Another rainy day...

I feel like I haven't even left home, with the torrential rain we have been having over here, it is just like north west England . Conditions have worsened over night and the rain has really been coming down today.
The morning was spent at maungatautari sanctuary. This is a specially segregated area that has been separated with a tight mesh gate in order to remove mammals and therefor keep it an insect and avian area only. The weather was horrific and therefore we were not expecting to see much at all. We arrived at the southern entrance to the area at the southern enclosure. We chose to follow a 1 1/2 - 2hour trial that was called the "Rata Track." It lead to a 16m viewing platform, An aviary, and a brown teal pond winding around native trees in the forest. Although incredibly wet it was interesting and we saw a couple of birds. The most interesting was the Takahe. It looked like a prehistoric bird that belonged in Jurassic park. Although bred, tagged and brought up in the park, it was still interesting to see, and our kiwi team leader told us he had never seen one in the wild, so we revelled in the fact that only the 6 of us who braved the storm got to see it!!
After a little walking, many silver firs and few birds we jumped in the van and headed back to Castle Rock Lodge for lunch. A quick lunch and we headed to Hobbiton!! So exciting as a large amount of us are fans/followers of either The Hobbit and LOTR books, or at least films.
It was fantastic to walk around the set for the shire, and observe the area. Although a little steeply priced, it was an interesting afternoon out and enjoyable as the rain slowed a lot to provide clearer photos than expected, and we saw a fantastic sunset on the way home!!
The evening was filled with time in the spa, nachos for dinner, had mulled wine, and prepared for packing to leave the lodge. It has been a lovely first few days off volunteering!!