And so to Rawene

No, I'm not in Ireland yet!  Found this sign in the window of an empty building on the waterfront at Rawene. 

 

The building is sometimes referred to as The Wharfhouse and could sure tell some tales.  From what I can make out it was first a hotel (1850), then a Methodist Parsonage and around 1903 became the first Hokianga Hospital, and served this purpose until the new hospital opened in 1909. 

Rawene was built in the early settler period and the town is proud of its history and beautiful environment and immaculately maintained historic buildings.  It is one of the country's oldest European settlements.

The population is around 500.

Rawene started as a timber centre.  Captain James Herd in 1822 had taken out the first shipment of kauri timber fom the Hokianga and in 1825 he returned with his own and another ship and 60 settlers between the two vessels. What adventurous, intrepid souls they must have been! 

We didn't cross the harbour on the ferry as these folk are waiting to do.

We did wander through the new gallery on the other side of the road.  I really liked this modern version of Maori weaving.

And, of course, we had a hot drink at the Boat Shed Cafe where one of the locals came to hang out with us.

The tide in the harbour was way out, the water still.  Couldn't ask for a more peaceful scene.

The old building on the V where the main street meets the harbour side road looks very cheerful with its new coat of paint.  It will make a happy sight for tourists as they come off the ferry. 

Up the hill guests from a wedding in the town hall were milling on the footpath.  None of them looked to be co-operating with the photographer.  The Spark building is a phone box.

There used to be a rusty old wreck of a boat along the harbour road but it's gone now and been replaced by another boat that has seen better days. 

Any ideas what use the forest pest control people have for egg boxes?

During our drive to and from Rawene we crossed four of the 10 single lane bridges that the government promise to upgrade to two way trafffic during a recent by-election.  I didn't count how many there were in total.  This one is two way and caught my eye as it was bathed in late afternoon light and looked quite flash for a Northland bridge.