St Clair was buzzing from early this morning. At 6.30am the lights were still on along the Esplanade, and people were jogging, walking dogs, and venturing into the sea to swim and surf.

We packed, ready to depart, feeling a little sad about leaving. Dunedin seems a lively place, down-to-earth, down-at-heel in places, quirky and interesting, and surrounded by astounding beauty.

Friends I visited yesterday have an awesome antique French wardrobe-chest of drawers combination which only fitted into their house because it breaks down into seven pieces. It fills a whole wall of the bedroom and suits their lovely home.

Many of the houses in Dunedin are attractive old brick bungalows often in art deco and arts and crafts style. ‘Old and cold,’ said my practical niece. True, probably, but nice to look at.

My brother-in-law drew my attention to gulls each sitting on a post along a fence at the Royal Albatross Centre. This is one of my favourite photos from our trip.

On the wall in our hotel is this print which seems ‘very St Clair’ to me.

As we drove out of town we saw people gathering in Queen’s Gardens (ironically – or appropriately, depending on your point of view) to celebrate Waitangi Day. It would have been good to stop and join them. But, once you’re on the road there’s a compulsion to follow it home.

Later, at home, I sat in the egg chair and thought perhaps I could pretend that the sound of distant traffic is the sea.