Oamaru

Hello again from a very sunny Oamaru!!

Its Sunday lunchtime here and after a very pleasant stroll along the pacific ocean this morning we are just waiting for the bus to take us to Christchurch! I cant believe it, our last bus journey & only 2 more days in NZ :-(

Oamaru has just been a one night wonder, but what a night!! Its a funny little place really, they cool it a city but is probably no bigger than Brentwood high st!! But it is famous for its penguins, yes penguins! Real ones and all, both yellow and blue eyed colonies which make their way into the harbour at night. So last night, instead of paying the $20 to go on the official penguin watch, we put on the woolie hats and did our own David Attenborough bit and were succesfull!!!! We saw all the penguins, probably a good 100 on the pier and then we wondered back through the lanes and saw 3, just toddiling along!! Was very exciting and worth the cold! Have never seen a penguin in the wild before!! Thanks must go to the lady in the most gorgeous jewellery shop ever,who pointed us in the right direction!!

So in all this excitment we treated ourselves to a trip to the local pub and dessert!! Well, it was not planned, but my, the warm chocolate mud cake with cream, ice cream and chocolate snaps satisifed every craving possible and was one of the most amazing things i have EVER tasted!! It did mean that our trip to the bakery this morning was called off, but its the traditional NZ pie for dinner tomorrow if we can find a good bakery in Christchurch!! It is all about the food here, their cafe culture is amazing, I would never have thought!

Anyway best go have some lunch (Cheese on toast if your interested!!) and then catch this bus!

Have a good rest of your weekend and everyone please cross their fingers for Lewis, sounds like he is going to need it!!!

Ellen xxxx