A town of just over 2,500 people. Before 1955 accessible via the wheezing and puffing of the Fell locomotives up the Remutaka range. Today passenger and trains, trains whoosh into the dark and whoosh out into sunlight from the rail tunnel.
A town of preloved antique shops, smiling in the morning sun. Grandma’s kitchen and living room are scattered amongst the dust on shelves, tables and window displays . Peaceful. Old world wooden buildings remain uncorrupted by the later generations ‘improving’ and smartening things up.
A child walks to school – sans SUV. A second child, with a backpack large enough to accommodate a lifetime’s learning and books, lost in rueful thought – a schoolboy with his beguiling mourning face.
A long established bowling green welcomes new members. An information board, ‘Sunday service, 10.30am’. St Andrews Church silent, until the children’s playgroup arrives.
The temperature has warmed up to 11 degrees.
David in Pen and Pics 