Dunedin

Awoke to a fine morning, already berthed at the port. Logging is clearly big in NZ and most of the pinus radiata is sent to China. Apparently it is then turned into paper and paper products and bought back by NZ! Today's tour takes me to Olveston house. Along the way we pass the magnificent railway station building, museum and other buildings which are each so different from the next.

We aren't allowed to take any photos inside Olveston house so you have to rely on my word that it is a beautifully preserved home built in 1906. It took 2 years to build and remained in use by the original family until 1966 when it was gifted to the council as the only daughter of the original family had not married or have children and it was her gift to the community she lived in all her life. Inside everything is as it originally was. Very Downton Abbey but a bit later vintage. The gardens were well maintained too. Azaleas and camellias grow really well here.

Lovely houses of so many different styles, but it is so steep that many of not most are build on the sides of hills.

The church building is simply magnificent, and again, is built in a very steep slope.

Next stop is the Botanic gardens. We didn't have long here but what I did get around to see was very well set out and easy to get around. Unfortunately it wasn't the right time for the roses but I can imagine how lovely that area would be when in full bloom. I noticed a sign saying free food for the ducks was available in the information centre so of I headed. Got my packet of feed. Wandered to the jetty and was soon joined by 3 ducks, which became 4 and various pigeons also fit in on the action. Not long before I had more ducks than feed left!

A light rain had begun so I was back in the coach in time to not get wet! On the way back to the ship we had a short stop at the railway station which really is a beautiful old building that has been very carefully restored and maintained.

Now back to the ship and it has gotten very cold so I'm glad to get back on board in the warm. Had been seeing what I thought were high petrol prices, but apparently this is standard. Certainly cheaper back home!

We depart a bit later than planned as the train tour that many of the passengers were on didn't arrive back until after 3 and took a while to come through the security checks to get back on board. Julie was in this group and said her tour was good but really cool while waiting to get back on board. We finally set sail and it is very pretty coastline as we leave Port Chalmers.

Once we get underway, an announcement is made over the intercom. "As we are about to head into heavy and rough seas, the swimming pools are all being drained for the safety of passengers and staff. As such we will not be cruising the Fiordland national park (Milford Sound) tomorrow in an attempt to avoid the rough seas." You can imagine the look on my face! Anyway, totally undeterred we head to a bar for our pre dinner drinks and I enjoy my dry martini. Quick change of clothes and then off to dinner where it is Italian night. My seafood antipasto was lovely but the 'Nana's chicken parmi' was boring. Dessert didn't interest me, and as it was quite cold in the dining room, we headed back to our cabin and decided on an early night.

The ship is certainly doing some rock and roll now but I'm hoping my motion sickness tablets continue to keep me well, although I am now wearing the wrist bands that hopefully keep me upright!