Dunedin

We left Queenstown and continued our trip back to our starting point at Christchurch.  Our next stop was Dunedin where, despite moody weather, we had some more fantastic experiences. 

Although we had not planned ahead for a trip to the only castle in New Zealand, there it was in Dunedin.  On a day that was overcast and somewhat gloomy, it actually made for a very enjoyable, mysterious experience.  The Larnach Castle was built by a New Zealand businessman and has quite the tragic family background, including incest, suicide, and various family issues.  I couldn't help but wonder if this castle was one of the inspirations for Shirley Jackson's famous novel and then movie, THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE. You be the judge.  Feel free to do your own research. Here is a link: http://www.newzealand.com/au/article/new-zealands-only-castle/

View from the castle.

Jody and Alice.  Fortunately, Jody kept her head about her as there was no Queen of Hearts around this day.

Had to have my picture with Alice as well.

Remind you of , say, the beginning of THE WIZARD OF OZ in Kansas?

Like I said, MOODY!

Just beautiful gardens completely surrounding the castle.

I don't know what it is about the very wealthy that they always have to have lion statues around.  I guess it's because the lion is the "king of beats" and the statues make them feel "kingly."

And now it's time to go inside.

"Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl, but she doesn't have a lot to say.  Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl, but she changes from day to day.  Sometimes I love her a lot, but I've got to get a belly full of wine.  Her majesty's a pretty nice girl and someday I'm going to maker her mine, oh yeah, some day I'm going to make her mine."  The Beatles, ABBEY ROAD album.

Nothing better than a little John Donne to fit the mood of this lonely castle.

Beautiful, heavy furnishings everywhere.

We found the above and following statues in one of the bedrooms and intentionally or not, found them incredibly creepy.

"Can I knit you a shaw, deary?"

Shudder!

Please, don't even ask, I don't know.  It did come as somewhat of a shock upon first viewing.

A child's bedroom.  Gave me the creeps as well - perhaps due to the British movie, DEAD OF NIGHT.  Chills!

One of the more recent owners had an oil painting done of herself and then had real fabric clothing attached to it and framed. Un Huh!  As F. Scott Fitzgerald said, "the rich are different from you and me."

Once we reached the top of the castle, a proper fog rolled in.  Really, could this weather have been more appropriate?

And of course before leaving one must have some dining in the dining room and a stop by the gift shop.

So, as we take our leave of Larnach castle, I feel as if I've been on the sets of THE GREAT GATSBY, THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, THE INNOCENTS, and maybe even a little, THE SHINING.  A high point for this old fantasy and horror literature/film man.