Timaru to Oamaru - Seals, Shags & a Shy Penguin

Wednesday 25 February

Time to pack up and leave the galloping horses and the working Tomkinsons - Russ got his hours in then we said adieu to Abby & Harley (Jez was already in the office), and hit the road south to Oamaru, with an obligatory stop at Ubake for travelling snacks and lunchtime pies. Reader - some of them hardly made it out the door, let alone to lunchtime!

We turned up at Old Bones and found it was quite busy - 4 others already in situ and many dogs - but we got two good spots and a big greeting from Ted the resident Border Terrorist who seemed to be in charge today. Lovely to meet Buddy again - here with Dick & Nicky who helped us out on our last visit - and fascinating to meet The Hoff, a miniature pinscher who was absolutely tiny but very friendly!

When Russ & Nickie had finished the rest of their day’s work we headed into town in search of penguins, seals and seabirds. First stop was naturally the Real Fruit Ice Cream stand at the harbour and then we set off exploring.

Oamaru did not disappoint - lovely stroll along Holmes Wharf where we watched the rowers out on the still waters of the harbour in 2s, 4s and even an 8. No seals at the end today, but crashing waves on the beach and the wharf as we headed back to land.

Then we tootled off around the bay to the penguin colony. Stopping along the way to watch a young Otago shag, or matapo, on the rocks below the path, and then his many compatriots along Sumpter Wharf which is their protected breeding sanctuary. There was one wee blue penguin in a hole under the rocks at the colony site, which we all squinted at excitedly and a bunch of seals basking languidly on the rocks. Another matapo was just sitting by the path on our way back - was he lost, drying off or just posing for photos, I'm not sure? ❤️

It would have been rude not to nip in for a quick beer at the Craftwork brewery with its dedicated Belgian decor, and Russ chose a "Flemish FLoozie" for Nickie!

Then back to Old Bones for flat chook for dinner on the picnic table behind Banjo and a reunion with Jenny & Warren, fellow Snowy owners who we met a year ago in Tekapo! Slightly embarrassed - they weren't expecting to see us here as my Facebook reports were running 2-3 days behind and they thought we were still up in the mountains!

(Note to self - at least the FB reports are almost up to date... adding this post to our Banjo's Odyssey blog on 23 March... almost a month late - doh!)