Otago Peninsula

The Otago Peninsula is a very diverse, hilly area to the east of Dunedin..  The peninsula supported whale and seal hunting in the 1880s, and after these industries subsided, the natural wildlife, including seals, penguins and albatrosses, gradually replenished itself. 


The northern side of the peninsula winds at sea level beside the harbour, giving views across the harbour to the city.

We drove back to Dunedin along the central ridge of the peninsula, which gave these views to the southern, wilder ocean side:














Eventually, the central road joined up with the harbour road, and we could see back to Dunedin again.
Visited 12th April 2012.

Dunedin: More Scottish than Edinburgh?

“Dunedin” is the old Gaelic word for “Edinburgh” and Dunedin wears its Scottish heritage with pride.  Many of the streets and buildings have Scottish names.


At the very centre of Dunedin, The Octagon, is situated a sculpture of (Scottish poet) Robert Burns, here seen with a seagull on his head.  The city hall clock tower chimes every quarter hour, and could be easily heard from our hotel.


It is claimed that the Dunedin Railway Station is the most photographed building in NZ.


In some ways, Dunedin reminded us of San Francisco, with its Victorian and Edwardian architecture.


Eat your heart out San Francisco!  The Guinness Book of Records has confirmed that Baldwin Street, Dunedin is the steepest street in the world.


Pretty Celtic, huh?
This Celtic Cross takes pride of place in central Dunedin.  Interestingly, it includes some Maori artwork.


It was a surprise, in the midst of all this Celticness, to come across the Dunedin Chinese Gardens  (see Pat in new Ashburton jumper).


I had this very delicious seafood chowder, while Pat had the local bluefin cod, at the Irish restaurant The Craic, which also serves whiskey and haggis at the end of one of the city walking tours.  Oh well, I suppose it’s Celtic.

View of Dunedin from our hotel window.
Visited on 11th-13th April 2012.

Moeraki Boulders, South Island, NZ.

The Moeraki Boulders are a group of perhaps 30 spherical boulders on Koekohe Beach on the south east coast of the South Island of New Zealand.


They originally formed in ancient sea floor sediments around 60 million years ago.


The larger boulders are around 2 metres in diameter.


The boulders are riddled with large cracks called “septaria” which radiate outwards from a hollow core.


The cracks are filled with layers of brown or yellow calcite.


This boulder is beginning to disintegrate, revealing its hollow core.


Jan with boulder.


Tourist planking on boulder.


It appears that someone has fashioned this very lifelike looking cormorant on a boulder for the benefit of tourists.


I am reminded of elephants and tortoises.


Giant seaweed near the boulders.
Yet more boulders:









Visited on Wednesday 11th April 2012.

Bucket list: Ride a penny farthing bicycle

On my list of “Things to do before I die” one of the many items is to ride a penny farthing bicycle, but up until now I haven’t found one.  Imagine my surprise to suddenly come across not one but three, in the touristy historical district of Oamaru on the south east coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
However, when presented with the opportunity, I didn’t seize the chance:
(a)  We didn’t have much time.
(b)  There wasn’t anyone around to ask.


(c)  They looked VERY SCARY.  Not only are the seat and handle bars about as far off the ground as my head, I couldn’t tell by looking how to get on, or more importantly, off.
I wonder if I will ever have another chance.


Even the local park featured a penny farthing sculpture.


Pat walking around the historical precinct of Oamaru.


Oamaru Harbour.

The world’s largest producer of spinning wheels

Ashburton, (nickname “Ashvegas”) 86 km south of Christchurch, NZ, claims to be the world’s largest producer of spinning wheels.  Pat suggested that they may be the only place in the world which now produces spinning wheels.
In the rain, it took us some time to locate some spinning wheels, but finally we found Ashford Village, fairly bristling with them. 


Some were outside (in the rain)….


…..and some were inside.


Our frenzied hunt for spinning wheels was not in vain.  While immersed in spinning wheels, and lots of other woolly things at Ashford Village, Pat bought himself this delicious natural undyed, hand knitted sweater for a very good price, in which I think he looks rather gorgeous.  Don’t you?

The car park at Ashford Village was adorned with some very beautiful autumn foliage, which I think looked quite stunning in the rain:

Stuart Manor, Templeton, South Island, NZ.

What a welcome to New Zealand!
Not that I’ve stayed at hundreds, but Stuart Manor would have to rate in the top two B&Bs I’ve ever visited. 

The other one was in Meadle, Bucks, UK, an exquisite country house that was once owned by the British actor John Mills (father of Hayley Mills) where I once stayed with Katy, Bobbie, Laura, Roy & Ilona – but that’s another story.

Stuart Manor is in Templeton, on the outskirts of Christchurch,  NZ.  Built as an elegant farm house in 1905, it was taken over by John and Kim two years ago, and lovingly renovated as a B&B. 

Our room, the Hokitiki Room, was delightfully appointed.

 John made us a very welcome afternoon tea.

Lobby (with chandelier).



Kim looked after the garden.



In the garden.



Still in the garden.

A bit more garden.



Stuart Manor has won a Trip Advisor award for 2012.
This could be the reason why:  At 6.30pm, “Drinks and Nibbles” were served in the lounge – and what “Drinks and Nibbles” !  Little glasses of mushroom soup, devils on horseback, and delicious spring rolls, all home made, of course.  We were the only guests there that night, but John and Kim spent over an hour chatting with us over this delightful cocktail.

Cereal bar.



Muesli with yoghurt and fresh fruit.



Eggs Benedict – I should have asked for one egg only.

While it was raining outside, it was warm, cosy and welcoming inside, and very hard to leave.
Thank you John and Kim for a wonderful first night in NZ.