Another of this part of the world's natural delights is the penguin. We took a stroll over to the spot where the little chaps are alleged to come in from the sea after hard day's fishing. The spot itself is terrific, an ancient petrified forest. I was expecting lots of big rock trees everywhere, so was a bit disappointed that its actually just a flat bit of rock at the bottom of a cliff. You can make out that the lines in the rock are surprisingly straight (ex-tree trunks), and if you go down and close, some of the rock does have a grain, which is weird. So its not actually like a forest, but it is spectacular. The biggest waves I've ever seen come crashing into this big flat section at the bottom of the cliff. So in amongst the rain, I'm now getting a taste of salt water also.
Its about now that I realise that watching the penguins arrive, isn't actually a science. Marine Biology isn't really a science, is it? This could take some time. I look around at my few fellow penguin watchers and realise that they knew they were in for the long haul. Big anoraks with hoods. Jay starts to realise that this is a bit boring, and I think I should have insisted he do zip his jacket up when we got out of the car instead of saying 'well, you'll get cold then' and leaving it at that. Much moaning ensues and we leave, Penguin count zero.
Annie really wanted to see some penguins, so we guilt Jay out on some other matter and get him to promise to wrap up properly and give it another go the next night. Wearing just about all the clothes we have, we go back to the same spot. Within a few minutes, an amazing thing happens. From this watery hades, in which I would be repeatedly smashed onto bits of fossilised timber if I ever tried to swim in it, comes the evil chicken dude from Wallace and Grommit's The Wrong Trousers. Sure he's wet, and he looks absolutely freezing, but he's made it. He's now just hanging around, getting himself back together for a bit before he actually goes home. Same as us. Jay's promise extended to one penguin so is now permitted to whine about being cold, penguins being boring, and wanting to go home. Magic penguin count one. Haven't seen a drop of rain since.
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