Mt Cargill with a Smurfette

Most people walk up Mt. Cargill for the spectacular views of Dunedin and the surrounding beaches and peninsula. To break with tradition, my beautiful friend Dr. Gi and I decided to bundle up there on an exceptionally misty day - so the surrounding landscape was nothing but bright white.


To celebrate, Dr. Gi turned up dressed entirely in blue. I loved it.

Ominous foggy scenes.

"This is the part where the Zombies come out..."


Below: the famous radio tower. Squint hard.



Our picnic, courtesy of Crusty Corner (orzo, feta and spinach salad!), Pierre (happy to finally be on a trip again, no matter how small) and below: when the sun came out on our stumble down the hill, during which the smurfette dished out copious gossip I cannot repeat here !

Perilous Driving on Blueskin Bay

Finally, an up-to-the-minute update. My last post was set in the tropical paradise island of Koh Yao Noi, where you need to nap during the afternoon to escape the oppressive heat, so I thought I'd change the pace right now and post about my morning escapade on ice.

I had to drive in to town, as I was supposed to be meeting my American students (I take them on trips as a job) to take them ice luging in a town 2 hours drive away. Ironically, the bus driver called me, 20 minutes into my drive to town, to say he couldn't get his bus on the road as there were two inches of ice and conditions worsening. Day-trip = post-poned.

So, because I was already out sliding around on the ridiculous roads, I used my point+shoot work camera and took a bunch of photos. I also discovered the "magic: key hole" function (probably aimed at the 'tween' market) and promptly over-used it. Forgive me, but it's just so fun.

Below: Carey's Bay, overshadowed with snow clouds.

Below: Port Chalmers wharf, and snow dusting Otago peninsula.

Below: looking toward Waitati and Waikouaiti, my childhood homes.

Finally: the 'township' (about ten houses) I currently call home. Time to turn on the heater and drink a hot cocoa.