63 and free

Rather busy day yesterday, Feb 5th 2023. Turns out there is A LOT to see in Oamaru.

First up was a morning trip on a little urban train out to the Oamaru Blue Penguin colony. This is a highly successful program to grow the population of the littlest penguins on earth. We learned we had to return at dusk to see most of the colony return to their nests.

There’s a cost involved but it’s an organized event including bleachers. Not entirely sure that’s right, but the funds help the colony, so it seemed like a good cause.

Then we ran across something called “Steampunk HQ”. Apparently there is an entire steampunk culture, and the devotees are very passionate about it.

It was “Mad Max” on steroids, and rather intriguing. When we get to England someday, our friend Kate will attempt to explain it to us. It will be a major task.

As we were wandering the historical district that the HQ resides in, we heard live music…and the lyrics of the most visual song in history flooded my mind:

🎶 “I followed the sound of a jukebox coming from up the levee,
All of a sudden, I could hear somebody whistling from right behind me.
I turned around, and she said,
“Why do you always end up down at Nick’s Cafe?”
I said, “Uh, I don’t know, the wind just kinda pushed me this way”…🎶 *

That always happens when I hear music in the distance.

So, the music wafted from a lovely pub that specialized in Belgian beer. It was fabulous.

While touring Bernie overheard comments about a Scottish castle that was not noted in her travel books or blogs.

Pippin sprung into action. If there was a castle we were going to see it!

Turns out there is. Called “Riverstone Castle”, it has been built from the flat land north of Oamaru. If you give a lady who is passionate about castles and has unlimited energy and budget, this is what can be created!

It is truly mind-blowing.

Photography is not allowed inside the castle, so my photos are restricted to outside shots. The island the castle is built on was constructed of materials carved out of the earth to form the lake/moat.

Believe me, the inside was incredible.

For more information:

https://www.riverstonekitchen.co.nz/riverstone-castle

Later that night we returned to the Blue Penguin colony to watch the little fellas return. They arrived far later than anticipated, cutting into my bedtime. 😠 But you only live once, right?!

Needless to say, the uncoordinated “fairy penguins” were absolutely adorable. Unfortunately, photos and videos were not permitted, so I pulled these off the internet:

* https://youtu.be/4KP9PNSUME4