South Island Sunday. 5.4.15. Dunedin

We were diffident about our accommodation when we arrived here yesterday but it has turned out to be really good. It is a short way outside the city centre up a long rough gravel rutted driveway and appeared to be a modest home. The owners have 40 acres and have cows, calves, many ducks, ducklings, dog, cat, bird. Maya, the hostess milks the cows and makes delicious cheeses from the milk. Also sells fresh milk and eggs. Peter, the host, collects old Land Rovers to do up, has some interesting vehicles. They have a glorious and extensive garden of natives and exotics and the birdsong is constant. Our room turned out to be quite comfortable.
Today we explored Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. Dunedin is a most attractive city with beautiful buildings from the gold rush days in the 1870s plus. The Anglican cathedral is particularly lovely iwith an interior of pale cream Oamaru limestone. An elegant simplicity. Although small it is

St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral

A tiny part of the garden at Leithview BnB

Baldwin Street. The world's steepest street. 

One of the nicest cathedrals I have ever seen.
We drove slowly along the "low" road to the end of the Orago Peninsula stopping for lunch in the tiny coastal settlement of Portobello. Most of the road, with endless twists and turns, follows immediately above the waterline with ever changing water views. On arrival, we spent quite some time in the Royal Albatross Centre viewing their excellent displays. Then we walked down to the viewing area above the cliffs at the end of the Peninsula to see if any Albatross were flying. Yes, they were and we had some really close up views as they flew in over us. Fantastic birds. Huge wingspan and such ease of flight. Very happy to see them.
Returned to Dunedin via the Highcliff road which was very steep and narrow with huge views over both sides of the Peninsula.
Maya had a platter of her cheeses for us to try when we returned to the BnB. Quite exceptional. So, another good day, particularly as the weather improved steadily all day.