Read, Write, Ramble

Today was the final full day of my birthday extravaganza tour, and Dunedin turned on the sunshine for us.  Following our hotel breakfast we embarked on the final surprise element - a bus trip across the harbour and up onto the headland to the stunning Larnach Castle.  Built by a successful banker and businessman in 1871, this gothic revival masterpiece was rescued from ruin in 1967 by the Barker family and has long been a labour of love to faithfully restore and refurbish in decor that is true to its era and origins.  On arrival we were at liberty to wander the extensive grounds and immaculate gardens before embarking on a tour of the interior. We marvelled at lavishly carved wood panelling, audacious chandeliers, intricately worked tapestries and the view from the balcony atop the fourth floor tower, all the while being regaled with the tragic story of William Larnach and his family. We were then ushered back down to the ground floor ballroom and treated to a delectable ...

 We probably should have taken the hint when the Parkrun volunteer, himself wearing a kneebrace, who was delivering the First Timers briefing this morning,  described it as ‘an arse of a course!’ That should have been our cue to pop straight into the Botanic Gardens cafe and order a coffee.  However, having successfully navigated our way there on a local bus, lured by the thought of a beautiful Parkrun set in a Botanic Garden, just like home, we took his words with a grain of salt and lined up with 295 other participants.  Initially lulled into a false sense of security by two short laps of the lower gardens area, we then crossed the footbridge over the Waters of Leith and began our ascent towards the lookout. And what an ascent it was; steep gravel paths wound through established trees still cloaked in their autumn colours, up steep hills and graduated steps to the lookout area, which it seems was a false summit, as we continued to climb, before heading down the pre...