"DONE...in Dunedin!"

Travel writing these days is a growth industry. Serious money. You go to any bookshop and there is various books on various parts of the world, giving you invaluable insights and tips on countrys, their cultures, places to see etc.

Before Richie and I set out we both purchased two travel books. Two differing opinions: a good idea, yes. Both of these points of reference will remain nameless unless we get hammered for copyright infringements but suffice to say we have a little issue with them. Both say that Dunedin, New Zealand's fourth largest city, is a place of beauty owing to it being settled in the early 19th century by Scots - it could be twinned with Edinburgh!

Well, if thats the case I will never visit Edinburgh in my lifetime, as quite frankly, the description is untrue. My travelling companion offered the view that both these authors must have got something out of the trip to have such a one-sided view...like of the female or alcoholic variety!!

It does remind me of an English city but one just coming our of the 1980's. We have also witnessed weirdness on a large scale, a guy parachuting down a road without a parachute, just acting like he thought he was flying - weird! A guy clapping! Yep, clapping as a means of getting change for playing such an obsurd musical instrument and a handful of drunks.

Having been spoilt so far this place is just not what we expected. Though we do have a roof garden at the hostel. Thank sweet mother of God for that roof garden: an oasis of relative beauty in a see of sh...well you get my meaning.

To Christchurch with all speed, please.