MtBruce Wildlife reserve. in 2014

**Note - many of these pictures are through glass or netting which has affected the quality. But it gives you the idea I hope ;0)

We had a public holiday last Thursday. Waitagi day. The nearest thing we have to a New Zealand day. It celebrates the sighning of the treaty of Waitangi between Maori and the crown many years ago.

We took the opportunity of a long weekend and had Friday off annual leave.

So the Thursday we headed up to Palmerston North and visited the mother in law. Did a few chores and had lunch at a cafe on the outskirts of town.

Then headed out to the Wairappa. The next day we stayed at the MtBruce wildlife centre. Lovely place to sit or wander around watching a variety of native birds and othe native wildlife.

We even got to sit outside the cafe there and watch the antics of our native parrot the Kaka. As they strove to steel food the patrons were sworn not to let them have.

Saturday brought in the rain and while we went out for supplies etc. the day became a rest up day.

Today, Sunday, we decided to can potatoes. So that's what we did. McD doing most of the work while I emptied potato bags and tubs we had spuds growing in and then washed and peeled them for McD to chop and put into bottles. A lot of work but hopefully worth while to have them later though the winter.

It's great to have our surplus crops preserved in some way. Canning allows us to preserve food in a way that then needs no electricity suc as the freezer. Should the 'Big Shake' happen we are that much more prepared too.

![enter image description here](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/dinzie/2014%20General/DSC01642_zpsf111c750.jpg "enter image

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