Sunday, December 14, 2008

Bayswater Marina Auckland

We are all settled in the marina now, Steve has been scrubbing the deck and boy does it look fantastic! He even managed to get all the rust flakes stains off the bow deck and I love it. The boat is looking so good! Even managed to get the kids to polish the brass keroscene lamp ! that was a hard one as it hasn't been done for so long , but Maya got it looking beautiful!
We are getting all decorated for Christmas.. found LED lights that run on 2 AA batteries, and they were on buy 2 of 1/2 price and get a third FREE! my kinda deal!!
We have a car to use , thanks to Neall M"s brother and we have been loving the freedom to get around . we will be going on day sights this week.

Trivia time again............
What is the capital of New Zealand? and name 3 native NZ birds......
This is a native bird called the WECKA - they are protected here on the island of Kawau, where the mansion house is. they remind us of our crows, they even take shiny things off the cafe tables

there are only 3 peacocks left on the island - they are all desendants from George Grey's time
( remember him, he was the first govenor of New Zealand. He also introduced a bunch of animals, (including the peacock they are not native here) zeabras and monkeys that didn't surrive the New Zealand weather and also wallabys, to which they are still around and are a problem. they mulitiply like rabbits!! They are only on Kawau Island.
this peacock would eat out of the kids hands...... they had a blast , even Steve fed him
this is an albino peacock , and is a direct desendant of George Grey's . this one is over 20years old! and is the father of the other peacock on the island . didn't get a photo of him, but he is white and colorful! likes to hide......

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can't believe I'm first...guess everyone else is decorating their trees and shopping (still!), me too; however, I have the answers:

Capital is Wellington...did not have to look that up
The Birds, didn't have to look for Kiwi, but did for Pukeko and the Blue Penguin.

Did I win????

Love,
Mom (in-law) & GMa
(just sitting here waiting for you on Skype!!)

Anonymous said...

Extra note...all this time I thought Kiwi was a fruit and shock of shocks...I realize I have been eating poor little kiwi eggs! You better keep traveling to enlighten us all!

Love,
Mom (in-law)& GMa

Anonymous said...

Hello orca III! I was just thinking about you and instead of studying for finals and I became mesmerized by your pictures! I am almost in tears thinking about how amazing this journey is for your family and how precious life is, to be able to experience what few have the chance to do. so happy for all of you! wishing you a merry christmas and safe and healthy life journey. miss you lots. Dawn (Toronto), Matthias (vancouver):( 2.5 years to go!!!

Lady

Lady

Maggie

Maggie

'Lil' putt putt

'Lil' putt putt
Christmas at Snug Cove