Ferrymead + Bridle Path

Welcome back to the blog! On Friday 16th of March, Kaupeka Hub was transported of to the Ferrymead Heritage Park, and the Bridle Path, its close-by trail leading to the top of the Gondola. Here a few questions I have been requested to answer.

What were the differences and similarities of the time you experienced at Ferrymead to now?
I was in a group that was based in the time period of 1860s. Needless to say, things were very different back then; pens were dipped in inkwells, and since the shape of the nib allowed the ink to run in a way you could write, you'd have to scratch the paper in order to write. Baking procedures were different also; to start, you would wash your hands in a basin which was filled with water mixed with soap, then you would mix the ingredients like flour, eggs, milk, or butter with a whisk, which you might still do. Children played with hoops, stilts, toy horses, bubbles, Jacob's Ladders, skipping ropes, or croquet. Some of these, like bubbles and skipping ropes, are still commonly used by children today.

From your experiences what do you think life was like at home in the era of your event?
At home, the standards were no less stricter than the ones at school, you were not to speak to your elders unless spoken to, you would have to address your older relatives as Madam, or Sir, and you were expected to give a lot of respect to everyone you met.

How do you think the early settlers felt climbing the bridle path with all of their belongings? 
It took my group and I roughly three-quarters of an hour to summit the Bridle Path, and that was challenging with a light backpack to carry. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to wear three layers of clothing and scale the mountain without a marked path and carrying everything you owned - We were told that someone pushed a grand piano up the mountain. I'm not sure exactly how they managed to do it, and I wouldn't like to try.

Find someone who was in the other group at Ferrymead and compare what it was like in the era they experienced to what you experienced.
Not everyone was in the 1860s; there was also a second group that was in a 1960s period group. Some of the variables included lead pencils instead of pens, they made scones instead of biscuits, an altered uniform (no hats), and used a go-kart for entertainment. They also had a male teacher and a female baker, instead of vice-versa.

Highlight/s from the trip
I really enjoyed the journey up the Bridle Path, it provided a good challenge to combat. I also quite enjoyed playing the typical games 1860s kids would've. In fact, I quite enjoyed the different set-up that I am used to (old classrooms instead of a modern learning environment).

How has this experience changed your understanding of your recount era?
Before participating on this trip, I had a rough idea of what the lifestyle would be like, but going on the trip has definitely sharpened my knowledge of it. As well as being informing it was rather enlightening of how fortunate I am.

Have you ever done something similar? Ever gone to the same or a different Heritage Park? Leave a comment below!