Duddingstone Steps, North East Valley, Dunedin

The Duddingstone Steps... what can you say about a set of steps?I guess there's no better place than starting with how many there are. Depending on whether you count the step you need to take to step off the absolute top step that lands you onto Buccleugh Street as a step, or not (and I can't see why you wouldn't. Then again, I'm not the World Expert on How To Count Steps), there's 316 steps that make up the Duddingstone Steps. That's 316 little pockets of calf-burning rises, to get your heart pumping, and your breathing going.The steps were constructed way back when, back in those days when it seems folks may not have paid all that much attention in ensuring the rise between steps was consistent, nor whether the tread depth from one step to its neighbour was the same. Which makes these steps all the more fun to use... they're as steep as hell at the bottom, then start to level out a little towards the top (maybe the last 70 or so steps have a gentler gradient to them. But, by that stage you're getting close to being completely rooted from having bounced your way up the previous 230 or so steps). Also, Duddingstone Steps go straight up - so there's no real place to catch your breath, unless you decide to take your own little mini-break and simply take a bit of a breather on your way.Of course, none of this matters on the way down. Just watch those inconsistencies between the stairs' heights and tread depths as you scream down them. I once saw a school mate come a complete cropper as he went flying arse over on his way down, when we were trying to race each other down them way, way back in the 80s'. So, be a little more careful than what we were.I've plumped for a 5-star review of these steps, 'cause I reckon they should be on everyone's 'To Do' list if you're into a bit of casual personal exercise. They're free to use (well, 'Duh!'), available 24/7, and within very, very easy reach of anywhere in North Dunedin. (In fact, there's a bus-stop pretty much directly outside where they come onto North Road, so there's really no excuse for you to get off your backside(s), and go and give the Duddingstone's a quick once over.Cheers - Tony