March 19 - 21
Dunedin to Lawrence
March 19
Dunedin
A slight problem. With the production of this diary taking a very long time, I decided to recycle my notebooks before I had completed the task. This was unfortunate as it transpired that I had neglected to type up the entry for March 19. Luckily, this was a relatively quiet day, my tired limbs from the previous two days discouraging me from doing too much.
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The sunrise was quite impressive but I hope that the local sailors took suitable notice of the red sky in the morning. As is my normal custom when in Dunedin, Saturday morning meant the Otago Farmers’ Market. This is always busy and sells a huge assortment of food and crafts, the emphasis being on the former. Pete and I wandered around, made a few purchases for the larder, had our usual bacon butties and coffees, and watched the fun. |
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I had a lengthy chat with the owner of Evansdale Cheeses, one of the country’s original craft cheesemakers. A consummate market trader, he has, at the age of 75, had a sex change and is now a she.
This has not had the slightest impact on the success of the stall and those visitors not aware of the situation probably wouldn’t notice. With the quality of the cheese and the conversation being as good as ever, who cares!
After our shopping was completed, Pete and I crossed the road to the Ironic café, an award winning café/bar. We had coffees and were joined by Paul and Kris who had good brunches.
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After lunch back at home, Charlie had to be taken out for his afternoon walk, always a “vigorous” task in this very hilly area.
Toni then took me to the rather fine house in an adjacent suburb which she now uses as the venue for her therapeutic massage clinic. Business is definitely looking up.
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In the evening, Toni & I walked down the steep hill into the city centre, where we had excellent meals at Scotia, the whisky bar, accompanied by Paul, Kris and other members of their family.
The smoked beef - actually a smoked fillet steak, was amazingly good. Paul then gave us a lift back up the hill. I doubt I could have walked it!
March 20
Dunedin
Another lovely sunrise and a clear sky. Toni and I drove into town to the supermarket, by which time the clouds were gathering. When we emerged with the shopping, it was drizzling. By the time we reached home again, it had stopped.
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Pete and I drove down the road to his parents' house for coffee and a chat, following which we collected Toni and returned to the city for brunch at Plato. This is a very good fish restaurant in a revolting location. They provided the Bluff oysters I had been seeking for days. They were big and juicy.
We dropped Pete at the theatre where he was conducting the Opera Group and returned home for another rest.
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In mid afternoon, Toni, Charlie and I piled into the car and drove a few minutes to Ross Creek. There we plunged down a steep path through the trees towards a stream at the bottom. There is a maze of footpaths, which led us round the reservoir and back to where we started, about an hour later. The car thermometer read 32 degrees. It was definitely hot.
I collected Pete from the concert and we collapsed at home again.
We dined at home, Kris joined us and we watched TV. A quiet evening.
March 21
Dunedin to Lawrence
Another lovely sunrise but I was too late to see it. There was also some rain overnight. My throat was sore, similar to what I experienced several weeks ago in Gisborne. That recovered without incident so let's hope this one is the same.
This is Otago Anniversary Day, supposedly a public holiday but the University functions as normal, as do most of the shops. All very confusing. At least this meant that parking was free and, away from the University, there was plenty available.
I dropped Pete at the University, drove across town, not a huge distance, and parked round the back of the Cadbury factory. Its silos and the station are two of the city's best photo opportunities. Unfortunately, the very dull light failed to do either of them justice.
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I walked to the shops via a largely empty Octagon, bought a couple of things that I was seeking but failed to find another one.
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The Settlers Museum has always been a favourite of mine and it now had a temporary exhibition on the Dunedin MultiDisciplinary Health and Development Study. This is a world leading project in which just over 10,000 children born in 1972/3 in the city have been studied throughout their lives and thousands of scientific papers have been produced. The retention rate has been amazingly high, with the subjects now being brought back to Dunedin from all over the world for the study sessions. The results have been used in many countries, particularly in the field of criminology. A fascinating and innovative project to come out of a small city at the bottom of the world.
Coffee and a biscuit in the café kept me entertained while I wrote my diary. This being a holiday, there was a 20% surcharge. The New Zealand Holidays Act is incomprehensible and expensive for the consumer.
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A very good Chinese lunch followed with Pete, Paul and Kris. Only a 15% surcharge this time. I took Pete home and set off to the South, along the main highway. At Waihola, I stopped for a coffee in the café, followed by a sit down by the side of the lake watching the water skiers (or similar) at play. It is a tranquil spot on a calm afternoon. |
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I drove the remaining 60 kilometres or so to Lawrence without any excitements. Barbara & Stephen greeted me and I was taken on a tour of the estate, almost a commercial market garden.
The tomatoes were nearing the end of their production run but the apples were in full flow. Stephen has manufactured a cider press and both cider and wine are under production, with varying degrees of success.
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The tomatoes were nearing the end of their production run but the apples were in full flow. Stephen has manufactured a cider press and both cider and wine are under production, with varying degrees of success.We walked into the village so that I could see some of the new shops. Several of them but nothing too exciting. We returned home for dinner and a quiet evening. |
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