The weather looks great for some outdoor activities today and its not so cold. We set off to Larnach Castle which should be on everyones list as its a rare sight indeed in New Zealand. The drive with great views over the harbour took a winding and steep road across the hilltops many kilometres out of Dunedin. What a magnificent location! The original owner and builder of the castle was portrayed as a rich and powerful man involved in business, banking and politics during the later 1800s. The design and materials used were mostly imported and must have cost a fortune during those times. Obviously money did not buy happiness as he shot himself in pariliament as did his son some time later, but at home!
The setting is fantastic with landscaped grounds setting off the buildings. We did a tour through the gardens first and followed up with a self guided tour through the castle. There were often features that weve only seen before in European castles such as carved ceilings, chandeliers, beautiful bespoke furniture, fires in every room, the best fittings and lastly a spiral stone staircase onto the turret roof with magnificent views out over the harbour
and city. At some point it was abandoned and left to deteriorate until a couple on a South Island trip in their Combi Van happened upon the place and bought it. The rest is history as years were spent restoring and bringing it to the standard it is now using dozens of employees for the upkeep. After several hours and lunch at the cafe we headed back to Dunedin to park and walk along the cycle trail to the city. Our destination was the Chinese Gardens.
Our walk wasnt the best choice as most if it, whilst along the water front, was through the sports and industrial area. In true Toole fashion we had taken the hard way - it was windy, cool, not that inspiring and up and over the railway yards. We did eventually get to the Gardens which, like the Vancouver ones, were worth a visit despite the busy, noisy location. It was sandwiched between the railway, a busy highway and a city street. BUT, it was peaceful! Every part of the Garden had been designed and brought over from Shanghai (Dunedins Sister City). Its another must see if you like beauty, good design and peace.
A view between the turret ramparts/imbrications? looking down over the fountain, yews and pergolas, all in a line.
Of course we had to backtrack on the same walk back to the car. Oh well, not so beautiful but we got in some exercise. We called into the huge Sports Centre to take a look and came on a fellow Taranaki person - a lad from Hawera. From there we drove to St Kilda Beach just to say wed seen it. Its a south beach with good waves for surfing. Looking out from the beach is endless towards the Antarctic.
That ends a second day in Dunedin and we look forward to an indoor museum day tomorrow for geology and sports interests.
