Long and Deep

If I ever need reminding that we in Dunedin live in a paradise, I only have to take a short drive along the road to one of my favourite places.

Lots of exploring for my wee girl to do....

That's Saddle Hill in the distance (upper right).

For someone like me, who loves climbing rocks, there are plenty of weirdly beautiful possibilities.

Breathe long and deep.... The air is so clean and alive.

Sometimes it's just safer if you hitch a ride with Dad.

(This last photograph by V.)

Brighton, Dunedin, New Zealand

Heights of the Valley

I always get a kick out of roaming in these hills.

This is an unusual entry for a blog about Dunedin and The Phantom, in that it features neither...

...but I stayed at my Dad's place over the Christmas and New Year break, so let's call this a holiday diversion, featuring Kaituna Valley in Canterbury.

Leaving home behind in the distance.

Crossing the river, getting my boots full of mucky water.

Charred remains.

The swampy watering hole.

A long and winding road.

Scarred earth.

Another bend in a steep and twisting climb.

Across the tops.

A panting dog, and the orchard far below.

The ups and downs of wild slopes.

Down into the green.

The loneliness of being unhitched and abandoned.

Home stretch.

And how is the intrepid hill-climber rewarded? With a taste of his Christmas present, of course... The superb Talisker scotch from the Isle of Skye.

The Phantom 42: Past year recap.

The Phantom comic posts from the past year are listed here, along with
the title of each story and original publication date.

The Phantom 28: I hate him more than you do!
The Return of the Sky Band (1941)

The Phantom 29: Are you -- Santa Claus?
Little Toma (1937)

The Phantom 30: A marvelous physique.
The Crooner (1944)

The Phantom 31: Our baby... a girl?
The Heirs (1978)

The Phantom 32: Meet me if you can.
Adventure in Algiers (1938)

The Phantom 33: Why didn't they say so?
The Thuggees (1949)

The Phantom 34: On guard, Devil.
The Frame-Up (1968)

The Phantom 35: An elemental force for good.
The Jungle Gang (2007)

The Phantom 36: I'm the champion of the world.
The Heavyweight Champion (1956)

The Phantom 37: OK, GIRLS -- UNZIP!
The Mermaids of Melo Straits (1945)

The Phantom 38: A month's rest in the hospital.
The Masked Marvel (1948)

The Phantom 39: We don't kill unless we have to.
Visit to Baronkhan (1983)

The Phantom 40: A stab in the back.
The Phantom Goes To War (1942)

The Phantom 41: I need a husband.
The Hanta Witch (1965)

A wee jaunt across a Dunedin hill

The Phantom 41: I need a husband.

Like me, The Phantom occasionally sits down to read about the adventures of The Ghost Who Walks...

It's quite an offer. A gorgeous young blonde with lands and treasure wants you to become her consort, to help her rule her empire...

All you have to do is renounce your oath and turn your back on your duty.

For an ordinary man, a proposal such as this from the Queen of Hanta would be sorely tempting... But for The Phantom?

WRITER: Lee Falk

ARTIST: Sy Barry