The Prettiest Quilt Shop in Town

There’s no doubt about it, as we drove past this cute little shop on the way to Greymouth, towing the caravan behind us, I remarked that we would have to return to this shop the next day.  Bright and colourful on the outside, I was sure it would be just as nice inside.

Pink Possum Quilt Shop

I was after some backing fabric for my second piece of traced out stitchery.  Yes, Sue had some of that and cut me a piece, then I had a look around the shop to see what else took my fancy.   There were plenty of fabric, samples, panels, notions, and lots of kits, I noticed.

Lots to inspect and admire

Yes, I did make a couple of other purchases.  I found an easy bag pattern, and of course I couldn't walk past  this little caravan kit.  Designed by Wendy Williams, all fabric, thread and felt pieces are supplied.  There was also a bin of $1 fabric pieces, so a couple of those were added to my purchases too.

These came home with me

Not far from Greymouth is the Runanga Miners' Hall.  The current structure dates from 1937, and replaced an early miners' hall from 1908 that was destroyed by fire.  The hall is notable for its place in  history of the organised labour movement in New Zealand, and was granted Historic Place Category 1 status by Heritage New Zealand in 2013.  Although looking rather worse for wear, it is currently being restored.

Getting a spruce up

Greymouth is the largest town on the West Coast, and was founded during the West Coast gold rush of the 1860s, but for 150 years after this its economy was based on coal mining and native timber forestry. These brought prosperity to the town which at one point had 47 hotels.  The central part of Greymouth was regularly flooded when a high tide coincided with a flood in the Grey River.  A flood wall (locally known as ‘the great wall of Greymouth’) now protects the town, and provides a pleasant walk along the south side of the river.

On the great wall of Greymouth

After a couple of rather hot and sticky days here, the rain has now set in.  But we’ve had time to do copious amounts of laundry, restock supplies, refuel the Jeep, and have a quick look around town.  We are moving on tomorrow, where to, I wonder?