The day started with showers, fortunately our room was a stones throw from the breakfast restaurant, in the stables.

The stables boasted a wide range of continental buffet food and a fake horse.

The Kiwi breakfast, as seen here was not as good as our Queenstown fare.

We passed through the ornate gardens on our way to the castle tour, the gardens have historic status, containing a number of rare plants.

Funny to see a group of tourists studying " the dining room", where last nights dinner was served.

Ian in the drawing room, The house was originally built by an Austraian banker, William Larnoch, he married his first wife Eliza and was blessed with 6 children, sadly Eliza died suddenly aged 38, William married his wifes half sister Mary, soon after..She too died aged 38, once again leaving his younger children motherless.

The ornate ceilings are not painted, the plaster is tinted.

Finally William married his 3rd wife Constance, 20 years his junior. His grown up son Donald is said to have begun an affair with Constance, a few years later William took his own life using his pistol.

The tower offers a panoramic view of the grounds.

Goodbye Larnoch Castle & thanks for everything.

Next stop Pukikura, in search of Blue Penguins, unfortunately dusk is the best time to see them, not 11am, so we ventured to the view points & enjoyed watching the Gulls with their chicks.

Maureen struggled to place the roads and us in the right places, we went a little "off road" and found some interesting view points, typically at the ends of unsealed & scary roads.

A stop for a coffee at The Albatross viewing area, was equally fruitless, they must be hiding with the pengins, the exhibits in the visitors centre were interesting enough though.

We stopped at Sandymount recreational reserve & explorer Ian made for the lookout point, battling his way through the overgrown Gladdioli!

At the top he was not disappointed, another set of stunning views.

Our Portobello Motel cottage was bright & pretty, love the free laundry.

Our host informs us a burst water main may mean we lose water supply. We take an early bath & wander into the high street, seems everyone in the hospitality business is taking advantage by closing early. The Fish & chip shop remains unaffected..So back to our cabin for tea, mmm fish & chips & a bottle of Merlot, almost heaven.

Goodnight dear reader, see you soon xxx