One of the biggest attractions of the area is the train trip through the Taieri Gorge. This historical train travels 70 miles through a remote gorge with steep walls. We boarded about 9:30 expecting to see lots of cars full of people from a cruise ship. But there were gale force winds out in the southern Pacific, so the ship never made it to the inlet. So this was a really pleasant, beautiful train ride. I rode most of the time in the open air between the cars. The train employees were really curious about us friendship force people. It was two and a half hours up the gorge, an hour in a really remote dusty town of Middlemarch, and two and a half hours back. The town was simple but had plenty of places to eat - the hotel/bar, the Lions club barbecue, and the cafe. We opted for beer in the bar and soup and meat pie in the cafe. It was a nice day.
When we returned we hit the thrift shop for cheap souvenirs and necessities, and then get ready for the farewell dinner. The surprise dinner was at the race track and Ian and I planned that we would both speak for our clubs to express our gratitude to the other club. Ian also hinted around that I would have another task when we got there. The task was to dress as a traditional Scotsman and carry the traditional sword and shield during the Haggis presentation. Yep, we had a real haggis celebration and plenty of haggis (a sheep's stomach filled with oats, grains, and cheap cuts and inerts of the sheep) followed by the "Address to the Haggis". My part in the celebration was to, on cue, put the sword to my shoulder and rush someone in the audience screaming at the tops of my lungs. And then, of course, be rewarded with scotch whiskey. I scared the bejesus out of Ron, so I was rewarded with extra whiskey.
We all said our tearful farewells and wishes that we could reunite in Austin or come back to Dunedin. Ah but the weather is changing back to traditional windy, rainy and cold (there is even snow on the mountain top this morn), so it is time to jump on the plane and head to Wellington. It is these moments that Zosia and I could do something big for our hosts to show our appreciation - ah but that is not the Friendship Force way - we much graciously accept the hospitality and friendship. If we are to do something big, it should be when we host another club.
We have had six days of excellent weather, I feel we came with the spring. It was sunny each day and always hit 70 F degrees. Thank you Dunedin Friendship Force.
Address to the Haggis - Robert Burns (an idiomatic translation)
Nice seeing your honest, chubby face,
Great chieftain of the sausage race!
Above them all you take your place,
Belly, tripe, or links:
Well are you worthy of a grace
As long as my arm.
The groaning platter there you fill,
Your buttocks like a distant hill,
Your pin would help to mend a mill
In time of need,
While through your pores the dews distill
Like amber bead.
His knife see rustic Labour sharpen,
And cut you up with practiced skill,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like any ditch;
And then, Oh what a glorious sight,
Warm-steaming, rich!
Then, spoon for spoon, they stretch and strive:
Devil take the hindmost, on they drive,
'Til all their well-swollen bellies soon
Are tight as drums;
Then old Master, most likely to burst,
'Thanks Be' hums.
Is there one, that over his French ragout,
Or olio that would give pause to a sow,
Or fricassee that would make her spew
With perfect loathing,
Looks down with sneering, scornful view
On such a dinner?
Poor devil! See him over his trash,
As feeble as a withered rush,
His spindly leg a good whip-lash,
His fist a nit:
Through bloody flood or field to dash,
Oh how unfit!
You Pow'rs, that make mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill of fare,
Old Scotland wants no watery ware
That slops in bowls:
But, if You wish her grateful prayer,
Give her a Haggis!
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