Moeraki Boulders & sheep

They're a bit of a mystery, steeped in legend and probably science. The Moeraki Boulders are scattered along the beach north of Dunedin. Gill agreed to pull off on our way back from Oamaru and let us have a look. We took Erin here when she came to NZ in 1999. They're still here!

Have a look:

http://www.moerakiboulders.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moeraki_Boulders

And it's been several days so I know people have been waiting, but I finally got my first sheep photo! No closeups yet because no one will stop the car when I yell "Sheep!"

Rick settled in at the University of Otago today. Gill is generously sharing her office so he has a place to go concentrate on his book. Just getting evening tea (supper) on. Jim's watching some TV show in Maori. We picked up some mutton chops at the grocery today, can't wait for tomorrow's tea! We're feeling quite at home and starting to think about popping up north to visit the Halls in Christchurch. Looking forward to the A & P Show in Mosgiel on the 29th :)

Finally fine weather

We can see the sea! Our first few days in Dunedin were rainy, very windy, cold and steep. Still steep–we're rediscovering calf muscles–but the weather has turned so we are getting summer sun. The views are incredible. Gill has been wonderful. She's helped us get settled with a big grocery stockup trip to Pac n Save. On Saturday, she introduced us to the farmer's market at the train station which was fascinating. Loads of local cheese, venison, baking, veg, fish, lamb kebabs mmm. We had a walk around the university, but it's closed for summer holiday. Then we drove out to Port Chalmers which is out toward the inlet of Otago Harbour. Today, we're heading off for a drive (it's Gill's birthday) to Oamaru 2 hours north along the coast for lunch at Riverstone . We've done the washing; Karin has renewed her nagging about getting an outdoor clothesline at home. Nothing like fresh air dried clothes and towels. We've picked up a few bits and pieces at the op shop, and have started thinking about getting some work done. We bought a basil plant that Jim potted and it's thriving in our great sunroom overlooking the harbour. Jim's cold is much better so it's sunny all the way around.

A little tour of our flat

Following a luxurious, deep sleep, we awoke our first morning to rain that has greeted us sporadically all day long. But we managed, with our pal Gill's help, to get to the grocery to stock up on enough to get us through for awhile. When there was a break in the weather, we also dashed down the hill to a cheap odds 'n' ends store to fill in a few household items. The hike back up the hill was punishing... it is going to take awhile to get into our mountain goat phase, but we'll manage.

Here's a little tour of our digs in Dunedin, complete with a surprise visit from Gill. Forgive the "Blair Witch" video effects.

A warm Kiwi welcome, twice

Almost a 13 hour flight on a 747-400, but Air New Zealand fed us well! Sunny in Auckland this morning and it was great to do the walk from Terminal 1 to Domestic flights at Terminal 2. Travelled on the plane from LA with a huge U.S. college girls' soccer team on their way to Napier, like, OMG! Good to get some NZ fresh air when we landed, then off again to Chch. Back to the land of meat pies, mince, sausage rolls and pasties! Yum. Rick is explaining the subtle differences here to Jim.

Wonderful surprise (since we hadn't seen the blog post) to see Ian and Kate Hall there grinning at us at the Christchurch airport as we came down the stairs! Ian was festooned in his U of S golf shirt. Had a cup of coffee with them and a great visit before boarding the last flight, this time a turbo prop, to get us to Dunedin.We were met there by Gill Rutherford and treated royally from the drive in to the city, to a welcome stash of staples in our fridge at 47 Russell (see photo) complete with roses from her garden, to tea at her house afterwards. She's even lent us a plunger! (fyi, that's not for the toilet; it's a Bodem coffee maker :)

She's promised to haul us around to the grocery tomorrow. Wonderful to have such good friends. Our house is even better than we expected! Older place, with tons of character and fantastic views. Lovely welcome note from Sarah and Glenn, our landlords, with vase of flowers. This photo is of just off the dining area to a sunroom and backdeck. Clothes line in the garden just below. The house is not the one that shows up on Google map; there's a lane and our place is tucked in behind. We will post more photos once the grey clouds move on. We'd show you one of the city lights coming on in the harbour, but we're too sleepy! Heading for bed. Jim hauled luggage like a strong man all day and jogged to keep up. He has earned a good sleep. Goodnight from Dunners :) and thanks again to Halls and Gill for the welcome. We feel like we're home again.

