Larnach Castle

     Three weeks ago the City of Dunedin had a Heritage Celebration. Several buildings around town were open to the public for tours. The Archives was one of those buildings and was going to be open for half a day. It was on a Saturday, which is our day off, but we volunteered to go in. The staff brought several groups of people back into our room and we got to explain what we were doing. 
     It was a fun experience, and it also gave us the opportunity to take this past Monday afternoon off and go to Larnach Castle and check it out. We invited along the Elders since it was their P Day. It was fun to share the experience with them. Dunedin is the last assignment of Elder Berryhill's mission. He will be returning home in about two weeks. We were happy to help create some memories for him and Elder Daniel.

     Saved from disrepair in 1967, it was empty of furniture and in a very sad state. It has been lovingly restored, with many original pieces purchased back or on loan. There are a few rooms left to be restored as funds allow. You will see by the photos how amazing the woodwork is. The outdoor grounds are incredible. It is early spring and not everything is blooming yet, but it was still wonderful to tour the many paths and take in the scenic views. Hope you enjoy!!

Outside

The Carriage House to the side of the castle contains a cafe in a beautiful rustic setting. You can see the early blooms on some of the vegetation.

They keep the grounds up meticulously.

The glass area behind the left lion is where the Verandah starts inside.

The glass area behind the right lion is reception and gift shop area.

Front door to Larnach Castle.

Our co-adventurers..... Elder Daniel and Elder Berryhill.

The castle grounds have an “Alice in Wonderland” theme.  A quote from the story shows why Larnach Castle decided to do it:

Presently she began again. "I wonder if I shall fall right through the earth! How funny it'll seem to come out among the people that walk with their heads downward! The Antipathies, I think," (she was rather glad there was no one listening, this time, as it didn't sound at all the right word), "but I shall have to ask them what the name of the country is, you know. Please, Ma'am, is this New Zealand or Australia?"

I wonder if this door returns Alice home?

All the plants in this area are native to South Pacific Islands.

Which way to wherever?

The beautiful views keep coming.

Elders Daniel and Berryhill taking in the great view. The blue sky helps accent the beautiful trees.

Here is that great view. This is looking North towards the entrance to Otago Harbor. Just stunning.

Same view, different location.

These plants would be so cool back home.

This path behind the Carriage House leads to the "Queen of Hearts" Chair.

Elder Daniel enjoying the sunshine.

Side view of castle showing turret and roof area.

We found Alice in the back yard area near a wishing well.

We also found the White Rabbit but missed the Cheshire Cat. It's up a tree somewhere. We will find that critter next time we go.

One of the highlights of the tour was to climb the small circular stairway in the turret  to the roof….. what a 360 degree view. We enjoyed the serene beauty from above. The weather was one of the few semi-warm, sunny days we’ve had since we arrived in New Zealand. We are excited to return in the summer when the flowers and vegetation that are now dormant are in bloom. That being said, there is still enough vegetation growing to make it worthwhile to see.

Started down the stairs and met someone coming up. Had to turn around and go back up. Next time I called out "Coming Down" as I began my descent.

The long climb up the spiral staircase was worth the effort.

The view behind us is to the Otago Harbor side of the castle. Sister Edward, Elder Edward, Elder Berryhill and Elder Daniel.

This view is to the South Pacific side of the castle.

Larnach Castle is about thirty minutes from our housing. We are surrounded by beauty. This is the view from the top! Love it!

Inside
 

Told you the woodwork was incredible.

The castle tour is very inviting. They welcome you in and you are on your own to tour the place. There are a few areas that are off limits, but most of the place is yours to roam. They have the basic “Do Not Touch” rules, and a few items are roped off, but there is nobody watching your every move. By people respecting the rules, it makes for a much more enjoyable experience.

Drawing Room off of the Main Foyer.

Inner door of the Drawing Room.

Tile floor in the Main Foyer.

Stairway to lower level off of the Verandah.

Lower level landing.

Verandah continues around side of house with an entrance in the rear.

Bart is totally amazed at all this woodwork. Maybe we could expand our home when we return.

All the ceilings in the castle are incredible. This one is above the rear entrance off of the Verandah.

One of the fun things the owners offer people is the chance to have dinner in the dining room of the castle. There is limited seating, and it isn’t cheap, but what a fun thing to experience on an anniversary or special date.

Every castle needs a gorgeous sideboard.

Did I mention the ceilings? This one is in the Dining Room.

This is the Dining Room fireplace. I would love to eat dinner here.

The Master Bedroom is at the front of the castle.

