Tuesday 5th February

What a lovely day we’ve had! The sun was shining when we got up this morning and although it was cold to start with, it warmed up later and the sky is still clear now (9.10pm).

We had a cooked breakfast for the first time this holiday, all included in the price of NZ$99 (for two), then set off, in our fleeces as it was cold, and started off at the most photographed building in NZ – the old railway station.

Most of the railway lines and buildings were built between the end of the 1890’s and 1908 when architecture was typically Victorian – ornate and built to last. Trains still run up the East coast but the cross country line was never completed and was mainly dismantled in the early 1950’s. The small section that remained is now a tourist route…..and NO, we did not go on a trip!! Once bitten, twice shy! Anyway, there was an audiovisual display running so I managed to see most of that while Tom took photos.

After that, we went to the Op Shop (charity shop for all you uninitiated) where I bought another pair of trousers and a belt; then Tom found a second pair of trousers for himself in another shop (if we’d known it was going to be so cold, we’d have brought spares from home), all with friendly chat from the staff – I can’t get over how chatty everyone is. By then, it was nearly coffee time and on the way to the café we’d seen, what should I find but a needlework shop! I couldn’t resist, and as it was next to a book shop Tom went in there. I finally found a cross stitch chart of NZ and could have bought loads of patchwork fabric but had to resist that – Maggie, it was SO hard, you’ll understand. Tom found a pair of new sandals to replace the ones he brought out with him – they’ve since fallen apart - so he was a happy boy!

We returned to the hotel to offload the shopping and also change into lighter clothing as it was beginning to get warm. (Tom tried out his new sandals). Still cool enough for fleeces though. We then walked up to the Anglican cathedral where there was a Flower Festival so we added a little something to their coffers – the flowers were lovely, 44 displays all so different plus smaller posies on the ends of most of the pews. It’s the only cathedral in NZ with a stone vaulted nave and it has beautiful Carara marble aisles.

Not far from the Cathedral is the Art Gallery. So in we went for a touch of culture. Half of the gallery is given over to the more traditional forms of art, pictures that look like real people and landscapes, and the rest is modern. Tom went round those bits in about 5 minutes!! I enjoyed some of it but this interpretational art leaves me cold and a bit confused as I never seem to be able to interpret what the artist means in the same way. We both agreed that Izzy could probably do some of the paintings just as well! There was even a giant weather balloon in there, inflated with 100,000 litres of air to represent something which neither of us can now remember!! And some glass tubes and broken shards to represent another something unmemorable. We do try to broaden our minds but somehow I don’t think it’s very successful. I did fall for one of the traditional paintings and a pastel drawing but they had no postcards of either in the shop so will try to look them up on the web when we get home.

Then I wanted to go to the Otago Museum, but Tom was reluctant as it’s quite a walk. However, when he found that the University bookshop was just across the road, he agreed to come with me. I have to say that I enjoyed this museum more than Te Papa in Wellington. There are many more exhibits but not cluttered. All are clearly marked and the audiovisual displays are excellent. The layout leads you round in a logical manner and there’s loads of humour incorporated into the literature that accompanies some of the exhibits without detracting from them in any way. There are interactive areas for the kids (and grownups who wish to participate) and although I didn’t get round it all, I understand there’s an amazing area of live butterflies and a forest display that is sensational. The shop prices seemed reasonable as was the café, unlike Te Papa which was very expensive – and the museum is free, although they ask for a donation if you can.

It was now almost 5.00pm so we walked back through the city browsing some of the shops before they closed, then had a drink in the bar before “dressing for dinner”. Dinner again this evening was lovely, and we would definitely recommend this place if you don’t mind it being a little worn around the edges. The central location is hard to beat especially as car parking is quite restricted and expensive. The Queen and Prince Philip stayed here in 1954 on their tour of NZ and appeared to the crowds from the balcony overlooking the street. The owner saw them here when he was a boy and after buying the place some years ago said he’d considered asking them if they’d like to come back sometime (tongue firmly in cheek).

Tomorrow it’s off to Queenstown and 3 nights at the Abba Garden motel – wonder if they’ll be in residence?

I’m sure some of you have been wondering how we’re getting on considering that before we left I had questioned the wisdom of being with Tom 24/7. There has been the occasional tense moment (!!) but we’ve surprised even ourselves how well it’s all going. We are so enjoying this trip of a lifetime and storing up the memories, especially through the daily blog, for when we’re no longer able to travel. We know we’re never likely to come here again so it puts the little niggles into perspective. But I do draw the line at navigating in towns!!

It’s now 10.30pm, and the bottle of wine we had with dinner is mellowing nicely, so we’ll call it a day, and see you all in Queenstown.