A small lie in and after breakfast we wandered down to the Otago Settlers Museum. It had been highly recommended by our tour guide the previous day and we spent a far too short couple of hours there. One could easily spend more than a day. So much to explore, many interactive videos. Anne was very taken by the visiting embroidery exhibition of the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry. Evidently this display is travelling around the world, and Dunedin is the only place in our country to see it. I guess, being the 'Edinburgh of the South' gives it a special connection.
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| Panels from countries all over the world are displayed |
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| One of the NZ panels. |
All too soon it was time to return the the hotel and join those of our party who were going to Olveston House -
A ‘must visit’ for lovers of art,culture, heritage and history, 'Olveston' is lavishly furnished with exotic artefacts, prized artworks, antique furniture, ceramics and statues from around the world.
Olveston was built for Dunedin businessman, collector and philanthropist David Theomin.Designed by acclaimed English architect Sir Ernest George, the 35-room mansion was built between 1904-6 and styled as an 'English country house in the city'.
http://www.dunedinnz.com/visit/see-and-do/tours/heritage/olveston-historic-home
The website doesn't begin to describe what they have. David and Marie Theomin travelled widely, and collected well. Japanese visitors are stunned by a collection of carved ivory from their country, and say that they would be rare even in Japan.
The tour lasted an hour, and we wish it had taken twice as long. There are evidently other types of tours, focussing on e.g. the artwork (we remember several Frances Hodgkins). One that sounded fascinating is the 'Housekeepers tour', lasting two hours, and going 'behind the scenes' with the cleaning etc. Do visit the website for a better taste of what they have, as we were not allowed to take photos inside.
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| Olveston House from the drive |
From there is was a quick trip back to the hotel to collect more of the party who were then joining us on a four and a half hour rail trip up the Taieri Gorge.
Quite a magical experience. Lovely old carriages some brilliant photo ops and gorgeous scenery
http://www.dunedinrailways.co.nz/our-journeys/taieri-gorge-to-pukerangi
And a short selection of the pictures we took just to give you a taster.
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| Crossing a bridge |
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| Taieri River |
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| The schist rock walls, looking like a pile of toy bricks, ready to fall at a push |
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| Our carriage |
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