FLYING HIGH

SATURDAY 30th APRIL

  Scott's house is situated in Abbotsford on the side of a hill, and the view out of his livingroom window is on to Saddle Hill and is quite impressive:

  Got up at 9.00am and after coffee and toast and a bit of a chat we set off for the local airfield where we met Scott's pilot friend, Scott Montague.

   After warming up the four-seater craft, we took off going up to 1000ft and flew out over Dunedin towards the coast, which was much closer than I realised.  We then flew out along to the penninsula and threw a right turn and flew along the coast line.  We had to turn off before Taiaroa Head because it is a breeding ground for the Northern Royal Albatross with a colony of some 700 birds using it as a nesting ground. The three quarter hour trip simply flew by!

As can be seen from the photos there wasn't a cloud in the sky and visibilty was perfect. Fearing it could be a bit chilly I wore my thick zip-up shirt and fleece jacket.  Howewever with the enclosed cockpit heated by the sun I must admit I was far too hot!  The pilot, obviously better versed in these matters, only wore a T-shirt! Anyway, it was a great experience and a wonderful start to my stay in Dunedin.

  We returned home and picked up Scott's lodger Michael and headed on out to Roslyn FC Black team's match.  It was set on a slightly sloping pitch that had formerly been a tip, but was beautifully situated, nestling between the hills.

  The game got of to a poor start with the goalkeeper allowing a chip shot to slip through his outstretched hands and drop into the net.  Scott played at no 5 and struggled for pace against a speedy centre forward at times but defended gamely.  His team equalised before half time, from a low level goal kick that went over most of the opposition team before being latched onto by "Brownie" who slotted it under the keeper.  There was quite a transformation in the second half with Roslyn scoring two goals and dominating play, emerging 3-1 winners.  After the game we went to the club house where all eight teams congregated (the club was founded in 1888), and each captain gave a match report and nominated the player of the match.  Bianca, the only female member of the team - and not an unattractive one at that - with a crunching tackle that won possession on numerous occasions, won the award in Scott's team for her display at left back.

  Afterwards we went for a meal with a Scottish team mate, Robert, his wife and two young boys at a pub called Tramways.  The 400oz steak accompanied by two fried eggs, bacon, mushrooms, tomato and chips was enough to feed an army!  Afterwards we returned home at watched the Sydney Warratahs beat the Melbourne Rebels (Rugby Union), before calling it a night.  I was in bed when Skype went off - it was Robert and we had a good chat (he confirmed it was still raining in Sydney, and a couple of good meals had helped alleviate the loss Reilly was suffering due to my absence), before I finally went to sleep.