshly milled logs heaped ready for export.
We drifted close to the marina with its yachts bobbing, and had to do some quick paddling to pull us away from danger. People were wending their way along the waterfront heading for home after their day's work.
The tide had dropped and the ramp was slick with slime as we slid in and unloaded our crew carefully to ensure we had no spills.
Another training over.

Kaka Nest Checks

A tuatara on the side of  the path.

On the way up to check my kaka nests I spied three tuatara beside the track. These were all outside the fenced area set aside for tuatara. Originally there was concern that tuatara might be affected by mice so in 2005  60 were released into a fenced research area where mice had been eradicated and ten were released in to the main valley where there were some mice.
After a year they were weighed and it was found the ones outside weighed more than the ones inside so  Zealandia was given 130 more to be released throughout the valley. It is wonderful to see them doing so well.
The kaka breeding season is coming to an end. It was very quiet at our nest sites and it does not look look any are going to re-nest in the area. I wandered down to the upper lake and crossed the concrete  arch dam. It gives a ready made canopy walk and a lovely view down the valley.

Upper dam and lake

The concrete arch dam - a good place to look at the tree tops.

Heading back to the ops shed I met up with another volunteer who has been showing me the ropes on feeding the takahe and giving a talk about them. We weighed out their specially prepared takahe pellets, took the information bag and headed back out to their spot by the top of the lower lake.
T2 and Puffin were their hungry selves, and as there was a group of school holiday programme children  also gathered we gave them some food a little early. As they enjoyed their pellet lunch I talked to the growing group of visitors about the history of the takahe and about our pair in particular. I then gave them the rest of the pellets and we watched as they quickly devoured what was on offer.
I picked up some of their soft iridescent feathers to show people. They are moulting at present and look a little scruffy with feathers out of position. It must feel a bit itchy as quite a bit of scratching and grooming went on. Someone pointed out a larger feather lying on the ground but as I went to retrieve it, the two takahe followed me and showed great interest in my hand in case it held any more food. I chose prudence and left the feather where it was rather than risk a nip as I put my hand down.
Another group of children arrived and kept me busy with questions.

 I felt I had earned my keep as I would have ended up doing the takahe talk to more than forty people.

Guide Duty

I was on guiding duty today at Zealandia. Sixty two people arrived on buses from the visiting cruise ship and were divided into groups of ten or so.  As quite a few  people on cruise ships have some mobility issues we divide them by how far and how fast they wish to walk. I got the moderate walking group. We set off straight up the valley with the intention of seeing the exhibition in the Visitors Centre at the end of the tour.

The clay puddle dam and the valve tower on the lower dam

First stop was on the clay puddle dam at the south end of the lower lake. I explained the general history of the area. The Maori used the area as a hunting ground and when early settlers arrived they removed the trees for housing and firewood, burnt off what remained then tried to farm the steep hills.
In the late 1800s it was decided to flood the valley and use it as the city's water supply.

An early photo showing the steep hills with regrowth of vegetation starting to happen

The clay puddle dam was built and then in the early 1900s a concrete dam was built further up. Farming was stopped and the bush was encouraged to grow back to create a water catchment area.
Then in the 1980s it was realised that the valley was in fact part of the large Wellington fault line and  a serious earthquake risk. If an earthquake happened the dams could be breached and the resultant flood of water could tear down into the city causing a significant amount of damage.
'Not good,' thought the city fathers and mothers so the valley was decommissioned as a water supply and the lake levels were lowered.
An enterprising man by the name of Jim Lynch put forward the idea of turning the area into a bird sanctuary. Wellington and its citizens agreed and with a huge amount of energy, innovation and fundraising Jim's dream came to fruition in 1995 when a trust was set up.
Zealandia was on its way!
Having set the scene we continued on in and managed to get up to below the top dam where we saw kaka feeding. The group was then delighted to see a little kakariki hanging off the remains of millet that had been placed in the trees the previous day. Its a beautiful little bird - a soft, lush green colour with a splash of red on its forehead.They were released in Zealandia three years ago and are doing very well.

a kakariki

After that we had to get ourselves rapidly back to the Visitors Centre for morning tea and to see the film.
Mission accomplished and I waved my group goodbye as they climbed on the bus and departed.

