In and Around Dunedin

If friends (disheveled, smelly and laden with laundry) turned up at my door a day early, I would  likely have said something like- -"We didn't expect you until tomorrow evening, but come on in.

Kiwis just say "Come on in!"  And then they give you a hug.

We had been at the Macmillans in Mosgiel (outside Dunedin) about an hour before we realized that they were expecting us the next day.  They already had overnight guests, but it didn't matter to Elizabeth and Bruce. We were with them for 5 days and we had a great time catching up on all sorts of family news and seeing a lot of Dunedin and the surrounding area.  

Bruce, Bruce and Elizabeth -- beer on the patio in the summer sun.

Bounty from the Macmillan garden--a hostess gift!

Port Chalmers is a container port near Dunedin

Unlike hilly, cool Dunedin, Mosgiel is flat and sunny.  Laundry day was warm and bright, and I revelled in the opportunity to peg out the washing, admire the roses, and pick carrots and tomatoes from the garden.   Summer, at last!  

Nature reserve near Mosgiel where we went for a walk.

Bruce and Elizabeth know the area around Dunedin so well that a drive into the countryside was scenic and informative.  We had an especially interesting time watching the busyness in the container yard at Port Chalmers.  All those clever, specialized forklifts were fascinating. 

We also went for a walk on the Otago Rail Trail and the Macmillans told us about their experience cycling this route.   Perhaps we can do this ourselves on a return trip.

At The Kissing Gate Cafe near the Otago Rail Trail 

Two cyclists were happy to walk with one of the Bruces

Railway workers took shelter in sheds like this "Red Dwarf "
.