Blogs from Otago, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 14

13 March 2009 Theres snow on the mountain tops around Cromwell. It looks beautiful, but its not a good sign for the harvest. We need warm weather not freezing cold mornings. Luckily there wasn't any frost on the vines. When I booked my tickets a month ago Matt expected the harvest to begin in Mid-March, but now he says it looks like Mid-April. I think I will be able to work in the vineyards until then. My housemate and I just bought a car so now we aren't trapped at home. Thats the way many people who are staying for a few months do it. That way it is usually cheaper than renting because you can get most of the money back when you sell it before you leave. We are working on getting the internet ... read more

Friday 27 February Leaving Aoraki Mt Cook National Park behind me this morning, I headed south then east, aiming eventually for Dunedin, probably getting there tomorrow. My first stop was at Twizel as I needed fuel. As I pulled off the highway into Twizel I was feeling hungry and came across “The Musterer’s Hut” - now there, I thought, is a place where you are bound to get a good breakfast! I wasn’t wrong! When I ordered the “musterer’s breakfast” the man looked at me strangely but carried on - when it came out it was massive, but I gave it my best shot, and did, even if I say so myself, pretty well. Certainly beats the muesli and fruit I’ve had nearly every other day! I’ve always said one of the best things about B&Bs ... read more

The "little Edinburgh" of Otago. Quick tour round - interesting architecture - especially the well known railway station; Cathedral in light Oamuru stone' and yet another Museum (The Otago Settlers museum - good collection of Transport items as well as the settlers info). Campsite shared with car enthusiasts attending a car show next door - mainly american cars Chevvys etc. Otago Peninsular - Went out late evening to remote beach to watch (from hide) yellow-eyed penguins coming ashore - saw one Fiordland crested penguin and one yellowed eyed one + a sea-lion! The beach was amazing - soft blown sand-dunes stretching way inland. (pics to follow) Castle Lanarch gardens - restored from overgrown state by current owner - 40 years work - now superb and in a fantastic setting. At Taiaroa Head at the end of ... read more

Woke up to a better day, the rain had stopped! Got the tent down, had breakfast and off to the Otago Peninsula. This area is known for it’s blue penguins, albatrosses and fur seals. We drove along the coastal road first up to the tip of the peninsula. We walked down to one of the beaches and there were male fur seals all over the place, sleeping their dinner off! The main area is fenced off to protect them but 4 had come around to our side and were not afraid! We got quite close to get some photo’s. One of them was on his back and snoring - so funny! Sounded like a motorbike ticking over! They were lovely to watch. We walked along the sand and saw a dead penguin  , the sign ... read more

After seeing the penguins we drove on to Invercargill for the night and then spent the morning in the town museum and park, where we saw a 160 ancestor of dynosaurs, called Henry the tuatara. He has just become a father apparently. Then, after shopping, we went on to Riverton. Leaving Lys to sit in the sun I wandered round the harbour to take pictures. As I came back across the bridge a car pulled up and the driver said " Mr Dexter?". What a surprise. What had I done? The face looked vaguely familiar, but when he said that his wife knew me I realised it was Alan Oakley, husband of Cathy who worked for me at Trinity. She was also churchwarden at Dalston. We all met up and they invited us for tea, then ... read more