Derek's New Zealand Blog 2012

Wednesday 11th January

Drove to Chris's to fault find his Skype on his desktop and fault find the internet wireless connection on my laptop. Had to give up for a re-think.
Kath drove me to Middlemarch in the afternoon, to enjoy the scenery and the weather. Very little rain for the last five to six weeks apparently, so the sun was starting to brown the grass, despite a heavy shower on outward journey. As usual wide roads through Mosgiel Town to hills using State Highway 87. Wide and steep roads through very rocky scenery to plains between Rock & Pillar Range mountains and Taieri Ridge mountains. These mountains higher than any mountains in England & Wales.

Rock & Pillar Mountain Range

Crossed railway (Three foot six gauge) twice at unfenced, uncontrolled crossing while entering Middlemarch. Tourist railway about two trains a day, great care required. Visited the Railway Station by the Stone Arches Sculpture and the Start of the Otago Central Rail Trail, 150Km of gravel path for walkers, cyclists and Horse riders. Several more photos of main street, hotel etc, before return journey.

Middlemarch Map on Side of Building

Middlemarch Main Street - State Highway 87

Strath Taieri Hotel - Middlemarch

Stone Arches - Middlemarch

Stopped several times on return journey to Dunedin to take photos. I remarked to Kath that we hadn't seen any sheep, then we saw them, as brown as the rocks, covered in dust due to the lack of rain to wash them clean.

Rock & Pillar Mountain Range from State Highway 87

Sheep near Sutton Salt Lake

Sea Mist on Saddle Hill - Mosgiel, Dunedin

Back to base before a stop under the 'Hollywood' type sign high on the rocks saying 'Mosgiel.

Mosgiel Sign near Dunedin

Returned to Concord, then went for a walk in the evening around St Clair head with Kay and Tor the dog. Interesting rock formations around the head, reminded me of the 'Giants Causeway' in Northern Ireland. Returned to car for a short drive to St Kilda for a walk to Lawyers Head via John Wilson Ocean Drive. Not so much as a drive these days, blocked off to install a new sewerage pipe some time ago, but not re-opened to traffic because the suicide rate from the head had dropped drastically. Have I phrased that correctly?
Walked to head with other dog walkers for photos of Tomahawk Beach & Bird Island, passing a New Zealand Sea Lion 'Hole', guarded by a warden. Pity about the low cloud but nether the less, a very good walk.
Returned to Concord to pick up Brent and drop off Tor, then drove in Dunedin for an English Pint & English Roast meal in an English Restaurant. Who says I'm homesick?

Lawyers Head, St Kilda, Dunedin

Bird Island & Tomahawk Beach, Dunedin

Sunny & warm, no rain

25 degrees C, 40 % cloud

Sea mist by beach, chilly