Our Final Day

Tuesday, 23rd January.

Our last day and we were to spend it mainly on the coach travelling back to Christchurch, about 360kms away. We had our last brekkie together and the luxury of a fully cooked breakfast every morning will soon be a memory. Now my pot belly means that will be a very good thing.

We left the Hotel at 8am and travelled for about 5 minutes before we were disembarking outside another historic house and gardens once owned by another filthy rich Dunedin family and now the property of the city. Effin Hell was my reaction, this was getting like England with all its castles and stately homes.I trudged in reluctantly but again I left an hour later happy that I went. I think I am mellowing, my horizons and becoming very cultured and couth.

Olvestin House was built in 1904 and the design and thought that went into it was incredible. A family of 4 lived there and they had 10 servants including a chauffeur. They were well serviced. All the servants lived in the place as well. I could easily have lived in the style that the family were accustomed to. Once again, we had a great guide who took us through and she helped make our visit memorable.

The gardens were manicured and were quite extensive. The Kellyville Curator approved of these as well. Much to his delight there was a fully restored vintage car, a 1922 Fiat 510 Tourer housed in a glass enclosure next to the garage. This limousine was a classic example of elegant European motoring. 3.4 litres of driving pleasure, the car was used by the family for many journeys into Central Otago and up the east coast of the South Island. Great gardens and a restored car, what more could you want? It’s hard to do the gardens justice so I will just say they were pretty good.

After an hour or so, it was back on the coach, The wheels were going round and round all the way to Christchurch. There wasn't much to report on this drive. We stopped at Oamaru, an old village on the coast, for lunch. Yet another pie was the fare but this time followed

by a blueberry and licorice ice cream. Both were mouth watering.

The George Hotel in Christchurch welcomed us back when we arrived about 5.15pm and with final packing to do and a bit of a scrub up, there was no time for a NN.

Tonight was the farewell dinner with drinks provided, well some drinks anyway. We all met in the bar before dinner and discounted drinks were on offer. Ron and I had a couple before we made our way to the private dining room. When seated we waited for a drink but there was no action forthcoming. One, then another, then my good self, got sick of waiting. We were not impatient, we just were not camels. A couple of others surrendered and purchased some refreshments as it did appear there was a drought that night.

We ordered our selections and then a rep from Grand Pacific Tours made a little speech thanking us and wishing us all well. Just at the end, she announced that drinks were on the house. Very nice but she did manage to save the company quite a deal by delaying the announcement. Now there is one thing I know, it would be very rude to pass on such a kind and most generous invitation. Just it could have been a little bit more generouser!

The meal that night was probably the less appealing for the entire tour. It was still more than adequate and it would be churlish to complain. A presentation was made to Dave after a nice speech from one of our new English BFF’s. We had a fair idea of what some had contributed to the “Thank You Dave” fund and its fair to say that one or two of the couples must be struggling for a quid. Still, he received a tidy sum of $370 and he was worth every cent of that and more we felt. Such is life.

Ron and Joan were being picked up at 3.55am next morning to catch their flight to Sydney, 3 other couples were also catching that flight.

Lesley and I received a collection time of 6.35am and the rest were at much later times. We were happy with our early flight as we will be back in town, all going well, at 11am Melbourne time. We are both looking forward to our first night at home and then the arrival of our 2 favourite little men in the morning.

Our holiday has been fantastic and better than we hoped. The company was great and the rest of the group apart from one dickhead, were good to travel with. New Zealand too is a beautiful place with so many different regions. We did some things we would never have done going by ourselves and the accommodation and meals we experienced were absolutely first class. The memories and experiences we will never forget.