You know the saying…All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy. Well, there is nothing very dull on Charisma anymore. I even polished the BBQ and the oil lantern in the main cabin. And Bob put another shiny coat of paint on the water generator today.

But I am avoiding the point…today we played! For a few hours! We went and met the only kiwi in New Zealand that is allowed to be touched and viewed up close and in person! Sparky is a one legged kiwi that was rescued 14 years ago by the fine folks at the Whangarei Bird Rescue. Robert and Robyn have spent their lives taking care of injured birds and boy does he love to talk about it! It was fascinating.

Robert at the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Center with "Sparky" the kiwi. He is 14 years old, was caught in a trap as a youngster and lost his leg. The live for up to 40 years.

Very cool to see Sparky digging for earthworms.

Bob got up close with Sparky the kiwi.

Robert is amazing - he can calm even a Harrier Hawk that can sink his talons through your fingers if you're not careful!

I have been enthralled by the bird songs in New Zealand as we hike so it was great to hear more about these birds. Especially the tuis. Even if they did tell me to go away…three times! Seriously! While Robert was talking about the mooreporks (owls) in the next cage I stayed and talked to the tuis. These tuis have learned to talk and one of them clearly told me to “Go away!” Three times before flying to the back of his cage. Ouch, that hurt!

It was a nice break on a rainy, cool day. It is hard to get much accomplished when a squall comes barreling through every hour or so. But we did get more done this morning. I am almost done polishing all of Charisma. Our really clever dock mates keep reminding me as they pass by each day, that it will soon get dirty. No worries. We take care of her, Charisma takes care of us.

But I will admit it…I am tired of boat work and wonder what fingernails look like clean. Or what they look like at all…this work is really tough on your nails. But Charisma is smiling…and that makes us smile too!