Southern Sunset

Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island, NZ. Feb 2009. Ajr

When I was on Stewart Island earlier this week, I had a lovely experience - a night kiwi spotting tour, which took us from Oban and Half Moon Bay, around the coastline and into Paterson Inlet to Glory Cove. It was just on dusk when we left Oban and as the skies closed in we were treated to one of Stewart Island's famous sunsets. This was just the beginning of it. And yes, we did see kiwis - three in fact, roaming the lonely sands of remote Ocean Beach, pecking for sandhoppers in the seaweed. It's the only place in New Zealand where you can see them (on a tour) in the wild, roaming beaches foraging for food.

Boatshed Bounty

Half Moon Bay, Stewart Island. Feb 2009. Ajr

I love a good boatshed - there's something very appealing to me about their simple architecture - and on Stewart Island in New Zealand's deep south, you can still find plenty of them. This pretty little cluster sits on the edge of Half Moon Bay in Oban, the main settlement on the island. www.stewartisland.co.nz

It's A Sign - or Two

Oban, Stewart Island, NZ. Feb 2009 Ajr

Loved this gathering of signs - complete with resting gull - at Oban on Stewart Island.

A perfect blue-skied day helped too of course www.stewartisland.co.nz

School's In

Oban, Stewart Island, NZ Feb 2009. Ajr

This, believe it or not, is a classroom!

The lucky kids at Stewart Island Primary School get to have some of their lessons on the beach at Half Moon Bay in Oban, which is directly across the road from their school. When I was there on Wednesday, the teacher led her 'brood' across the road and set about taking their sports lesson in the sand. Delightful. They must be the luckiest school kids in New Zealand. www.stewartisland.co.nz