Blog

I have been busy with our shark conservation events for Friends for Sharks this week in Wellington, New Zealand and met two fantastic ladies who I just have to introduce you to.We were due to be speaking at Charles Fleming Ryman’s retirement village and I had high hopes for the day, as it was our 50th event! Unfortunately the area had suffered a power cut all day and we found out we had no mains electricity and no battery charge left in either of our laptops for our talks (that’s six year old laptops for you!).The residents were in high spirits regardless of this and we decided to go ahead and give our talks without slides or videos. I just couldn’t stop smiling when two residents announced loudly that they each had a banana, a good book and that was all they needed in life!Never mind that they couldn’t get back to their rooms because the lifts were broken or that they had no power all day – they were an absolute hoot to be around and I couldn’t stop smiling from that moment onwards. I was bowled over by their humour and enthusiasm and it just went to show that you can be full of life at any age if you choose the right attitude.I hope I have their positivity in the years to come…I will make sure I am armed with a banana and a good book just in case.

I have been travelling through Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura and Hanmer Springs in New Zealand this past week in our cosy campervan and I couldn't resist sharing this tree fern stump we found alongside the Queen Charlotte Track.

We had decided to spend a week exploring the top of the South Island, as we had a break in our Friends for Sharks events schedule, and Momorangi Camp was the perfect base. It was incredibly peaceful relaxing at the water's edge and we saw a number of New Zealand Fur Seals enjoying the sunshine and crystal clear waters. We hadn't expected to find such a cheerful tree fern amongst towering beech trees and other, huge tree ferns when we went walking.