About to fly

Hopped the airport shuttle at the hotel, and breezed through checkin and security at LAX. No one even asked about Jim's cold meds, but maybe they will when we clear Customs in Auckland. We board in an hour and a bit. Our friend Gill, ever faithful!, is picking us up at the airport in Dunners (we must start speaking like resident Dunedin-ers) on Wednesday afternoon and is even feeding us straightaway. Kiwi hospitality truly is unsurpassed!

Up until now

Just to catch you up on our Saskatoon to New Zealand adventure: We're spending a relaxing evening at the Sheraton with a view of LAX. We (Rick, Karin & Jim) have got a late checkout so we don't head to the airport until 7 p.m. Monday. We've been on the road since December 17; Jim was already in San Diego. We drove, had great weather and spent the first night in Great Falls, Montana, then made it to Spokane, Washington. We had an overnight at the

Innsbrucker Inn, Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed town in eastern Washington. We booked a room in advance; good thing because it was the last of the annual town Christmas lighting celebration. The next morning dawned with a heavy, thick snowfall with travel alerts and we were worried that Steven's Pass might call for chains, but we crossed without a problem. We stopped at Karin's old farm in Startup. No one was home, but we left a card and since have had quite a correspondence with the couple who live there today.

On to Nels and Gwen's in Newberg on Dec. 20th just in time for a family gathering and an introduction to all the farm animals. Had a great visit there for a few days, including an afternoon/evening in Portland before heading out and south. We made it to Stockton, California and late on Christmas Day, we pulled in at Erin and Michael's house in San Diego armed with gifts and the old gumball machine that we've had since the kids were little. Xan seemed impressed! We filled it with 'treasures' instead of candy. Benjamin was there and Julia came down the next day so on our 24th anniversary, we were able to have almost all the kids out for dinner. Michael and Xander were at home and Jim was at his mom's.

Can't quite believe what a little worker man Xander is and he reminds us that he's 4. He put in a lot of kms on his new two wheeler on a run or two down at Lake Murray, and kept up with weeding the garden, always a good skill for a man to have. Good to see old Nickels, now 7 1/2. A little slower, a little grayer, aren't we all.

We were able to help spruce up Erin's new office at St. Augustine University (well, we had a tour while Michael hung pictures and her degrees.) We were very proud to see Assistant Professor Schwier's new office and her brand new facility. Her labs are way cooler than Rick's! Don't ask what a wet lab is...

After a great visit, including poppers for an early New Year's Eve celebration, we packed up, picked up Jim and hopped (or as much as you can hop with big backpacks and carry-ons) on the noon Amtrack to Los Angeles. We are now spending a quiet evening at the Sheraton in LA and about this time tomorrow night, well make our way to check in at Air New Zealand! On Wednesday we'll be bright and shiny, trying to remember the combination to the lock at our new house: 47 Russell Street in Dunedin. Land of hobbits, orcs, wizards, sheep. We'll fill you in as we go!

View Larger Map

And we're off

Our first day -- a wintry but clear drive from Saskatoon to Great Falls, Montana. The first road day is usually long and hard, but that's not how it worked today. We talked like a couple of excited school kids most of the way. The roads were clear and the miles disappeared. The border guards at the Port of Climax were even nice. Just on the outskirts of Great Falls, Queen cranked up "Bohemian Rhapsody" so Karin and I did our best Wayne and Garth in the Mirth Mobile routine.



After finding a hotel, we found a little Mexican restaurant that you can see didn't look like much from the outside, but the food was great. Or maybe we were just starving.


View Larger Map

Then a long walk and some window shopping at a mall across the street from our hotel was a good way to finish the first day.