LIFE ON AN ARROWTOWN FARM – HILARY CAPPER
We had a treat this month. Although our main speaker had to postpone his talk due to ill health it meant that we were able to continue with Hilary’s story of her early childhood on an isolated farm between Arrowtown and Queenstown.
Hilary has a great way with words and her description of walking over the beautiful countryside of Central Otago and particularly her memories of the wonderful views and light struck a chord with many of us. Life was fairly basic – looking back people realise that the important things of life were given their rightful place – family, outdoor play and work, good food mostly grown on the property.
Impressions were retained for a lifetime of the glorious views at sunset when the snow covered mountains would reflect the colours of the setting sun. Also memories of skating in solid farm boots on a small iced over pond on the farm. No electricity – just a very efficient coal range, the cold trip to the “long drop” toilet (Mum didn’t like us to use the word “dunny”!) and the outside washhouse.
We all had a brief return to childhood – Hilary’s descriptions had us right back there. Memories of one of the last bullock trains driving past their property was a reminder of how much things have changed.
Our mini-speaker Jean Archer also gave us an interesting insight into her experience of becoming the proud owner of one of the ceramic poppies which had been used at the display in the moat of The Tower of London as part of the commemoration of soldiers who died in the First World War. Each poppy represented a soldier and Jean was fortunate in having her request for purchase of a poppy granted. It was quite a business getting the poppy sent to New Zealand – fortunately it arrived safe and sound and was there for us to see.
