As some of you may know we were away for a week with the Silverdale Historical Society on a bus trip round the East Cape. It was a very cruisy week sitting back in the bus with everything arranged for us and an interesting list of places to see en route. Being a hisorical society we looked at a few museums and took in a bit of history as we went along.
First stop after the morning tea break at Drury was Paeroa with the usual array of cafes, op shops, antique shops, library, arts and crafts and museum. Had time to look in most of them except for a quick look in the museum. They have a lot of china of the Royal Albert ilk and the Society is thinking of making a special trip later on to go to that museum and also to Katikati to look at the murals.
Then it was on to the Mount, looking rather built up - and with a lot of tourists sitting at beachside cafes. Went for a quick swim for old times sake and was immediately transported in my mind's eye to 50 years ago when we had a family holiday at the Mount, staying in a bach near the beach and going swimming on that stretch of beach. It was exhilerating and worth the rush. The water temeperature was just a few degrees cooler than Orewa.
Then on we went to Ohope Beach, a wonderful, deserted, windswept beach, miles long. Stayed at a very pleasant motel Surf's Reach right along the far end of the beach. Had along walk before dinner at the Ohope Charter Club - a tasty smoked fish casserole which I must try and replicate - and cheap drinks.
The next day was the actual start of the East Cape tour - driving first to Opotiki for our look at the historical Anglican Church where Volkner was the missionary amongst the Maori population in the 1860s.
The Hauhau were in the Bay of Plenty and the people warned him not to come back after his trip to Auckland. They reckoned he was up there to report on activities but he came back and was killed. I won't go into details. The British took cruel revenge burning crops. Later Kereopa was hung. I think he was pardoned posthumously a few years ago. All very sobering. Went to the little church op shop next door and bought an old book on NZ interiors, a magazine and a set of 4 thin knitting needles to cheer me up.
Had been to the Opotiki Museum (Shalfoon and Francis Museum) which was housed in 3 big shops with many of the original fittings and stock of the general stores of these two people. They were originally from the Lebanon and the shops were in busiuness up until the late 1970s I think. there was a great array of everything under the sun - pots and pans, old scales, bottles. There was a sweet sshop set up as a grocery store with all the old tins and packages. They sold peanut brownies and sweets , traditional crafty items to raise money for there new building three doors up the road. It is already set up with a marvellous photo display.
First stop after the morning tea break at Drury was Paeroa with the usual array of cafes, op shops, antique shops, library, arts and crafts and museum. Had time to look in most of them except for a quick look in the museum. They have a lot of china of the Royal Albert ilk and the Society is thinking of making a special trip later on to go to that museum and also to Katikati to look at the murals.
Then it was on to the Mount, looking rather built up - and with a lot of tourists sitting at beachside cafes. Went for a quick swim for old times sake and was immediately transported in my mind's eye to 50 years ago when we had a family holiday at the Mount, staying in a bach near the beach and going swimming on that stretch of beach. It was exhilerating and worth the rush. The water temeperature was just a few degrees cooler than Orewa.
Then on we went to Ohope Beach, a wonderful, deserted, windswept beach, miles long. Stayed at a very pleasant motel Surf's Reach right along the far end of the beach. Had along walk before dinner at the Ohope Charter Club - a tasty smoked fish casserole which I must try and replicate - and cheap drinks.
The next day was the actual start of the East Cape tour - driving first to Opotiki for our look at the historical Anglican Church where Volkner was the missionary amongst the Maori population in the 1860s.
The Hauhau were in the Bay of Plenty and the people warned him not to come back after his trip to Auckland. They reckoned he was up there to report on activities but he came back and was killed. I won't go into details. The British took cruel revenge burning crops. Later Kereopa was hung. I think he was pardoned posthumously a few years ago. All very sobering. Went to the little church op shop next door and bought an old book on NZ interiors, a magazine and a set of 4 thin knitting needles to cheer me up.
Had been to the Opotiki Museum (Shalfoon and Francis Museum) which was housed in 3 big shops with many of the original fittings and stock of the general stores of these two people. They were originally from the Lebanon and the shops were in busiuness up until the late 1970s I think. there was a great array of everything under the sun - pots and pans, old scales, bottles. There was a sweet sshop set up as a grocery store with all the old tins and packages. They sold peanut brownies and sweets , traditional crafty items to raise money for there new building three doors up the road. It is already set up with a marvellous photo display.
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