New Zealand
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The word for the day is "flatlander". I
have decided that the hilly treks with their steep inclines
and at times rocky trails are too much for me. Today's trail
took us down to tunnel beach. A beautiful area where huge
waves crash upon the cliffs and with a tunnel that leads down
to the beach. I should have known with the sheer walk down
that the return would be worse. As we began our ascent TD & AD
once again left me behind and after months of "you comin'
Bessie?" I've decided that I'm ready for flat land ONLY! Until
the next mountain walk that is!
Dunedin
is a coastal community with lovely drives along the sea. So
part of today's adventure included a seaside drive along the
cliffs that returns along the shore. At the end of the
peninsula is a wildlife station that houses a very nice
information center related to the areas sea and bird life.
Since the day was alternately sunny/cloudy warm/cold we opted
for an afternoon movie. AD and I went to see Holes and TD went
to a nearby cinema to see Love Actually. Everyone was
pleased with there selections. We spent the evening at the
motel for dinner and a little more homework. The first
trimester is over and we are working on the next segment. AD
has opted to save his 4 day Thanksgiving break for over the
Christmas holidays when we are with friends.
The
words for the day are "white limestone". The town of Oamaru is
115 km up the coast from Dunedin and is a Victorian Whitestone
gem. Many of the towns buildings erected during the 1871 to
1883 railroad boom, are made of the white limestone that is
the bed rock of this area. We arrived in town to find the
Sunday Market in full swing and to see the days first run of
the Oamaru's historic Steam Engine Train. AD got his first
ride on a Penny Farthing bicycle but he couldn't reach the
pedals and had to be pushed. He loved it and wanted me to try
but I was chicken!
In
the afternoon we took the steam train for a 30 minute ride
along the shore to an old limestone quarry and then drove
throughout the city looking at the wonderful architecture.
Leaving AD at the park in the Botanical Gardens TD and I went
for a walk. The gardens have lovely rose beds and a moderate
size conservatory packed with flowers and plants. There is a
large gazebo in the parks center, however TD would not dance
to me singing "I am 16 going on 17" so we didn't put it to
good use. It even had benches surrounding the interior for me
to run on!! Maybe I should put on my fat girl bikini while I'm
fantasizing.
The word for the day is "attack". After
another three hour drive we arrived in Christchurch. The
weather is a toasty 86 degrees with not a cloud in the sky. AD
went immediately to check out our newest Top 10 Park and
returned excited about the huge playground, waterslide and the
resident ducks. Shortly thereafter he returned crying because
the mother duck attacked him, pushing him down and biting his
ear. He evidently got to close to her very small ducklings. No
harm was actually done as he was more scared than scarred. No
more duck feedings for him!
With
the warm weather we headed to the beach so that AD and TD
could play in the waves. The ocean water remains very cold so
I opted for reading in the sun. Afterwards we headed into town
and found that Christchurch has a beautiful town center. The
Cathedral Square has a life size chess board and a trolley car
line that tours the city. It is filled with trees and seating
for relaxation and people watching. There is a park that runs
along the river that is filled with people enjoying the lovely
Monday sunshine.
After dinner we headed back to the beach for more wave riding
and then went to a nearby park that has a long wire glide that
AD is quite fond of. TD tried it too but I once again opted
for the safety of book reading. We found a Tip Top to buy an
ice cream cone for the ride back to the Park.
 |
AD Journal |
|
|
|
|||
 |
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2003, diblings.com ~ All rights reserved. Contact our
Webmaster |
