Nugget Point and Penguins

 February 4th

I really recommend this camp site. So quiet we slept late. I suppose if there was one thing that could be improved and that was to put in another shower. One just wasn't enough, queues formed last night. For $2, 5 minutes of hot water was supplied, some campers were using the whole 5 minutes just because they could regardless of those waiting, they were going to get their moneys worth.

We have made a decision about Cathedral Bay. It would be silly for us not to go back and do it. This is a lovely part of the South Island and the beaches to die for so no hardship in hanging around. On Monday 6th low tide will be at 9.30 am and according to the website, the gate will be open by 8 am.

Before we left Hill View we booked in for another night. The Yellow Eyed Penguins appear at Roaring Bay which is not far from Nugget Point Lighthouse, and the best time to see them arrive is between 6 pm and 9 pm. Couldn't miss that opportunity now could I.

We ran out of cash, Hill View campsite only excepts cash and our last $20 went to pay for tonight. The only place with a hole in the wall was Balclutha, about 20 km away. The one thing that struck me as we entered the outskirts was how green the River Clutha was. This river is the longest in the South Island and second longest in the North Island. The Emerald green hue comes from glacial melting at its source above Lake Wanaka, it looked stunning. Shame I didn't get a better picture. We will be going through Balclutha again in the next few days so will try to get a better photo then.

 Whilst in Balclutha we went window shopping. The plan was to look but don't buy. Well we failed miserably because a great tin sign was found. It will have pride of place on FS.

Nugget Point Lighthouse, yep another lighthouse but this one had the most amazing views. The coastal road to it was a windy and full of character. Narrow lanes on sharp bends with drops to one side and a mirror placed strategically so you could see what was coming.Then there were the hilly bits. Think roller coaster when you are just about to go over the edge without knowing what was beyond. That was the experience we had. Fabulous road with cracking views of the beaches.

Isn't this great? All made from wood.

Nugget Point was packed. Of course, this was the weekend, we tend to forget what day it is these days. This is also New Zealand's long bank holiday weekend, Waitangi Day. This from Wiki

Waitangi Day, the national day of New Zealand, marks the anniversary of the initial signing – on 6 February 1840 – of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is regarded as the founding document of the nation. The first Waitangi Day was not celebrated until 1934, and it was made a national public holiday in 1974

The walk to the lighthouse had amazing views and many a seal was seen swimming in the clear water of the Pacific Ocean.

Rocky outcrops also had plenty basking in the sun

What a special place this was. We could easily have spent an hour just admiring the wave action on the seaweed, it was mesmerising.

Nugget Point lighthouse

Of course, we took the inevitable selfie.

I hate to continually rub it in to all those back in the UK but today the temperature rose even higher. A recording of 34 degrees was achieved at the Nugget point car park and apparently on our return to the campsite, we were told their barometer reading was up to 36 degrees. It was a necessity then to have an ice cream.

Back toward Kaka point, the beach there was crowded. Lifeguards also on duty, the first we have seen since our arrival in New Zealand.

Ice cream bought it was back to the campsite for a couple of hours to wait for the time to see those Penguins.

By 6 pm we had parked at Roaring Bay, walked down a very steep track to the viewing hide.

Hide is middle left of the photo

A few people already there as were two DOC volunteers. We took our place by the windows and waited. An hour later and still no sign. 7 45 pm and finally a penguin on the beach but a long way in the distance.

Another half hour to wait until another was spotted swimming toward the hide. This time we got a good look at it. One of the only pair to breed here this year, the total number to frequent this beach was only 4, plus the one chick still in the nest. Rising sea temperature and a virus affecting the chicks was the explanation as to why so few numbers.We were lucky to see two today.

This was one of the chick's parent. Note it has a very full crop

Making it's way up to the nest.

Time to leave the hide and climb to the car park. I actually made the climb in one go without stopping. That for me was an achievement.

And wildlife

Silvereye