March 13 - 14
Lawrence to Dunedin
March 13
Lawrence to Dunedin
I had a really good night's sleep. Perhaps not surprising after the day's exercise. At 09.30 I drove Barbara to one of the cafes in the village where she was helping out. Stephen and I drove down later for a coffee - not very good.
Just before 11.00 I started the drive down the valley, arriving in Dunedin just after 12.00. Pete, Paul and I met in a café in Roslyn for lunch, after which I drove across the city to Paul's house, where I had a quiet afternoon and evening. Practical activities can resume tomorrow.
March 14
Dunedin
Last year, my diary came to an abrupt end when I had a heart attack. This year, the burgeoning chaos brought about by the arrival of the coronavirus, Covid 19, started to prey on my mind and make me concentrate more on my plans for the next ten days than on what I would be doing for the next 24 hours.
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We started reasonably early. Kris was taken to the doctor with a sore eye. I drove into the city centre to visit the farmers' market. There was a car park on some rough ground adjacent to the railway tracks and I parked and fought a running battle with the ticket machine. I then had to help an elderly European couple, who were having similar problems. The Railway Station, one of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand, has lots of lines but not many trains. Ironically, one did come through while I was there but I didn't react soon enough to get the front end.
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The market was busy, with the usual mix of stalls selling almost everything edible. I had a wander, took some photos and bought a Eurodog, my traditional breakfast on such mornings. Unfortunately, these used to be unusually good. The quality seems to have slipped over the years.
I also bought a good lump of local cheese from the Evansdale Cheese factory.
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Without too much to buy, I walked past the station, past the old Cadbury silos and up into the city.
I bought a few presents to take back to the UK, took a few photos and returned to the car.
A quick drive up the road took me to Pete & Toni's, where we chatted, went to see Toni's newly refurbished consulting rooms and returned to their house for lunch. Charlie is growing older and isn't walking particularly well but he was very pleased to see us.
After lunch, I returned to Paul & Kris's, where we followed the latest travel developments. I tried to change my flights back to the UK but, with the airline's phone lines being jammed solid, I made absolutely no progress. Watch this space!Shilo was happy to have another friend to give her cuddles so we spent the remainder of the afternoon relaxing. |
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Just before 18.00, we donned reasonably smart clothes and drove through lots of roadworks to Glenfalloch, an old house on the peninsula.
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It has beautiful gardens, albeit with some questionable decorations and, now, a new restaurant at the front.
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Eight of us assembled there and ate the five course degustation "Trust the Chef" menu. Several of us also had the matching wines. It wasn't cheap but it was very good. The service matched the standards of the rest of the meal and I would happily repeat the experience if it is still operating and if I am ever able to return to New Zealand. With luck, the photos will do justice to the food and be better than a mere description. The wines were also excellent. The light wasn’t good! |
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Finally, there was Balclutha Hazelnut, peaches, rosemary & Earl Grey; I can’t remember the wine and there wasn’t room for the photo.
All of the portions were small but, as is normal with the highest quality food, they were very filling. We returned home feeling full but happy.