Had the best cheese roll on Saturday at Mrs Clarks Cafe in Riverton, where we ended up after attempting to attend the Ngai Tahu Hui A Tau at Colac Bay but the weather intervened. Incredibly strong winds had blown down the main tent and prevented the hui from beginning on time.
In the end we only caught the opening addresses by Ngai Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon and CEO Anake Goodall
And of course we had amazing kai at lunchtime in a tent which felt as though it was about to lift off. While the experience was precarious weather-wise and we didn’t get to hear the main discussions, we did see all of Ngai Tahu (or Kai Tahu as we say in my part of the world) working together to battle the elements. It was uplifting (literally) and a great experience.
And then there was that cheese roll. Perfect.
PS: I meant to add that someone I was with on Saturday coined the apt phrase to describe the cheese roll as “the sushi of the south”.
You earned that cheese roll Clare.
’sushi of the south’ – I like that, will have to start using it!
The coldest place I’ve ever been is Riverton – it was August and there was a mean Southerly blowing and it made it miserable and freezing. It didn’t help that I got a chilly reception when I was in the cafe having lunch and the locals asked if I was there to close the bank as I had turned up to do an audit of the furniture and computer/office equipment they had. (The branch is still open over 10 years on.) I had to convince them that they wouldn’t send me as I was just the office boy. Actually, I was in charge of a small team, but that’s how I explained it.
Anyway, I had volunteered to do Riverton as my mum grew up in Otautau, which was only marginally warmer.
Hi Clare,
I am so pleaed you enjoyed my cheese rolls! My husband and I own Mrs Clark’s Cafe and it took some convincing on my part to put them on. My husband is from Wellington you see. He loves them now and is a convert for sure. I actually call it “Southland Sushi” and although I think it is very funny, a lot of people unfortunately DONT get it. Those who do have a good old laugh though.
Last year our art centre held a fabuklous exhibition to celebraste an icon. The cheese roll. It was such a fun exhibition and it was quite successful. Myself and a local lady took awayt the title of best cheese roll and I did a demonstration on the making of them. Great fun and so many people went away with different idea’s.
It was such a shame that the Hui got such terrible weather, but it isn’t always so, much to the disbelief of all the northerners! It was, however wonderful to see Colac Bay bustling like it once did.
And although I am not beyond reproach and mileds from perfect…I certainly hope the chilly reception wasn’t recieved here at Mrs Clarks Cafe. We pride ourselves, and are well known for our friendly and warm service. Some days are hard and long but I always try my best for all that walk in the door.
Well best regards, and I hope you come back again.
Cazna Gilder
Cazna
What can I say! Not only will I return but I will be an advocate for Riverton, Colac Bay and the cheese roll forever. And I’m not joking. I don’t remember ever going to Riverton before. Though my parents must have taken us there at some point. The weather was extreme on that day, but still its beauty shone.
If you read my first post on the cheese roll, I quote Keats and that says it all.
http://blog.labour.org.nz/index.php/2009/10/14/ode-to-the-cheese-roll/
And, as Arnie says (in one of those Terminator movies); “I’ll be back”