Empire Backpackers, 13 Thames St., Oamaru, $40 single room

Tuesday, March 19: A bit clearer in the morning, although still quite cold, becoming cloudier in the evening

Steampunk Museum, Oamaru, exposure bracket

Today was a bit of a day for odds and ends. On the way into Oamaru had the tyre pressures checked – front right was down to 16 psi, which probably explains the recent fuel consumption. Leaky old air delivery system had to be operated by the attendant himself as I could not work out how to let the tyre down again. Will have to check this again tomorrow to see that there is no leak.

Photoshoppe, Victorian Precinct, Oamaru

Then it was a fairly short trip into Oamaru. Stopped at the i-SITE to get the location of the library and it was just down the street, only the sign was in the process of being put up and first read just “Oamaru Pub” (“lic Library” followed in the course of the following internet session). My request for Vicki’s place in Timaru had gone unanswered, which left me with the question of what to do with the rest of the day. Booked into Empire and had to wait for my room, so started photographing the Victorian Precinct, as far as the buildings were reasonably lit. Then took up my hostel room and waited for a washing machine. After hanging up the washing had a bit of a snooze, and then went around most of the Victorian buildings, adding to my collection of buildings and signs. Then it was dinner of a Moroccan Pizza (lamb, onions, mint sauce) at Filadelfio’s – not sure that combination worked, and the dough was rather thick and the toppings were piled rather high – the medium for $23.50 was just OK. Lunch had been ham & chicken luncheon meat sandwiches with tomato sauce, chips & apple.

Then it was off to see – or at least try to see – the yellow-eyed penguins. Eventually found the place & photographed a seal and a Pacific seagull while waiting. Spotted one penguin and pointed it out to some other people – and that was about it. The tourists who had come down with a guide must have been very disappointed. In any case there were only five pairs on the entire beach, so that could have been a long & cold wait.

Opera House, Oamaru, exposure bracket

Am thinking of photographing the opera house to finish out the day. And then for tomorrow perhaps Lake Tekapo for two nights to get some star photography done; a hike up Mt Cook; & then Mt Somers & Rakaia Gorge before the holiday ends.

Just discovered the Travellers’ Grocery Discount Card from countdown. Ha! There is a reason for writing these things down.

While processing the photos got into a conversation with Fanny from Taiwan, which was interrupted by the fire alarm. Manager soon turned it off & claimed that someone was burning eucalyptus leaves but I suspect the species was closer to C. sativa that a eucalypt.

After photographing the opera house and transferring the photos to the hard drive went to bed around midnight.