High Tea at Oruawharo Homestead

I like to imagine that I’m a “High Tea” sort of girl – so what could be nicer than High Tea with our ICA rally friends at the wonderful Oruawharo Homestead, built in 1879?  Sounded like my sort of outing.  The house was built by Charles Tringham, a Wellington architect, in the Italianate Style.  We had been here some years previously, so were very keen to return.  Our High Tea was served in the pretty little church, Vincent’s Chapel,  which had been moved onto the property several years ago, and is now used for weddings and other functions.

Vincent's Chapel

After a very interesting talk given by owner Peter Harris about the history of the property, his wife Dianne served our lunch.,   Savouries, fancy little sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and a selection of cakes arrived at our tables, with a choice of fancy teas or coffee.  All served on “granny's” best bone china and fancy tea cups,   it was lovely indeed.  I was particularly intrigued with the tiny silver tongs to lift the sugar cubes out of the dainty lidded dish.

High Tea is served

Fully fed, we were invited to have a look through the homestead.  What a wonderful building it was – lovingly restored after years of  neglect, and only weeks away from being demolished.  The Harris’s couldn't bear for this to happen, so stepped in to buy it.

Oruawharo Homestead

Here we are, enjoying our visit

When you realise that the roof leaked, all the glass was missing from the windows, the house was infested with possums, rats, birds, and no doubt insects, and vines were growing through the walls, you can imagine the dedication and passion needed to bring it to a livable condition.  The house was empty, so suitable period furniture had to be sourced, along with everything else required.

Beautiful warm wood everywhere inside the homestead

I remembered that the lady of the house was a quilter so was thrilled to see examples of her work in the bedrooms.  Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to talk quilting with her, she was much too busy looking after all the guests.

Dianne Harris is a quilter too

There were lovely old photos on the walls, gorgeous paintings, tapestries, several collections of old dolls, wonderful colonial furniture -  such a lot to look at and admire.  I rather liked this set of Russian dolls set out on top of a gorgeous wooden cabinet.

Russian dolls

It was a wonderful visit, and our hosts were so generous in letting us wander through their lovely old homestead.  They appreciate all their visitors, we were told, as it all helps to fund the never ending maintenance bills.   A visit to remember, indeed.

Dolls at the Library

I’m a real library lover, and attend the local library Te Takere on a regular basis.  If I haven’t got a library book or two to devour and enjoy, I’m at a bit of a loose end.  A library is much more than books, magazines, and videos, of course, ours has a local history room, meeting rooms, a travel agent, and a cafe.  Plus an ever changing exhibition of crafts, paintings and pottery by local artists. 

Dolls are currently on show in the glass display cases, and there was something to appeal to all tastes.  Yvonne Pridmore makes the loveable calico dolls for the children's wards at Palmerston North and Wellington Hospitals and sends them off in time for Christmas.  How wonderfully generous to make these for sick children away from home over the Christmas season.

Yvonne’s dolls bring comfort and joy to sick children

The other dolls on display were made by Barbara Price, and were quite different.  (These proved to be a little more difficult to photograph with the lighting reflected on the glass cases.)

A selection of dolls on display

I am not a doll maker, but I loved looking at these and  admiring all the details.  Such a lot of work goes into making these lovely pieces.

Dolls of Joy

Tucked away in rural Ekatahuna is “Dolls of Joy”, Joy Cole’s much loved collection of 2000 dolls beautifully displayed in  four rooms.  This collection started slowly, as most do, and Joy started collecting dolls from markets and op shops.  They usually needed new clothes, and the knitting needles were kept busy producing  beautiful woollen garments to dress these dolls.  Prams, pushchairs, cribs and highchairs were collected too, and once Joy and hubby Bruce retired, they discussed how best to display the collection for people to view when visiting their other love, Waieka Country Garden.  The one room planned was not big enough, and this increased to four rooms, packed with dolls of all shapes, sizes and colours. 

There are some family heirlooms on display too.  This pretty blue dress was worn by Joy’s grand-daughter when she was flower girl at a family wedding.

Grand-daughter’s flower girl dress

And here is Joy standing with a doll wearing the flower girl dress from her own wedding many years ago.  How special is that?

Joy with her flower girl’s dress

I’m sure we all can remember the inevitable tea parties we enjoyed with our dolls.  Our dollies were arranged “just so” and were always well behaved, as I remember.

Dollies Tea Party

A collection of Asian dolls

Native American dolls

Two little gollies

Even more dolls

We loved looking at the beautiful knitted outfits, the tiny hand smocked dresses, pretty dresses with ruffles and lace, and a collection of wedding dolls too.  The “Twin Room” had twins galore, plus a smattering of triplets as well.  Dolls were arranged by country, then by manufacturer.  There were several little quilts hanging up on the wall adding another touch to the collection. We had a lovely time admiring Joy’s collection.  Our visit there was rather like walking into girly heaven.