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Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku

We drop anchor in Perseverance Harbour and zodiac in....

At Sea, Toward Campbell Island

We are now leaving Australia and returning to New Zealand territory, so we have another biosecurity check. We vacuum our day packs, and look for little twigs. This is Doug and Niall doing their thing....

Lusitania Bay on Macquarie Island

Overnight we travelled further down the Macquarie coast to Lusitania Bay.  Look at the east side of the map, towards the bottom....

Macquarie Island

On our two trips to Macquarie it is hoped we will see four species of penguins, southern elephant seals and orca, though all weather dependent and we are in the wild.   We wake up early. Here we have zodiac'd in to near Buckles Bay on Macquarie. Note Judd in his waders....

At Sea

It is a day to catch up with editing photos, photographing birds, learning more about my camera, blogging and reading. At 9.30 we have a biosecurity inspection clean and check. Here is Daniel doing a check with Tracy. We vacuum our pack and he checks it for little twigs and other bits. We are on our way to Macquarie Island, which is part of Australia.  All the other six islands we are visiting are in New Zealand. ...

Auckland Island, Carnley Harbour

In the southern archipelago of Auckland Island there is a very large sheltered harbour called Carnley Harbour. It is rich in human history including shipwrecks, treasure hunters, coast watchers, and of course scientific parties. We arrive early morning through the eastern entrance. it is guarded on both sides by dramatic cliffs and rugged, tussock-covered hills....

Auckland Islands/Motu Maha/Maungahuka

After another "rolly" night, we arrive early in the morning at the Auckland Islands.  We have travelled 152 km from the Snares, we are 725 km south of New Zealand.  Auckland Island itself is about five times the size of Waiheke (at 57,000 hectares)....

The Snares

Our first full day on the Spirit of Enderby.  We are on our way first to the the group of islands called The Snares. This is a boat we passed.  Robert saw it (I didn't).  It shows how the sea was rolling - we had certainly spent the night sliding back and forth in our bunks!  But we weren't seasick!...

Trip to the Catlins, then Boarding the Spirit of Enderby

Bill and I had breakfast with Stephen Horn from the Department of Conservation (DOC).  DOC is looking to eradicate mice, goats and cats from Auckland Island, one of the islands we will visit on our trip.  Stephen said they would have to have huts for the team to stay in for 2 weeks at a time, helicopter sheds and a tanker with helicopter pads because of the weather. There would be a team of at least 20 people. Stephen led the 'Million Dollar Mouse' eradication on Antipodes Island (whic...

Travelling to Invercargill for "Birding Down Under"

We're off on our 18 day boat trip to the sub-Antarctic islands, halfway between New Zealand and Antarctica. Anna drove me to the airport in her car which I had not been in before. I loved being driven by my daughter, and it is a cute car.  We had good chats and sushi (Anna’s favourite) just before she dropped me at the airport. I purchased some more memory cards for my camera at The Warehouse....

Tokyo Bicycle Tour

Today we go on a cycle tour recommended to us by Sarah V.   And it was very educational and fun.  Neil (our cycle guide) is from Ohio, has been living in Tokyo for ten years, and has owned Tokyo Bicycle Tours for six years.  The weather was kind.  Here is who was on the tour - with us were three Irishmen who are friends, now living in Sydney (Padraig, Brian and Kevin) - and Neil and us....

Meiji Shrine, and Japan v South Africa

We got picked up by Kenji again, and he firstly took us to Meiji Shrine.  This from Wikipedia: "Meiji Shrine, located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. Meiji Shrine is located in a forest that covers an area of 70 hectares (170 acres). This area is covered by an evergreen forest that consists of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, which were donated by people...

Exploring Tokyo with Kenji, and All Blacks v Ireland

Before the All Blacks play Ireland in the quarterfinal, we explore Tokyo by van with Kenie. We went to Ginza, famous for its shops. I saw this bridal one first....

