So that was Hamilton in June. Interesting and cold. From there we headed north, via Paeroa where we borrowed some power to get properly charged up again. Somehow we didn’t seem to be making enough electricity or storing enough, or something. I kept putting it down to winter. We parked up at Wyn’s friends place at Matatoke south of Thames. Wyn was going to stay there for the week while I was off to Dunedin to catch up with my children. Next day Wyn dropped me off in Thames and I caught a bus to Manukau from where there was a bus to Auckland airport. It was one of those days where weather somewhere had delayed planes and my one to Dunedin ended up hours late. Thank heavens for a good book (on the Kindle).
My sons picked me up from the airport and dropped me off at my sister’s place at St Leonards. So began a lovely week of catching up and hanging out and keeping warm. The weather was cold and often sunny. I walked in to town one morning – missed the bus! And borrowed a nifty wee car from kind friends. Which was great for getting out and about.
- Sunrise after longest night – Otago Harbour from St Leonards
- Sunrise after longest night – Otago Harbour from St Leonards
Friday afternoon I went for a walk with Andrew up Flagstaff – one of the hills overlooking Dunedin. And the only one without communication masts occupying the top. And with a wonderful view over Dunedin. It was also a chance to visit my Dad who we scattered on top thirty-something years ago. And his Dad as well – so I guess that made four generations of Davies on Flagstaff counting me and Andrew.
- Andrew on Flagstaff separating the clouds from the hills
- Taieri Plains and Mosgiel from Flagstaff – Saddle Hill on the left
- West from Flagstaff towards the Lammerlaws
- Taieri Plains and Mosgiel from Flagstaff – Saddle Hill on the left
- Dunedin from Flagstaff
On the Sunday afternoon Andrew and Michael and I went for a walk in the Silverpeaks, the hills just north of Dunedin and somewhere I’ve passed a day or two over my years. It was a clear calm day and cold in the shade. There was still ice on the puddles in the afternoon. We walked from Hightop to the top of Green Hill where we stood around for a very late lunch before hightailing it back to Hightop before it got dark. A lovely outing with my sons.
- Andrew and Michael on track for Silverpeaks
- North from Hightop – volcanic cone may be Mt Watkin
- Andrew and Michael on track for Silverpeaks
- Andrew and Michael on Green Hill – lunchtime 3.30pm
- Michael and Andrew on Green Hill – looking west
- Silverpeaks east to Blueskin Bay from Green Hill
- South from Green Hill Silverpeaks towards Mosgiel and Double Hill
I had a few more days for catching up before catching a flight out – back to Auckland where Wyn picked me up. She’d ended up loitering between free stopping areas to avoid the parking fees – $10 for the first hour! We headed back to Thames and Matatoke and Suzi and free parking.
Gallery of photos – Dunedin June 2012
Click on thumbnails to see full size. (And then you can click through them)
