Peggy Sue in Cornwall

Peggy Sue just spent a week in Cornwall with Henry...you can see the first blog post of what they got up to here....

Rewa's Village, Kerikeri, New Zealand.

Henry & Peggy Sue enjoyed looking round Rewa's Village while in Kerikeri.

Rewa's Village is a replica Maori fishing village of a pre-European era.  

Henry & Peggy Sue imagined they were the occupants of the Chief's House

Welcoming any guests.

They then set off to explore more of the village 

This is the Kauta, or Cooking Shelter where food was prepared and cooked.

Off to explore more....

Peggy Sue points out that this area is forbidden.

This is a carved Pou Rahui (Restriction Sign Post) that would have marked an area on which a Tapu (Restriction) had been placed.

They walk down to the river where you can see the Stone Store and Mission (Kemp) House

Peggy Sue asks what is in there and Henry explains it is a storage pit in which Kumara (Sweet Potato) is stored.

They stand there for a while debating the merits of keeping food in an underground pit.

Peggy Sue wants to have a look inside.

Henry tells her there might be Weta inside so she decides not to go in!

Outside the Food Storage Pit is where small kumara were offered to Kiora, a vegetarian rat which was also a supply of food.

Peggy Sue and Henry discover Waka Tiwai/Tete a fishing canoe. 

 The hull of the canoe was hollowed out from the trunk of a Kauri or Totara tree.  Throughout the construction of a canoe rites and rituals were performed.

Peggy Sue found the site of an original Maori Hangi which is where river stones were heated above an open hole and once the wood had burned down, food was placed on the hot stones.  The food was then covered with leaves and buried for cooking.

Henry doesn't look especially impressed...

You can hardly see it!

To show what it would have looked like, here is a replica Hangi.

They continue on...

...and find two Ancient Waka, which were salvaged locally from the swamps.

Beside the ancient Waka are a 'punga' or anchor fashioned from a rock to take a rope which was tied to the waka.

The Bark Whare (House) was constructed by driving two rows of stakes into the ground and laying branches between them.  The roof is made from Totara bark.

Peggy Sue and Henry continue on their walk.

The walk up the hill.

Listening to the bird song as they go.

They can see the Whare Tohunga (High Priests Enclosure) and Pataka (Elevated Enclosure) ahead of them.

The front enclosure was Tohunga's and it was in need of repair and restoration!

This Whare was where the Tohunga lived.  They were experts in various aspects of Maori life such as Waka building, carving (Whakairo), tattooing (Ta moko), building of Whares (houses) as well as medicinal and religious practices.

The Pataka or elevated enclosure was perhaps where they kept their stores high up off the ground.

Peggy Sue Down Under in New Zealand

So what do you think of Nan & Pop's place Peggy Sue?  Henry asks.

It is lovely, replies Peggy Sue.  So warm!

Do you want me to show you round?  Henry asks.

Yes please.  Peggy Sue answers enthusiastically.

This is the fish pond, although there aren't any fish in it at the moment.  Nor frogs unfortunately.  Pop doesn't know why.  Henry tells Peggy Sue.

The lily is pretty.  Peggy Sue says to Henry.

It is a good size.  Henry agrees.  Do you want me to show you some other things?  But you got to promise you won't be too scared.

Sacred?  Peggy Sue asks.  Why would I be scared?  It is like paradise here.

Well...  Henry says...

Can you see up there?  It is a cicada shell.  Which is from an insect which is making all that loud noise you can here.  Mum says that it masks the usual sound in her ears that she says sounds like cicadas.

Peggy Sue gasps a little as she looks up.

Look here it is on my hand.  Don't worry there is no insect in there now, this is just the shell.  Henry reassures her and explains.

Here have a closer look, he says as he holds it out towards Peggy Sue.

Peggy Sue is not at all sure, but tries to be brave...but then....

Look, this is a bush weta.  Henry shows Peggy Sue another insect he has on his hand.  It is much bigger than a cicada and has longer legs and a larger body.

Peggy Sue tries to stifle a gasp...it looks quite a scary insect.

Honestly, there is nothing to worry about.  Henry tells her.

Look, it is just sitting here on  my hand.

Peggy Sue isn't convinced and Henry is a little puzzled as to why she can't quite share his love of insects.

It really won't hurt you.  Henry tells her.

Henry leaves her for a while to get over her shock and goes for a wander to see what else he could find.

Oh, another cicada shell!

Henry takes a closer look.

Hey Henry, what have you found.  Peggy Sue calls out as Henry looks around.

Another cicada shell.  Henry tells her.  Come and have a look.

Peggy Sue walks up the hill towards Henry.

She kneels down to have inspect Henry's find.

Oh yes I can see it,  she says.  

Not scary at all is it Peggy Sue?  Henry asks.

No, not really, and quite fascinating.  Peggy Sue agrees.

They have a look round to see if they can find a live one...

....they are successful and stand and watch it for a while making its chirping sound.