Exploring Minato

We breakfast with Annette and Neal and then taxi to our Air Bn'b in Minamiazabu in Minato City (which is part of Tokyo City), where we will stay for ten days. There are six of us. The family who live there moves out for the guests. The address is 1-chōme-19-3 Minamiazabu, Minato City, Tōkyō-to 106-0047. Chris booked this for us all and wanted something different than a hotel. Chris arrives tonight and Renee in two days time....

First Day in Japan

We flew a direct Air NZ flight which left NZ at 12.05 am on 17th Oct and landed in Tokyo at 6am the same day (a 10 hour flight), NZ is 4 hours ahead. We met John Chisholm in the immigration queue at the airport. It is our first time in Japan. We took the train from the airport to Shinagawa Station. I thought the train might go faster - it took about 90mins. Here is a photo from the train - a high rise, and wires. It kind of looked like Lego land Japanese style....

Oct 8th-17th New Zealand

Oct 8th - Two sisters enjoy their Mummy. This is Joanna, Jeni and me....

Murchison, Nelson and Hamilton

We left Hokitika after the NEXT Forum (the day before this) and drove to Murchison to stay the night in an Air Bn'b we had booked. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive. Murchison is close to Inangahua Junction, where they had a big earthquake in 1968. This bridge crosses the mighty Buller River....

Perth River Valley (Whataroa) and The Cacophony Project (Day 2)

The final day involved an hour's bus drive south from Hokitika, and why the NEXT Forum was held in Hokitika - to the Perth River Valley (Whataroa).  This is where ZIP (Zero Invasive Predators) has a goal of eradicating all the possums in a 12,000 hectare area and aim to keep it completely free of possums because of the river and mountain boundaries and the high tech monitoring they do.  There are some very exciting developments in this groundbreaking project.  Here's the lowest pa...

Day One in Hokitika - Taranaki Mounga, Project Janszoon, Predator Free Wellington and Te Manahuna Aoraki

After breakfast the leaders of each project took turns to update us all.  A warning, this is a very long blog - so skip through to the bits that interest you.  I found it all super interesting.First up was Taranaki Mounga. This from the NEXT website: "Mt Taranaki is the revered volcanic peak at the heart of Taranaki region in the North Island of NZ. It dominates the region, a symbol of belonging and strength for all who call Taranaki home. The Mounga affects Taranaki’s weather, ...

NEXT Environmental Project People

We are in Hokitika for the NEXT Foundation Environmental Project Forum from the 4th to the 6th of October.   The Forum is being held in Hokitika because Zero Invasive Predators have a project in the Perth River Valley close to Hokitika that we will go to see. Some of us are intending go into the valley if the weather is fine on Sunday. This forum was for hearing updates and meetings between Predator Free Wellington, Project Janzoon, Taranaki Mounga, Te Manahuna Aoraki, Cacophony  ...

Our Day Flying to Nelson (Whakatū), then Driving to Hokitika.

I was transfixed by what was out the window of the plane. What a day to show off Aotearoa.  From Napier to Wellington - Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro (in the distance), and the Tararua Ranges in the foreground. ...

Time in Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) and Napier (Ahuriri)

Oct 1st - 3rd.  Time to do lots for Jeni.  A big list for her - bank, bills, pills, etc.  Also it is dear Alison Roberton's funeral today. She was our neighbour at our first Waiheke house for nearly ten years. Patrick and Lesley who we shared the house with also there. It was a lovely celebration of Alison's life. I would meet her at Charlie Farley's for a coffee. I would chat to her over the fence. She would come for drinks. She was one of those people you catch up with at Xmas, ...

More Waiheke, and a Youngies Dinner with a Difference

28th -30th September.  Bill and I ride to Sandy Bay via Palm Beach in Waiheke. This is Palm Beach....

Anna and Mark come to Waiheke, and All Blacks play SA in RWC

21st - 27th September. So great to have Anna and Mark to stay last night and hang with them. Lucky me. I love the way these guys have fun, and think....

Auckland and Waiheke

17th - 20th September.  I have appointments with dentist, doctor, meet with AUT students, visit Mum and catch up with friends. I remembered to get this photo. It was so great to catch up with Diny and James....