Weekend in Dunedin

Last weekend Steve attended a conference in Dunedin, one of the larger cities on the south end of the South Island. I went along and we made a little trip out of it, arriving early Friday and staying until Monday evening. We saw many flooded fields and roads as we flew over the southern countryside and when we landed in Dunedin, it was pouring rain. Our taxi driver into town promptly told us that not only had he woken up to snow that morning, but it had been raining for the last 21 years! So we had some very wet and cold walks around the city on Friday and Saturday, but fortunately the sun came out on Sunday and Monday.

While Steve was at the conference, I explored the city streets, read in cafes, went to the botanic gardens, admired the beautiful architecture, and wondered what it is that makes Kiwis so resilient to the cold dampness of their country. I saw so many people in shorts and jandals (flip flops) that if it weren't for being bundled up myself I might have forgotten it was winter. After the conference was over on Sunday, we rented a car - a model of Nissan called the "Sunny SuperSaloon" - and explored the Otago Peninsula and also a bit of the Caitlins, just south of Dunedin.

We also stopped to walk up the steepest street in the world - an impressive little side street that faces fields of sheep and green pastures.

Back in Wellington, the temperature is slowly dropping and the moisture is constantly high. We've been wiping mold off the windowsills and strategizing how to dry our laundry. Steve will have a taste of North American summer at the end of June when he heads to California. He'll be away for two weeks, attending a conference in San Diego and visiting family and friends in Ontario. I'll hold down our southern igloo, and try to pick up some extra shifts - at least the hospital is always warm.