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It was a very moving thing for me to find the graves of my great grandparents. They died in the 30s, I never met them. And there was a plaque for a man called Dick ( a brother, maybe?) who died in the Great War in 1918. And his wife Daisy, who died two months later. Maybe in the flu pandemic?
And then I found the graves of great aunts Vi and May - who I remember meeting as a child. The connection was made. My ancestors.
Updated May 16, 2009
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A word of warning. Cafes shut up shop really early. It was a cold, wet miserable day and my bus left at 5-45pm. So I found a coffee bar in the township with a comfy sofa and prepared to settle in. But then the floor was being swabbed etc and I was told they closed at 4. Golly, that's early.
So I walked up to the highway and all the cafes - including the one I had had breakfast at, were closed or closing.
When it was too late I did spot one on the side street near the railway station.
I had wondered why there were two small coffee stands one at each end of the town on opposite sides of the road - open early and still open as I left - when there were so many cafes in town. But now I know. They were doing a roaring trade but no where to sit in out of the wind.
The Riverstone where I had my brekky was nice but just a tiny criticism. My spinach and cheese roulade hadn't been put in the microwave for long enough so half of it was frigid.
Written Jul 25, 2008
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... from the top of the hill by the war memorial I saw more graves down in the valley. So I set off cross country along the ridge and found a useful style over the fence - and found some ancient graves, and some recent graves, lovingly decorated with coloured pebbles and glass flowers and teddy bears and all manner of decoration ... (but many Maori names so I was not hopeful because my ancestors were Italian and Irish) ...
Written Jul 20, 2008
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If you have relatives buried here then they will be registered on the Kapiti cemeteries website.
There are many really old graves here, which is why I kept searching for my ancestors even though they they weren't on the register.
Eventually I asked at the library and found there were at least four burial sites in Otaki.
PS Many pukeko sightings to be had in this area. What a beautiful bird with the dark blue plumage and red legs.
Updated Jul 20, 2008
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Because my great grandmother and father were both catholics, she was Italian and he was Irish, I had reckoned for sure I would find them in the convent cemetery as I had had no luck in the public cemetery.
But no joy.
I paused and admired the view. The rainclouds were gathering again. Though the climate in Otaki must be better than in Wellington because I had noticed the first daffodils were out in the gardens.
Written Jul 20, 2008
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I walked up the hill to the convent cemetery but it was just the burial sites for the religious who had served in the convent. Plus a depiction of the crucifixion as a war memorial for the boys from the attached school. There was a sign on the gate asking visitors to close it because of the sheep who kept the grass down. And there were signposts for the Stations of the Cross all the way. I found that interesting. Never seen them before.
Written Jul 20, 2008
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This little guy was guarding the time capsule on the lawn of St Mary's Catholic Church until 2050. I had a quick think and reckoned I probably wouldn't be around then.
But I was curious about what had been put in the capsule for the future to wonder about.
Written Jul 20, 2008
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Established 1844.
This convent, church and marae have been beautifully restored. Well worth a look.
On Convent Road which starts off as Te Rauparaha Road. Must be some connection to Te Rauparaha (famous Maori chief) in this area because I walked past a monument to him.
But I was after the convent cemetery on the little hill next to it. Looking for the graves of my ancestors.
Written Jul 20, 2008
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Accomodation- Restaurants - Bars.
I was so cold and wet and tired I really had to have a strengthening whisky - so I popped into this pub and really really liked it. (It is in the main township halfway between the highway and the beach.) Agreeable staff, one of the best smoking areas I have found. Quaint, old fashioned atmosphere. A little run down, but not seedy.
Unlike the third pub in town which was on the catty corner. That is called the Telegraph and I was scared of it. It had an entrance that looked like a mouth full of broken teeth.
Anyway, I asked the barmaid about accomodation and she was evasive. It appears to be cheap, maybe $25 for a single, but it is for groups. It seems. Like rugby teams. Who would obviously spend up big in the bars.
But no harm in asking for accomodation. I am sure they would warn you if they had a couple of rugby teams in.
Written Jul 20, 2008
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My great aunts, Vi, May and Phyllis used to run this cinema. I just remember visiting it and them as a child.
Now it is a playhouse, again. It used to be a playhouse apparently.
On a slow night in Otaki might be fun to go and see the local amateurs. I noticed they had a play on called The Country? This Country? Something like that.
Written Jul 20, 2008
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Driving to Otaki My father woke up that day and he was back in the past. Back in that time and place where all the dead are living. It came into his mind to visit his grandmother in Otaki. The woman...
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