Big Bird

Meet Big Bird, a pet ostrich Sue brought home about five years ago from Westhaven (a remote area we flew over last week in Peter's airplane). Sue got Big Bird from a man who had to get rid of him because he would stalk his wife and she was afraid to leave their house. The man had placed a classified ad stating that Big Bird was free to a good home. Sue ended up with the ostrich as she was the only person who didn't want to cook him and eat him for dinner. Big Bird now lives with her female llama herd. Sue's quite fond of the bird, but she also knows her limits. "I don't trust him," she said. "You don't turn your back on Big Bird." Well, I guess you do if you're Amber.

Moving on to more gentler animals, Amber and Sue have been working with three female llamas -- Amber Rose, Ruby and Pollyanna.


Amber, who gave the girls haircuts yesterday, and Sue have been grooming the llamas and taking them for walks at places like the Maitai Valley (above), the mud flats across from where they live and even in the gentle waves at the beach (below).


Now moving on to one of Ediza's favorite animals -- puppy dogs. We got Ediza and Sue's four Spoodles (a mix between a poodle and a cocker spaniel) to all sit down long enough for a quick photo.


Whether it's about breeding Spoodles or transporting Big Bird to his new home in Nelson, Sue always has a funny story to share.

Sue and Peter, who've been married for the last 40 years, are both originally from Nelson, but have lived in other areas like the North Island and even the island of Nauru in the South Pacific. They built their dome house here in Nelson 24 years ago. Their house has a great view of the Tasman Bay and they also get some cool sunsets like this one.


Peter and Sue have seven children who have grown up to do all sorts of neat things. One is a pilot, one is an artist, another is a champion chess player. One of their daughters, Virginia, lives nearby with her husband, Jerome, and their two children, Katie and Isaac.


Ediza and Katie have become good friends playing together over the past two weeks and I'm sure will miss each other.


We'll be leaving Nelson tomorrow and heading down to Llama Lookout in Christchurch. Thanks to everyone here for their hospitality. That means you, too, Big Bird!