Caught a castle tourist in this photo. She looks familiar.

Entrance to the Master Bedroom is on the left. There are two other bedrooms on this level.

Top level landing. The closed door is to the spiral stairway to the roof.

Did I mention the ceilings? OK.....  I did. This is the top of the staircase.

Treasures in every room. This is the Library.

In the music room there is a wonderful antique piano with a “Do Not Touch” sign. But there is also another piano with a sign that encourages those who can really play a piano to fill the room with music. It was fun to hear that happen.

This is the "Do Not Touch" piano.

Elder Berryhill filled the room with beautiful music.

Hope you enjoy the pictures!! You can see more at http://www.larnachcastle.co.nz/

Zone Conference, Albatross & Penguins

 ZONE CONFERENCE

We had some great experiences last week. We attended our first Zone Conference in the town of Gore, about 100 miles south of Dunedin. 

Gore Meetinghouse - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

We shared the experience with three other senior missionary couples and about twenty full-time Elder & Sister missionaries. It was inspiring to hear four of the young missionaries share their testimonies as they prepare for their missions to end in the next few weeks. You can feel of their love of the Gospel and their love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

On the way to Gore we passed through the town of Clinton. You can tell by this roadway sign that some people in New Zealand have a great sense of humor.

Our Mission President, Roger Hudson, was in attendance also. He is a very positive leader who brings out the best in those "called to serve". It was nice to meet him. Sister Hudson was back in Texas attending to their daughter and newborn grandchild. The baby was born with a heart defect and has now undergone successful open-heart surgery. President Hudson reported that mother and baby were both doing well. We all know that things can happen while we are so far away from home. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hudson family.

 

ALBATROSS

Saturday afternoon we went on another local adventure. We had already been out to the Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Point a few weeks ago, but this time we returned and went on the Albatross and Blue Penguin tours. 

Among the wildlife we saw on our adventure were these beautiful black swans.

Taiaroa Point is at the entrance to Otago Harbor. The darker color water shows the channel the cruise ships and cargo ships use to enter. They can only make it about halfway to Dunedin before the harbor gets too shallow to proceed. They offload at the shipping facility at Port Chalmers.

The lighthouse at the entrance to Otago Harbor.

We learned all about the life of a young Albatross. When they are about eight months old they take their first flight. What is really interesting is when they take that first flight, they are gone for five years..... yes, five years. They fly all around the Southern Hemisphere and never touch land until they return to Taiaroa Point. You can read more about them at albatross.org.nz

When taking pictures in this area you get photo-bombed by other birds all the time.

New chicks hatch in January - February and depart in September. Some of the young Albatross have already begun their journey, others will be here for a few weeks more.

The Albatross test its wings as part of the learning process.

Each Albatross wing has two strong joints that allow it to easily fold away.

A full-grown Albatross has a wingspan of over nine feet. Truly amazing birds!

ARMSTRONG DISAPPEARING GUN

Some of the observation areas we watched the albatross from were in an old military compound, Fort Taiaroa, build into Taiaroa Point. 

Looking north along eastern coast of New Zealand South Island from Taiaroa Point.

The compound has an underground tunnel system supporting their Armstrong Disappearing Gun. Built in 1889, it was to prevent invasion from the Russians….. who actually never showed up to invade. The gun would be raised up and fired. The recoil would send it back underground where it would be hidden from those it fired upon while it reloaded. The included photos show the restored gun in its original bunker.

Schematic of tunnel system.

Information about the Armstrong Disappearing Gun.

Entrance into the tunnel system.

Side-view of the completely restored Armstrong Disappearing Gun.

Sure glad we didn't need to be down here when they fired this puppy!

Debbie would make a great tour guide.

 

BLUE PENGUINS

Saturday evening, after dusk, we went on the Blue Penguin tour. We went down to the beach where the Centre has a platform built just above the rocks at the shoreline. Sure enough, we didn’t wait long and a small group of penguins came in. 

The first group of Blue Penguins pause at the rocks before starting the climb. The little straggler was limping along behind the main group..... he eventually made it to the top.

Here they come up the rocks!!

When they get up to the platform we were standing on they scatter in all directions to find their nests.

It was fun to watch their shadows as they pass by.

Another group of Blue Penguins approach the rocks.

They scurried across the beach and hopped up through the rocks to get to the vegetation where they nest for the night. This went on for about an hour. There were flood lights shining underneath the deck so we could see the penguins. They restrict flash photography so we had to make do with the available lighting for photo taking. Debbie was so excited to finally see some penguins….. magical.