Nicola's dad was one of a number of parent helpers who accompanied three classloads of kids to the Lindale Farm complex (just over 30 minutes away on the Kapiti Coast) for an end-of-year school outing. A pre-booked farm show saw them watching working dogs rounding up sheep, a sheep actually being shorn, an opportunity for some of the kids to hand-milk a cow (poor cow!), and others to bottle-feed 4-week-old lambs. Other animals they were able to observe on the property included highland cattle, alpacas and llamas.

They continued another 10 minutes or so up the road to the Nga Manu Nature Reserve. After having lunch the various groups did their own thing - feeding the ducks, enjoying walks through the bush, seeing creatures of the night (including a kiwi) in their own dark-house, everyone gathering together again for an eel-feeding demonstration. A very enjoyable - and, of course, immensely educational! - day out.

That's Nicola in the white top with the green hat .....