Bit of a Blog : Solstice : Auckland – Fremantle – Sydney : February 14th 2016

[NorbertsNiece]

What is it about having a planned sleep-in that causes the phone to ring twice then hang up?

[NorbertsNiece]

I've managed to download / upload / download a couple more 'Daily' sheets for you.

02-23 - At Sea 3 (1).pdf

02-24 - Sydney, Australia (1).pdf

[NorbertsNiece]

Back to bombarding you with pics.

 

 

 

 

Lots of info on the pier..... but I'm aware that at none of the ports of call have there been vendors of souvenirs etc.

 

 

There's always a HOHO

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

We head up into the surrounding hills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

We drive by the Forsyth Barr Rugby stadium where we are regaled with stories about nude rugby. I kid you not. Apparently there are YouTube videos. I've not looked..... yet.....

 

We head into the cemetery to pass the family tomb of the Larnach family; we are to visit the castle later.

 

 

 

 

Flagstaff Summit

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

We head to Baldwin Street which purports to be the steepest street in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. According to 'Wiki' the 161.2 metres (529 ft) long top section climbs 47.2 metres (155 ft) vertically, an average gradient of 1:3.41. At its maximum, about 70 metres (230 ft) below the top,[3] the slope of Baldwin Street is about 1:2.86 (19° or 35%). That is, for every 2.86 metres travelled horizontally, the elevation changes by 1 metre.

 

And to answer your question..... no. I didn't climb it.....

 

 

 

We then go to the Botanical Gardens. I could fill an album with the gloriousness that is here..... I could spend have spent hours here easily.

 

 

 

 

The Rose Garden..... oh my goodness.....

 

Edited February 25, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

Many, many ducks at the pond

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

A really unusual, short plant with spiky leaves that would appear to make a good border

 

 

Until it grows to this....

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

We visit the University of Otago (founded 1869) Campus

 

 

The clocktower

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

Outside a very recognisable British letterbox with insignia

 

 

 

 

 

We don't get to tour the inside. You can read more about this really lovely house and the very English gardens here.

[GUT2407]

Your photos revive some memories.

[NorbertsNiece]

Your photos revive some memories.

 

Happy ones I hope....

 

Started posting sat in the library; went for lunch in Oceanview then to Cafe al Bacio for another coffee...... pod of dolphins swam by..... caught sight of a dorsal fin....

 

Dunedin centre itself has seen much revitalisation.... many buildings converted from original use to apartment living

 

 

The original 1863 Synagogue is now an art gallery. It's behind here..... I don't get to see it from the street. It's the world's southernmost synagogue.

 

 

There is a marching band competition taking place in the centre

 

 

 

 

St Paul's Cathedral in the background

 

 

The story of how Linda was late back to the meeting point will remain forever a painful memory and one for which she will be forever mentally atoning.

[NorbertsNiece]

The drive from Port Chalmers to town takes about 25 minutes..... the drive around the bay and up to Lanarch Castle is another 25

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 25, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

 

Lunch, in the ballroom, is included.

 

 

 

GF calamari

 

 

 

Is the pistol in a display cabinet the one that caused William Larnach his demise?

 

[GUT2407]

Yes, very happy memories, won't be our last NZ cruise I expect.

[NorbertsNiece]

I have many many pictures of the interior..... will only share a few.... don't want to bore.... you can read more about Larnach, his family and troubles here

 

The interior has been lovingly restored and much of the original furniture has been purchased back from whom it was sold in distressed times.... some was gifted back....

 

The views as you head up the flights of stairs is spectacular

 

 

 

 

A suspended staircase

 

 

I decide not to climb the last 18 steps up

 

Edited February 25, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Some interior pics.....

 

A knee bath

 

 

A marble lamp.....

 

 

This bath is an original

 

 

 

 

A call went out for people who had purchased items from the house to step forward so they could be purchased back or donated..... many people claimed to have pieces.... this dresser is one that was authenticated

 

[I'm from Oz]

Thanks for the Dunedin photos Linda.

 

Two things

- seeing the botanic gardens encourages me that we still have reason to visit Dunedin (having been there 4 times already and not seen them!!)

- I'm so glad to see, from the photos of Lanarch Castle that the restoration has continued successfully. When we were there 9 years ago it was hanging in the balance.

 

I agree the view from the top is magnificent.

 

Thanks for sharing

[NorbertsNiece]

After leaving Larnach Castle we headed back to Dunedin.....

 

There's a very strange installation of large molars on the harbour mouth. More about them here

 

 

 

We head to the railway station, opened 1906

 

 

 

Edited February 25, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

We head back to the ship and after sorting myself out I go up on deck to get a view of a church behind the ship...... only its now pouring with rain and this is the best I could do

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Sailaway is indoors, looking for albatross and failing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did manage to capture a pilot, albeit briefly

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

Dinner was interrupted by the Medevac as noted here previously. Dinner service was more or less over by the time I returned but they had my order saved.

 

 

This GF Tiramisu possibly the best dessert I have eaten, maybe ever.....

 

[I'm from Oz]

I'm glad your tender time to Dawes Point was not half an hour - I could not understand why that was said!

 

I was actually dismayed when I could not see the ship moored at Athol Buoy when I crossed the Bridge yesterday, then when I did see the ship I realised you weren't actually at Athol Buoy, you looked like you were at the Clarke Island Buoy on the other side of the Harbour.

 

You were moored because Solstice was only in Sydney as a port of call and Royal Caribbean already had Explorer booked at the OPT. None of the RCI ships moor around at White Bay because they are too big. Solstice is not a lot smaller than Explorer (which is the largest ship to dock at the OPT) Coming in on the train she's pretty impressive!.

 

Sounds like you managed a very full day in Sydney - well done.

 

The Nurses Walk and Suez Canal are part of the area known as The Rocks. I have been known to take O/S visitors on a history tour of Circular Quay, The Rocks and Dawes Point - just as well I hadn't planned on doing that with you :D

 

We had our daughter's wedding reception on the roof of the MCA after the ceremony on Observatory Hill - pretty specky - shall I bore you with the pics when we meet? :)

 

Keep up the great work. So very much enjoying all your posts. Enjoy Melbourne tomorrow! Can't wait to hear what you do there :)