Bit of a Blog : Solstice : Auckland – Fremantle – Sydney : February 14th 2016

[NorbertsNiece]

Excellent shots.:D

 

Thanks :D

 

Have finally managed to finish uploading the Akaroa pics and will post here later.

 

Clocks go back another hour tonight so will be 11 hours ahead of the UK....

 

Here's today's 'Daily'.

02-22 - At Sea 2 (1).pdf

[I'm from Oz]

Linda, head's up for your arrival in Sydney - temperature in Sydney is forecast to be 32 deg C on Wednesday :eek:

 

Remember your sunscreen and don't plan too much walking after about 10am :D.

 

I suggest using a brolly as a sun shade too :)

 

Sunset at 7.39pm. From Athol Buoy you will have amazing sunset pic opportunities so I reckon you will need to be back on board by 7pm.

 

Enjoy

[GUT2407]

Linda, tell your friends that there is a lunch/play at the Opera House on March 20. The play is Faulty Towers.

 

Workd premiere I believe.

 

We've just booked it for August at Roslyn Packer Theatre in Hickson Road.

[GUT2407]

Linda' date=' head's up for your arrival in Sydney - temperature in Sydney is forecast to be 32 deg C on Wednesday :eek:

 

Remember your sunscreen and don't plan too much walking after about 10am :D.

 

I suggest using a brolly as a sun shade too :)

 

Sunset at 7.39pm. From Athol Buoy you will have amazing sunset pic opportunities so I reckon you will need to be back on board by 7pm.

 

Enjoy[/quote']

 

And even hotter later in the week I believe.

[I'm from Oz]

And even hotter later in the week I believe.

Yep. 34 on Thursday :D - lying low!

[Cassicruiser]

Lucky you're not in Melbourne tomorrow - forecast of 38! But nice and mild and around 23 later in the week. Typical Melbourne - all over the place.

[GUT2407]

Yep. 34 on Thursday :D - lying low!

 

I'm in the Hunter and they're saying 40+ here Thursday and similar Friday and Saturday.

[NorbertsNiece]

Just sayin'

 

[MicCanberra]

Fantastic shot.:D

[happy trailer]

Wow! Great shot, Linda!

 

Happily following along 😀

[FloatSomeMore]

Beautiful!!!

[CRUISEBOY305]

Just sayin'

 

 

The water looks so smooth :eek:

[NorbertsNiece]

The road down to Flea Bay is as steep and winding as the road over the top

 

 

 

There is a home with many ducks....

 

 

......and very many sheep who come running towards us

 

 

My guide, Kevin, is the source of their excitement as food is supplied!

 

 

Kitted out with life jacket and 'skirt'...... I am to sit in the front of the 2 person kayak.

 

[NorbertsNiece]

I am loaned a waterproof camera case...... my view with the skirt fitted making my lower half watertight.

 

 

We are given a safety demonstration

 

 

I'll be honest with you...... taking pictures in a two person kayak when sat at the front, trying to balance, keeping hold of the camera, focusing and actually locating the subject is not the easiest thing I have ever done. Was not able to 'snap' any of the seals or cormorants.

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

There are nests dotted around the area for the penguins to avail themselves of..... they don't migrate.

 

 

This fella..... is blind.

He is now 12 weeks old

He was found and rescued.

They need to find a zoo to take him on......

They take him to the water to swim regularlyy otherwise his coat will lose its ability to be waterproof.

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 22, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[MicCanberra]

Wonderful, just love penguins.:D

[NorbertsNiece]

Back on the pier

 

 

 

 

Sailaway

 

 

 

[GUT2407]

Love the Pics.

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

[MicCanberra]

Were they cleaning the deck? it certainly doesn't look like heavy weather.

[cjcruiser27]

Just sayin'

 

 

What a COOL picture! I am enjoying all of them actually :) I LOVED my trip over there when I went and Australia seems to keep calling me back :D It takes a lot of $$$$ but worth it to me..my family seems to think I'm nuts!! They just don't know what they are missing. Have fun in all of your travels:)

[NorbertsNiece]

Were they cleaning the deck? it certainly doesn't look like heavy weather.

 

Was very windy out on deck as I recall.

[coolchangeoz]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this blog and your photos are wonderful, brought back a lot of memories, we disembarked off the beautiful Solstice the day you embarked in Auckland.

Keep enjoying.

[NorbertsNiece]

We held a CC fundraiser for Dick who passed away pre-cruise, we walked 10 laps of the track, and raised $342 (which includes the winnings from a CC slot pull).

 

It was requested we donate to Island Reach via their website : http://www.islandreach.org/

 

I've not been able to forward the donation as their donation page appears broken or maybe it's just the connection here....

 

I've reached out to them on FB. An email to them has bounced.

 

Can someone please try their donation link for me and tell me if you have succeeded in opening it.

 

We had a super turnout for the walk and really appreciated the supportive cheers of those who sat and encouraged us on!!

 

Edited February 23, 2016 by NorbertsNiece