This afternoon we went for a walk down to the beach and, as it was a really low tide, we were able to explore the outer rock pools. We discovered our first starfish, which Grace has been searching for ever since she got her NZ wildlife book, and the kids had a great time getting as wet as possible. 

We also found dinner.

And, just like the last lot of mussels we collected from the same beach, we discovered that some of them had pearls inside (the NZ 10c coin is the same size as the old Australian 1c).

 

Today we met Uncle Gamo, Aunty Neeta and Samuel (aka Ramo, Praneeta, and their week-old bub) at the Botanic Gardens for lunch. While we were there, we had a very interesting time feeding the resident ducks. 

Grace got quite a shock, as these ducks were not the timid Jerrabomberra variety that we are accustomed to. Rather, they were more of the rip-the-food-bag-out-of-your-hand-variety that, in the beginning, terrified the living daylights out of her. 

She did get her own back, however, by cheerfully throwing their food into the pond and making the psychotic little buggers work for their lunch. 

After lunch, we went to watch Bern's cousin Louise, who got married in Dunedin today, as she posed for photos outside the church. Grace thought she was a very beautiful bride, and had a wonderful time playing with the other little girls who had attended the wedding. Much to Grace's delight, she discovered two fairy toadstools in the church garden. Charlie was equally delighted with her discovery, immediately grabbing one and hurling it over the railing. Thankfully she managed to save the remaining  toadstool, because 'fairies actually live in there don't you know!'

With the weather closing in, it was the perfect opportunity to head back to our cosy cottage and curl up in front of a roaring fire with a good book. Not, however, if you are married to my husband. Today we headed off to an isolated little beach which, coupled with the weather, reminded me very much of Dingle. 

Despite hoping to spy a hoiho, or yellow eyed penguin, the only sign of the penguin colony was a series of funny little penguin tracks leading up into the sand dunes. There were, however, plenty of rock formations, sea caves and rock pools to explore.

Not to mention all the weird and wonderful things to discover.  Like incredible giant kelp, squishy orange sea anemones, and bizarre pink things on stalks, hanging off the rocks. 

Unfortunately we also made the grisly discovery of a dead penguin washed up on the beach, which ignited a great deal of discussion and saw Grace hypothesis all manner of potential death scenarios. Thankfully, Bern took her back to the same beach later this evening, and after waiting very patiently in the freezing cold, they were finally rewarded with some live specimens.

So today began with a spot of trespassing. All in the name of freshwater crayfish. 

 

Alas, despite their careful trap baiting and setting, Bern ended up catching the only crayfish of the day by hand as he waded up the stream. 

Which Grace promptly named Crabby. And assumed we would be keeping him for a pet. 

And so was most put out when informed that we intended eating Crabby if we caught enough of his friends to keep him company in the pot. 

Fortunately for Crabby, the only other thing they did manage to trap was an incredibly slippery, ugly little fish.

Which turned out to be a rare Banded Kokopu, which, according to Grace's NZ Wildlife book, 'don't have scales but are covered instead by a layer of mucus'. That would explain why it was so slippery (eeewwww).

Then it was a quick visit to Purakanui Falls on the way home, where Charlie insisted on walking the entire way, and both children delighted the tourists with their cheery greetings. 

Today we drove an hour and a half south from Taieri Mouth to explore the gorgeous Catlins District, a dramatic and beautiful part of the south eastern coast of the South Island. We booked a lovely little cottage situated on a local sheep farm, and used it as a base for all of our exploring.

Note to self...always check that some cheeky bugger isn't using the toilet before taking a photo of your holiday cottage... 

Once we had unpacked, we headed to Cannibal Bay (named after human remains were discovered in the sand dunes, an unfortunate name for a stunning location), where it is possible to observe sea lions on the beach.  

Grace, armed with binoculars, led the way, with her little shadow hot on her heels.

It wasn't long before we encountered the first of two sea lions. Given it was such a hot day, they were attempting to bury down into the sand to keep cool, so paid us little attention. 

The smaller of the two, however, growled at me when I got a bit too close while taking a photo. Scared the bejesus out of me and sent Grace, who suddenly realised why they were called sea lions, running for the dunes. Until we told her that they also lived in the sand dunes, at which point she decided it was time to go back to the car. 

Remember those human remains I mentioned before? Poor fellow was probably eaten by a sea lion. Or scared to death by one. 

Finally, after weeks of anticipation, our first chrysalis started to darken a few days ago.

Then this afternoon I happened to notice the chrysalis wriggling, and had just enough time to round up the troops before...

 

Meet our very first butterfly, the beautiful Princess Aurora. No prizes for guessing who named it.

Today it reached a balmy 18 degrees, so this afternoon we took the kids for a swim at a sheltered spot we found up the road from where we are staying.

While Grace swam and Bern collected mussels, Charlie taught himself how to throw rocks into the water. Then quite happily spent the entire time perfecting his technique, thankfully missing his sister. Just.
 

And, quite pleased with himself for learning such a valuable new skill, he applauded each throw.

Grace, having given up trying to extract hermit crabs from their shells, was very cross to discover her towel had been left at the car. But who needs a towel when you find Daddy's shirt lying on the beach, nice and dry?

Today Bern took five loads of washing into the laundromat in town. It's not so bad really. The laundromat is actually part of a BP petrol station, so you can grab a tank of fuel and a coffee, then read the newspaper while you wait. 

It can also be quite cut-throat, as Bern found out today. Not fast enough retrieving your washing from the machine? It gets dumped on the bench. Even if you are there. Not fast enough re-loading your machine? They dump your washing on the bench and then use it themselves. Even if you are there. Let's just say they were lucky it was Bern doing the washing today and not me.

So this afternoon, with all of our washing clean and dry, the kids pitched in to help Bern bring it in from the line. Grace is very into folding washing at the present time. 
 

I just kind of wish she wouldn't necessarily fold it on the ground. You know, being freshly washed and all. I guess beggars can't be choosers. At least it wasn't the tea towels.

Charlie was also busy unfolding all of the folded washing, emptying the peg basket, and trying to pull the sheets off the line. And when he was sprung by his mother?

Since we were all awake by 6.30am this morning, we headed down to the beach to make the most of the beautiful sunrise, collect some paua abalone, and try out our much-loved digital SLR camera (thank you Malcolm!).

And yes, it was a wee bit chilly, but worth every layer of clothing.

While Bern waded out to search the deeper rockpools, the kids and I explored the beach.

Grace discovered a very interesting-looking sea cave, although on closer inspection she declared it smelt funny and wasn't a real sea cave because it did not contain a bear.

Despite my best attempts to convince her otherwise, she then decided it was time to go for a swim. With her jersey and beanie on. Her verdict? 'It's quite cold, Mummy. Come in and try for yourself.  You need to be brave like me. You'll love it!' I politely declined.  

Eventually our hunter gathered returned, paua-less, but with a nice feed of mussels instead. I know what we're having for tea tonight!