Home
>
Foodlovers Non-Foodie Chat
>
Topic
Foodlovers Foodtalk Forum
Revisiting an old haunt
Posted by Ali W
Revisiting an old haunt November 03, 2019 07:27PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 676 |
Yesterday was a still and warm perfect day. We could have gardened, or cleaned or whatever, but we packed a picnic and decided at the end of our road which way to turn. Right to the beaches near Whakatane or left to Taupo or the west coast. Left it was.
On and on we went and eventually came to the seaside town of Raglan. As a child growing up in Hamilton we had a three week camping holiday there every year, and even after we all left home my parents continued to go for many years.
It was a sleepy quirky kind of village but there was so much to do - us kids were gone exploring all day or swam till we went wrinkly. Never was there a thought that we would come to any harm, camp concerts, film evenings and beauty contests were eagerly anticipated.
What a change! Not much of the same left in the main street but the Phoenix palms and the old pub - just cafes, cafes, cafes. Jamb packed and not a park for miles. We explored as much as we could in the area, had our lunch and scooted off home again.
Sometimes memories are better left undisturbed.
On and on we went and eventually came to the seaside town of Raglan. As a child growing up in Hamilton we had a three week camping holiday there every year, and even after we all left home my parents continued to go for many years.
It was a sleepy quirky kind of village but there was so much to do - us kids were gone exploring all day or swam till we went wrinkly. Never was there a thought that we would come to any harm, camp concerts, film evenings and beauty contests were eagerly anticipated.
What a change! Not much of the same left in the main street but the Phoenix palms and the old pub - just cafes, cafes, cafes. Jamb packed and not a park for miles. We explored as much as we could in the area, had our lunch and scooted off home again.
Sometimes memories are better left undisturbed.
Re: Revisiting an old haunt November 06, 2019 10:32AM |
Admin Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 7,920 |
I completely agree. We tend to romanticise things a bit with memories as well and the reality isn'tt always as lovely.
I've been to Raglan once, about 2 years ago mid-summer, dropping off kids for a music festival. there were not parks for love nor money so I high tailed it home again.
I am sure it has its charm though.
I've been to Raglan once, about 2 years ago mid-summer, dropping off kids for a music festival. there were not parks for love nor money so I high tailed it home again.
I am sure it has its charm though.
Re: Revisiting an old haunt November 07, 2019 12:37AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 5,388 |
Please don't take offense and this is stated very tongue in cheek. My son and his family live in Raglan. Actually the music festival you are referring to Helen, they get free tickets for the inconvenience of the noise. As they live out of the township and can walk to the festival location. They have lived in Raglan for over 10 years now. My son would absolutely love to see your comments re Raglan - as he hates the influx of people, and wannabe surfers ruining the protocol of surfing (ie crashing in on a wave). He usually heads off to Gisborne to surf for a week over that very busy period, in a more remote area.
And as my son is a local plumber - people ringing him because they have finally got back to their beach house after so many months, and find something has gone with the plumbing, and can't grasp the notion that he cannot drop everything no matter what time of day. They can ruin his holiday but he isn't allowed to ruin theirs by not being able to get there immediately.
Raglan has certainly changed from my childhood. Back then veryone stuck their noses up at the black sand. And you wouldn't go to school and say you had been to Raglan for the day. Now every man and his dog are out there, there are trendy cafes and art works and exactly as you said Ali.
Whenever we head out to see the family we usually call into the Hotel for a drink first - but never over busy season
And as my son is a local plumber - people ringing him because they have finally got back to their beach house after so many months, and find something has gone with the plumbing, and can't grasp the notion that he cannot drop everything no matter what time of day. They can ruin his holiday but he isn't allowed to ruin theirs by not being able to get there immediately.
Raglan has certainly changed from my childhood. Back then veryone stuck their noses up at the black sand. And you wouldn't go to school and say you had been to Raglan for the day. Now every man and his dog are out there, there are trendy cafes and art works and exactly as you said Ali.
Whenever we head out to see the family we usually call into the Hotel for a drink first - but never over busy season
Re: Revisiting an old haunt November 08, 2019 11:06AM |
Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 455 |
I agree about leaving memories where they belong. Last trip to NZ I went to look at the small farm we'd had. The road into the valley had been completely rerouted and sealed, and of course all the trees we'd planted 30 something years ago had grown so much I could see nothing from the road, and barely recognised anything. Was a bit sad really.
Re: Revisiting an old haunt November 17, 2019 12:44AM |
Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 607 |
Totally agree -sometimes it is better to remember things as they were rather than risk disappointment.
In general terms I despair at the amount of concrete being poured on the NZ landscape in the name of tourism. Where there was once a natural phenomenon, there is now a tourist attraction, complete with sealed carpark, toilet block, an overpriced cafe and a gift/souvenir shop. A good example is the Moeraki Boulders, near Oamaru - I haven't been there for yonks but we stopped off on a road trip from Dunedin to Christchurch earlier in the year for old times sake and to show our son who had never been there. I was horrified to not only see all of the above, but there was a wooden walkway down to the beach with a donation box at the top, requesting donations for the upkeep of the walkway - a pseudo entry fee. Other examples abound.
I know that tourism and its downsides are a worldwide phenomenon and I know that tourism is one of the major contributors to the NZ economy, but at what cost and where will it end, or will it end? I see in this morning's news that Milford Sound features in Trip Advisor's latest list of 'Wonders of the World', and while it's nice to read that as a proud Kiwi, do we need that publicity, if it going to result in an influx of visitors and the need for more toilets, carparks, ...........etc.
I am reminded of the Joni Mitchell song Big Yellow Taxi - while it was written years ago the lyrics are ringing true:
"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot..."
Sorry if I have gone a bit off topic.
Regards,
Barbara Anne
In general terms I despair at the amount of concrete being poured on the NZ landscape in the name of tourism. Where there was once a natural phenomenon, there is now a tourist attraction, complete with sealed carpark, toilet block, an overpriced cafe and a gift/souvenir shop. A good example is the Moeraki Boulders, near Oamaru - I haven't been there for yonks but we stopped off on a road trip from Dunedin to Christchurch earlier in the year for old times sake and to show our son who had never been there. I was horrified to not only see all of the above, but there was a wooden walkway down to the beach with a donation box at the top, requesting donations for the upkeep of the walkway - a pseudo entry fee. Other examples abound.
I know that tourism and its downsides are a worldwide phenomenon and I know that tourism is one of the major contributors to the NZ economy, but at what cost and where will it end, or will it end? I see in this morning's news that Milford Sound features in Trip Advisor's latest list of 'Wonders of the World', and while it's nice to read that as a proud Kiwi, do we need that publicity, if it going to result in an influx of visitors and the need for more toilets, carparks, ...........etc.
I am reminded of the Joni Mitchell song Big Yellow Taxi - while it was written years ago the lyrics are ringing true:
"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot..."
Sorry if I have gone a bit off topic.
Regards,
Barbara Anne
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.