Mainly Arrowtown and its festival

Hello again!

Got a bit more gardening done today, and lit my chiminea for a while just to "cure" it for longer fires later in the season!

Back to NZ and the next part of the journey to the west coast! Arrowtown grew up from a gold-mining shanty town, and still retains its "pioneering" appearance. It was a beautiful day and the culmination of its week long festival! So, loads of pics from here before we move on next time!

The main street was closed to traffic all day and crowds of locals and visitors crowded the streets to watch the various entertainments going on!

This band entertained in the park - lots of Scottish music and songs!

There was also a Maori concert which was also very enjoyable especially when the Maori men tried to teach the Pakeha men how do do a haka!

"First of all you have to look fierce! Let's see you do fierce!" The guy in blue struck a pose exactly as a Maori would do with eyes large and tongue out! "Are you from New Zealand?" they asked him as everyone burst out laughing. It hadn't been expected that he would do that! "Scotland!" he told them. Nothing more needed to be said! There are lots of Kiwi rugby players here playing for Scottish teams. Both countries are big on their rugby - though the All Blacks (NZ) are a force to be reckoned with!!! (The All Blacks perform a haka before each game, by the way!)

Chinese men came to try and make their fortunes at the goldfields here and elsewhere in New Zealand. They kept quite separate from the white people, who really didn't accept their presence too kindly, and set up their own little village, Not much remains of it now but a few small houses like this one, and the store.

Modern Chinese have a far better time in Arrowtown today. Their noodle stall was very well frequented!

A stall at the market being held opposite the row of old houses of the town. The painting is of the row in winter.

The guy who had this stall had made some gorgeous things from sheets of copper,

including these flowers.

A stall holder and a passer-by having a chat! Walkies for this lovely little Bichon Frise obviously means being pushed in the buggy!

The Parade was about to start and people were gathering in front of the market, opposite the old houses.

Just as at home the parade was led by the pipes and drums! Missed the pipes! Just got the drums!

I was so busy trying to photograph the wee kiwi that I almost missed the pukeko on the right!
















These acrobats had been entertaining the crowds in the main street. The woman was so supple she could practically tie herself in knots! They got a huge cheer!



There were several vintage cars in the parade, these being just a couple.

A close up view of one of the vintage cars in the parade, a 1924 Austin 12.

After the parade the pipe band entertained. All Kiwis, they were very good indeed!

I saw two of these ladies in vintage cars during the parade, so was glad to have the chance to speak to them later as I had only just heard about the RedHatters from Eunice just days before. She's an honorary member of an American group! These ladies, two Helens and a Susan came from Cromwell not that far away.

It was an American woman who started the whole thing and now there are groups all over the place! It's all about dressing up in a red hat with purple clothes that don't go, and going out with other redhatters (over 50s!) and having fun!! A rebellious look at growing older!

Later, when the street had emptied and just a few stragglers were left, it was easier to see the style of buildings, and get an idea of the town's early days.

I love this house, very typical of the New Zealand style.
The plants growing up the side of the verandah are so pretty!

So as time was getting on it was time to leave Arrowtown, and it's where I am leaving you for tonight!

Talk again soon.