Biking Around the Bays

Today was fine and clear with a slight southerly so I set off down the Ngaio Gorge on my bike to meet with friends and do a favourite cycle ride - Around the Bays. Whizzing down the gorge when there is not much traffic is always a joy.
We met up by the waterfront and were soon on our way, joined by plenty of other cyclists with the same idea. We cruised round Oriental Parade enjoying the relatively free of traffic ride as it was still quite early in the morning.
Round Point Jerningham we were forced to slow as we felt the southerly wind push into us a little as we made our way to Evans Bay and beyond. It is a flat ride past many little bays where people fish and relax. A faster group of riders, a couple of whom were familiar so I hung on to their coat tails for a short while before being burned off.
There were a couple of seaside cafes beckoning and by the time we had reached Seatoun and continued on over Passa Branda we began to think of a coffee stop. We passed under the airport extension and wound our way past Lyall Bay, normally a surfers beach but the sea was flat and lazy today.
We stopped at a little cafe off the main road and I had a hot chocolate and a brownies as we caught up on gossip.

coffee stop

Coming out we found that the weather had changed and clouded over. We continued around the coastal rolling hills then headed up the long steady climb of Happy Valley Road. The wind turned helpful and pushed us up for once. I got some speed up and passed a few people which gave me that smug feeling which small successes can bring on. 'That woman is showing off,' I heard someone mutter. 'While I still can I will,' I thought.
 Passing through Brooklyn I noticed the decorated bus stop I had read about in the newspaper. Persons unknown have added sofas, a bookcase, and other household items making it look very inviting. I was pleased to see it still there as there had been talk the council was going to clear the furniture away.

The comfy bus stop inviting you to come and sit a while

We then scooted down Brooklyn Hill to the city delighting in the sweeping turns to the bottom.
At this point we split up, me winding slowly up Raroa Road  passing absolutely no-one, going home via Otari Wilton while the others headed back through town.

A Run Around the Perimeter

The day was glorious so I decided to run, jog and walk depending on grade and energy around Zealandia's perimeter. There is a track that goes right around the outside of the fence creating a three meter clear space to prevent trees falling on and damaging the fence. The distance is about nine kilometers with a lot of ups and downs. I set off anticlockwise and headed down through the scrub to where the Kaiwharawhara Stream exits the Valley. I went off track a little to explore the weir and the remnants of St Johns Pool where children in the 1930s were taught to swim.

The weir

St Johns Pool

It was a very bright day causing a strong dappled light effect under the trees. I wound my way up and came out by the fenceline already quite high up but with a long way to go. I looked down at the steepest part of the fence dropping away towards Zealandia's main entrance. Volunteers walk the fence every few days and the people who walk this section must be part mountain-goat! They check for damage such as animals digging, trees falling and mountain bikers crashing.

View of the harbour and city.

                                   

I looked at the little plaques placed on each post recording people's $100 donations to enable the fence to be built. Many many Wellingtonians gave money to support the project to create a haven for New Zealand's hard pressed wildlife.
A little further on the track disappeared back into the scrub away from the fence and continued on steeply. This part is near a scout hut and a swing had been erected in the middle of the track - tricky for mountain bikers but fun for walkers and runners who want a little variety.

The fence dropping away steeply

I came out near the fence again and had spectacular views of  Wellington below me. The harbour sparkled as the Cook Strait ferry made its way to the terminal.

It was hot and my running slowed. I kept an ear out for mountain bikers hooning down the gravelly path and stood close to the fence to get out of their way as they passed, not quite in control.

View to the south with regenerating tree ferns in the fore ground.

View out to Cook Strait

As I reached the south end of the valley I looked out towards the South Island and noted the various tracks that headed off down the gully and to the south coast.      

On the homeward stretch with windmill to the right.

The down hill part was over only too quickly and I started the hard climb up to the windmill supplying power to the National Grid. It was a prototype, now followed by wind farms out by the coast. Recently it was decided to keep it running as it has become iconic as a landmark.
I stopped for a drink and surveyed the view out to the airport and noted travellers would have a calm landing as well as stunning views today.
I met several runners and walkers starting out. A couple of young men were carefully shifting a female Wellington weta out of the way of foot traffic. She was a beautiful specimen, her brown markings glistening in the sun.

Female Wellington Tree Weta

I ran on and entered the scrubby bush again before arriving back at the car park for a well earned drink.

