I arrived in Oamaru on the Tuesday and had some time to settle in, and to dash about the Public Gardens for some dress photos, before heading to the Grand Opening. It was lovely to catch up with some of the members of the VHC committee and their associates. We had plenty of refreshments, some speeches and talks, and a performance of the cancan, which was followed by another, impromptu cancan where some of us were pulled out of the audience to join in. So, yes, it is possible to dance the cancan in a bustle dress (and not lose one’s hat). I have been informed that there this was captured on film but have not yet seen the evidence myself.
Wednesday was a quiet day – the calm before the whirlwind – as I got some more photos and tried to organise myself for the days ahead. Some friends arrived in the afternoon and we had a lovely dinner out, catching up with each other and going over our plans.
On Thursday I joined my friend Mathilda and her father for a tour of Clarks Mill, which was very interesting and gave me more of an understanding of what work was like for my grain milling ancestors. I had no idea that the wheat passed through so many machines to become flour and how many times it moved up and down the four floors of the mill (27 times!). In the afternoon we met up with some more friends for a stroll about the Victorian Precinct, a coffee, and a good catch up. We also met Mathilda’s friend Alethea who is also a historical costumer and a lovely person.
Dinner that night was on the train and, while a little awkward with some of the logistics, it was a unique experience. We rode the train out to the end of the line with our entrees, and then took a second trip once we had our mains. Fortunately, there were people at hand to hold onto our plates as we climbed up onto the train and someone to help us down if it was required when disembarking. There was also a string quartet who played in the carriages and we had the pleasure to listen to them in our carriage for the second trip out and back.
There was a bit of an issue with the food though – the entrees were super saucy and I was so nervous that I might spill on my dress. And when it came to mains all of the meals for various dietary requirements were left until last to be brought out, meaning that I received my vegetarian sliders as everyone was being ushered back onto the train so I was rushed to climb aboard.
Friday was the first full day of activities and events, starting with the Ball Practice, which is always helpful for learning (or relearning) some of the dances for the evening. We sought out some morning tea/early lunch afterwards, before Mathilda and I went to get our portraits taken. Tom, the photographer was absolutely lovely. He recognised me and told me that he followed me on Instagram, to which I replied that I followed him. As Mathilda was getting her portrait taken Tom’s lovely mum started taking down my details for their records and so I could be emailed a digital file. She recognised my name and said ‘oh, you’re Miss Temby! You were at the mill yesterday!’ as her sister had also been out there the day before. It is a strange thing, having a reputation…
We also attended a talk on the language of flowers and fans and got to make our own potpourri. Mine was made with lots of light purple flowers and daffodils, and scented with cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and musk. When I was showing friends later I was told that it smelt ‘romantic’. The Gardens are close to the Junction Hotel so we walked down to the Garden Party from there. It was so lovely to finally have the Garden Party back as the previous two years it had been rained out. We caught up with more people, ate some sandwiches and scones and enjoyed cups of tea, played some croquet, and posed for photos – one of which landed in the ODT the following day.
I was able to have a short rest after the Garden Party before it was time to start getting ready for the ball. It took me longer to get ready than I thought because I went all out with my 1870s, Early Bustle hair with lots of fake hair and big fat braids and the crowning glory of that was my star tiara. Being a masquerade ball I embraced the Victorian Fancy Dress angle and was dressed as The Night Sky. Unfortunately I didn’t get a lot of photos of this, as it was time to head down almost as soon as I was finished getting ready. Although, with the magic of a time machine see below a photo taken a month later for Christmas.
I was lucky enough to snag some partners for several dances, including a couple of my favourites like the La Rinka, Square Tango, and the Gay Gordons (so much twirling!!!).
We had a bit of a near miss with the weather on Saturday morning as it started to rain prior to the Grand Parade and the sky unleashed hail, sending everyone scattering in every direction seeking shelter. Fortunately it lasted only about 15 minutes before the sky cleared and the sun came out so the parade went ahead and nobody got wet. My group was probably in the middle section of the procession and found ourselves walking behind a lady on very tall stilts who absolutely dwarfed us. And then, for the first time in 4 years, I had a free afternoon as I had taken a break from organising and presenting the fashion show. Mathilda and I went back to see Tom to get another portrait taken after we visited Whitestone City.
I attended a very lovely high tea up at the Junction Hotel in the late afternoon, which was so beautifully presented. Each table had been set up in a different room so it really felt quite special and there wasn’t any background noise of other conversations. We were very well looked after with coffee or tea top ups, offerings of cake from the trolley, as well as getting the chance to learn more about the restoration of the hotel and to have a wee wander and explore. That was followed by a brief rest and a change of clothes to then dance the night away one more time.
Sunday was Fete Day and so many people descended on the Victorian Precinct it became a little bit difficult to get anywhere fast. When I got there, I stopped to talk to Tom and told him that I was probably going to end up pushing a few people through his door so they wouldn’t miss out on an amazing portrait, and then carried on to browse some stalls. True to my word, I managed to easily convince 3 different sets of friends to get their photos taken, and they all walked away with stunning family portraits. I spent a lot of time on my feet, migrating from one friend group to the next as we explored the farmers’ and the art and craft market (and, yes, I also forgot to eat anything). By mid afternoon, as the fete was winding down, I went back to my accommodation for a wee breather, and to get ready for my Belated Big Birthday Dinner, which was such a lovely way to end the Victorian Heritage Celebrations on (moreso than returning to my room and trying to figure out just how to pack everything back away in my suitcases).
