Dunedin and more

Breakfast, a walk and then the train.

Dunedin is buzzing today as it appears to be market day. The centre of Dunedin is called the Octagon. This is because there is a central area of gardens surrounded by a circular road that has roads leading off it. On two sides are bars and restaurants. St Joseph’s Cathedral and the town hall are on the opposite sides and finally , a modern building makes up the octagon.

The markets had an amazing array of goods. I fell in love with some cute garden statues made of wood. Yes I know they are tooo big to take home. Mike found a jumper. We will collect it after the train. Let’s go.

From Dunedin, a train used to make regular trips up the Taieri Gorge  to Middlemarch. It was mainly for freight.

There was a halfway point at Hinden. At one time 8000 people lived in Hinden. The refreshment room served teas. During the war, customers were charged a deposit of 2 shillings and 6 pence for the use of a cup and saucer and teaspoons were chained to the tables. Nothing remains of this settlement except a statue of a dog called Sue .The train now is just for tourists.
The scenery in the gorge is magnificent , as you would expect. Forests, winding river and stone cliffs, a perfect combination don’t you think? Add viaducts for the railway enthusiast and everyone is happy.

Back in Dunedin, we head for the Settlers Museum. No complaining, you know you will like it when you get there. I liked the way both Māori ,and settlers from other parts of the world ,are are all seen as settlers in New Zealand. All parts of the world has been settled by people moving there….some just got there before the rest us.

Now I am sure you are cultured out but I am sure a visit to Larnach castle is in order. No not inside the castle silly, just the gardens. It’s not a real castle though, just a beautiful building constructed in 1871. The gardens are magnificent and there are Alice in Wonderland statues to find. I found all but the Cheshire Cat.How did you do?

ps. The tearooms are worth visiting but the cakes were definitely on the interesting scale. We worked out they had just put different icing on the same biscuit base. Unfortunately the base was hard to cut , a fork did it but just.