Wings Over Wairarapa

Travelling over the Rimutaka Hill is still not an easy escape from Wellington. It takes concentrated driving and people still disappear over the side not to be found for a couple of days. However as the bush continues to grow on the surrounding hillsides it becomes more and more scenic.

We travelled over to see 'Wings over Wairarapa' for the first time and were most impressed. It was a great show with triplanes and biplanes floating in the air, Yaks speeding by in formation and other faster jet types hurtling and booming overhead.
People were everywhere, setting up picnic spots with chilly bins and camp chairs, getting ready to turn their attention to the skies.
The plane that gained most attention was a Mosquito, very rare, and the only one flying in the world. The 'Wooden Wonder' was rebuilt in Auckland and is to be packed up and shipped out to its American owner next Tuesday.
It was hot and got steadily hotter. I retreated under a grandstand and watched while prone  and feeling a whole lot cooler. Wairarapa with its wide vistas, heat, and rolling countryside is vastly different to Wellington with its hills and unstable coastal weather patterns.
We travelled back through Gladstone, or what on the map is Gladstone as there was no visible evidence of it, avoiding the traffic on the main road and enjoyed a most pleasant trip as far as Featherston  on lovely rolling country roads before we joined the queue of well behaved traffic over the Rimutakas once more.

Alfie Kaka

                                       
Guess what! My old friend Alfie Kaka has heard of my blog and wants to link it to his face book page.
I first met Alfie way back when he arrived at Zealandia from Auckland Zoo with a few of his mates, the first kaka to  freedom - fly in Wellington for many years.
I remember putting food out for him and having trouble lifting up the tray to place it in the feeding station as Alfie was sitting on it.
I once watched this first group of kaka including Alfie playing a game of  'King of the Perch'.  There was a bare branch of tree sticking sticking upwards. Six kaka were hanging on the the branch and slowly shuffling upwards. The kaka at the top would grip on tightly until the pressure from below got too great and he or she would fly off, circle, then come down to the bottom of the pile of kaka on the branch and start walking and pushing up the branch again to help dislodge the new king of the perch. It was a good game and kept both them and me amused for quite a while. Perhaps it was a zoo game they had developed as after that once, I never saw them do it again.
Alfie has had a book written about him and his early antics when he first arrived at Zealandia.
He has a penchant for sitting on human heads and giving their hair some grooming.
To become a friend of Alfie visit his facebook page - Alfie Kaka. He also has a twitter account.

A Long Bike Ride Thwarted

Dawn was bright and promising so I set out on my planned long bike ride to Upper Hutt and through Whiteman's Valley. At the Petone overbridge I used the new underpass I recently discovered and found myself on the Petone foreshore path. I preferred the track to the heavily trafficked  road for this part of the journey. The local Forest and Bird members have done a great job planting native shrubs each side of the path making it a very pleasant ride and there are also a variety of community sculptures to admire.
I went over the Hutt River Bridge on the footpath, took the cycle path curling underneath it and popped up on the road again. With the hills close on my right I continued along roads that took me to the top of of the hill that leads into Whitemans Valley whereupon it teemed with rain. I decided to cut my losses and head back down rather then follow the road through the valley and back down Blue Mountain. Whitemans Valley seems to me a hidden part of Wellington, a 'Brigadoon' type of place, beautiful but  secretive.
I cut across to State Highway 2, got down on my drops and hightailed it with a good Norwester behind to push me along. I left the rain behind and settled to a pleasant ride home along the harbour.
The sea was calm and turquoise and to my surprise I spied a group of black swan floating a little off shore. I took a break to watch them as they gently bobbed up and down.

Then, back on the bike, a haul up Ngaio Gorge and home with a few kilometres under my belt to help me prepare for the Round Taranaki Challenge in a couple of weeks.
On arrival home I had one more thing to do. I checked the tyres carefully for glass and dug out a couple of nasty chunks. If  left, they work their way in and puncture the tube. Wellington roads always have the shards of many a beer bottle tossed out car windows on their surface, proving drinking and driving are still a way of life for some.

Zealandia in the Morning

Zealandia was beautiful in the morning. The birds were out and about, their volume turned up. A kereru rose high over the lake and I hoped it was going to do a 'swoop' display, but no, it flew with squeaky wings up to perch on one of the tall pines.
I saw a large tuatara male basking in the early sunlight and several little robins bopping about on the path up to my nest sites.

