Day 18 - Sheep World and Mangawhai Heads

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Anne Feeding Lamb

Today we left Waitomo Caves for the Northland. We originally wanted to spend more time in this area since it's supposed to have the best beaches in all of New Zealand. Unfortunately the weather has not cooperated with us, it's been cloudy with periods of rain for the last few days and looks like it will continue. We'll visit the beaches tommorow but I don't think we'll be laying out in the sun.

Our first stop today through is Sheep World. This visit has been high on Anne's list since we started looking into the trip. Where else in New Zealand can you see sheep sheared, see sheep dog demonstrations, feed numerous barnyard animals, including lambs, horses, pigs, ducks, chickens, deer, alpacas and eels (ok eels are not barnyard animals), and buy lots of souvieners. Apparently lots of places, as Anne found out, but none had quite the tacky tourist appeal (and official government sanction) of Sheep World.

After Sheep World we headed on to our next lodgeings, Milestone Cottages, in Mangawhai Heads. We checked out the local beach (no beach glass but lots of shells), had a nice dinner, played two games of Contract rummy (where Tony did not win by too much and Anne did not lose by too much) and then Anne and Tony finished off the evening with an early Matthew Brodreick film, "Ladyhawke", VERY 80's and VERY cheesy.

Tomorrow we plan to spend some more time on the beach and then head back into Auckland to stay at the same B&B we stayed after we arrived.

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Photos

Oh Deer
Hamster made a friend!

Anne Lamb
With tenderness, Anne feeds the soft cuddly lamb.

Hamster at Sheepworld
Come ON..... shear the sheep already!!

YESSS
Hamster is satisfied, the shearing has begun.

Eel feeding
Yes, those are eels coming right up and eating out of the hands (tongs) of those children. Dozens of them... very cool!

Card Master
Nice Deal Hamster.... Tony won 9 out of 14 rounds, but unfortunately, not in the right combos, so he still doesn't tie or hold the record.