Day Seven LOCKDOWN: 1 April 2020.
APPRECIATING THE THAMES
All this so called time and what do you do with it each day?
How will history remember this time in our town?
I realise now I should have kept a diary from the start, and will begin one on a separate page, while concentrating the main blog entries on topics for some lighter relief. Why? Just to hide from the reality - so this will be my switch off time.
Take the Challenge: Keep a diary from now on if you have not already started it, and record life in lockdown. I have put this challenge to a group I am part of an, and all going well we will convert our thoughts to print when / if the pandemic ends!
Whats happening at Thames? People have interpreted 'walking in your neighbourhood' as taking treks from one end of town to another. The cyclists cruise the streets. You see people walking past you have never seen in your life! Cars full of people drive on by, some people have regular visitors. People refuse to stop going fishing, or still indulge in mingling with non-bubble members. On-line shopping has increased so much, that it is booked fully, while the older members of our community are left wondering how to keep up a supply of food. Pak'n Save Supermarket continues to have long lines, especially on benefit days. Yes and flour has proved to be the product that everyone wants, as is the case throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Yes, I will record for history, that so far there are many who have have a very flexible interpretation of STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES.
WHAT DO YOU APPRECIATE ABOUT THAMES:
Maybe this is a wake up call to stop and walk our lovely streets. I know for one I miss even the beach at Kuranui Bay - I cant walk there! In fact I don't leave the property for my walk.
There is one thing though, or rather a landmark that watches over me - the KARAKA HILL aka The Una.
Have you ever done a pepeha?
It Starts With: Ko ____________ te mÄunga
(The mountain that I affiliate to is _________________________)
For me having lived within a few blocks of the Una, and spent my childhood running up and down, collecting pine combs and blackberries - this is definitely 'my mountain'.
KARAKA HILL at PapersPast:
If you use this search term ("Karaka Hill") at Paperspast, there are 490 results.
The references principally relate to mining claims and their locations.
DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS, 22 JANUARY 1870
There was a report in 1870, that will be something many of you have seen - the Una / Karaka Hill on fire.
DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS, 29 JANUARY 1870
There are mentions of Karaka Hill as being the address in Birth and Death Notices. While many of these residences were no doubt in the area we today know has Karaka Road.
DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS, ISSUE 4093, 3 OCTOBER 1870
DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS, 5 JUNE 1871
By comparison, if you search 'Una Hill' there are 1577 search hits to explore.
CLOSING: What is YOUR Thames Mountain, that you feel most affiliated to - we have several to choose from Parawai to Tararu. Interestingly, for many old Thamesites, it is probably Te Kohatu-whakairi-a-Ngatoroirangi aka Table Mountain - as you travel across the Plains it reminds you that you are nearly home!
A classic old view over Thames from The Una.
Kia Kaha - Stay Strong, Stay Safe Thamesites.
