Quail Island

The last school trip and a good one today, Quail Island. Weather wasn't so great but that hardly dampened enthusiasm, out to Lyttleton we drove, jumped on the ferry, and then a 15 minute ride to the island. Cold and windy!

The kids of course loved being outside, and the 4.5km trek around the island didn't dampen enthusiasm. Not quite so much enthusiasm to read about the history and geology but we got there. Some key points.

* Lyttleton Harbour used to have a 1500m high volcano in it - wow
* The island was named after the now extinct native quail which were present in large numbers
* The island is most famous as a Quarantine station. For early settlers, as a leprosy colony for a small group that lived there in isolation from 1906-1925
* Of note, it was also used to quarantine and train dogs and ponies for Scott and Shackleton's expeditions. (Not that that helped Scott ...)

Fun and interesting day and great to be part of a school trip. More on the island from DoC.

Then home, several hours work, and out on my bike for a loop up Raupaki and the single track. Despite the howling wind it felt pretty good.