                                      The large male tuatara

                                      A robin perfectly camouflaged

Another kereru spotted on the track

A kaka nest box hidden among the trees

 After checking my kaka nests for signs of re-nesting I met up with a volunteer who showed me the routine associated with one of my new roles which will be takahe feeding and giving a talk.
We weighed out the pellets and headed to their territory on the lawn by the bottom lake. Mr and Mrs Takahe were waiting for us at the pontoon gate. They have just abandoned their nest with one egg in it after 53 days of constant incubating.  T2 (Mr Takahe) sat on the nest all night and Puffin (Mrs Takahe) sat all day. But alas their egg was infertile as it has been for the last eight years. Takahe mate for life. As there are only 250 or so left on the planet they are perhaps genetically compromised, and our two have only produced three babies over the last fifteen years one of which survived to adulthood. This daughter though, has done well in Maungatautiri Sanctuary near Hamilton with her Maude Island partner and have produced five chicks for far.

Still, I feel for T2 and Puffin who have just put in  tremendous effort yet again to no avail. They eyed us up as they knew it was tucker time. We were a little early so had to wait while they pottered around our feet. They are originally from Mana Island where they occupied a prime territory. It was decided to move them on to a retirement home (Zealandia) so that a younger, more virile couple could move in to their space. They now live here in splendour with no pressure from other takahe and with people like me to feed them every day. They have now reached the grand old age of 18  and19 which is getting on for takahe.

Mr Takahe plus long green poo. (They produce metres of the stuff per day.)
Also note antenna back pack enabling them to be tracked.

I shook the food container and they perked up and dogged - well takahed me to the feeding station. They have large prehistoric looking beaks and have been known to draw blood in their enthusiasm to get to the food, so I was a little cautious but completed the operation fingers intact.
An audience had gathered so we talked and answered questions. This is the role of Mr and Mrs Takahe now. They are advocacy birds for their species. They help to educate and inform people about the precious animals in New Zealand that need our help to survive.
After eating they preened themselves, had a postprandial nap then wandered off for a dabble in the lake and we wandered back to clean up.

Nap time. Note feeding station in background.

Dr Grordbort's Exceptional Exhibition

In Wellington today I chanced upon  Dr Grordbort's Exceptional Exhibition at the bottom of Cuba St. For some unknown reason I am quite drawn to Steam Punk and its flights of fancy. I spent an hour wandering around the various sculptures and drawings. Victorians, aliens, ray guns all mixed up together. Definitely weird!! Its here until January 26, then off to Dubai and the USA.

                                            A Sacked Pillock

It is the brainchild of Weta Workshop artist and designer Greg Broadmore, and more to the point, its free!

Hotting up Dragon Boating

Dragon boat season is hotting up! There were five boats in the harbour with plenty of new paddlers coming to grips with the art. A dragon boat paddling in unison is a delight to behold. What I saw tonight were newly hatched rather drunken caterpillars out for their first attempt at going somewhere, hopefully forward.  The front paddlers operated at a different pace to those at the back. One side had their paddles in the air while the other side dug into the waves. The paddles were waved about like legs out for a walk with no owners to tell them how to go about it. No doubt in a month or so long suffering coaches will have yelled themselves hoarse and these random sets of legs will be as well coordinated as your average millipede, racing over the surface with hardly a splash, their owners perfectly in time.

 The sea did not appear happy to see us. It was oily and grey, sluggish and surly. Rain drifted down   and helped to flatten any waves that thought to lift their heads. The clouds hung low and sound was muted. Few people walked along the waterfront and the city seemed distant. No boys today dived off the wharf into the sea to show their prowess and no girls gathered to watch.

We in our boat practiced endurance. We paddled up and down in pairs then fours, half the boat then all of us. We paddled ten strokes, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty. We were reminded about timing. We paddled odds and evens and had to keep our wits about us as we tired. We practiced the reach stroke and the power stroke and swapped between. It rained and we got wet. We stuck to our knitting and counted our strokes so as to come in on time. No chance for our thoughts to wander tonight, and grimly on we went  till we heard the call to head to the lagoon for landing.
The show is never over until the boat is manoeuvered up the ramp, lifted onto the trolley and tucked up in the shed and we have done our warm downs. Only then is home, shower, and dinner allowed to beckon.