The Long Journey. Susan Wright
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and Katherine were married on a clear autumn day with James, Jean and the doctor and his wife as witnesses. Katherine carried a bunch of late autumn flowers that Jean had arranged for her. Afterwards they enjoyed a delicious spread of sandwiches, savouries and mouthwatering cakes. All too soon it was time to leave.
They must have made a curious sight driving through town. The cart was loaded with farm supplies, numerous cases and two dogs. Katherine and Helmut riding up front and immediately behind was the piano on top of which sat a small Chinaman. He was holding on for dear life with one hand while with the other he was desperately trying to hold onto a cane cage with a Canary singing its lungs out. Following closely, unobserved by those on the cart was the stray dog.
Chapter two
The journey back to the farm was through some of the most beautiful country Katherine had ever seen. For the most part they followed the river with its crystal clear water. The trees were a glorious profusion of colours from green to yellow to deep orange. There were gently rolling hills in the foreground and as a backdrop to the whole picture were the Remarkable mountains which would in a few weeks time be covered in snow, making the area like a fairyland.
The central Otago climate is one of extremes. In high summer the rock ranges baste in the heat yet overnight it can snow. Winter snow may drift a couple of meters or more followed by very severe frosts. Snow melt and rainstorms in the back country can cause rapid floods. Flash floods had been known to burst down the canyons and sweep everything away. Yet despite the extremes it never failed to instill awe in people, the share grandeur of the place commanded admiration and amazement.
‘Beautiful isn’t it?’ said Helmut.
‘Yes it is.’ Katherine replied. ‘I feel I have to pinch myself to be sure it is all real. I’m impatient to get out my water colours and capture it all.’ She continued to look around her in fascination. Although very tired after the long drive she was unwilling to close her eyes for even a second so intent was she in observing the scenery. It was quiet and peaceful with only the birds and an occasional rabbit moving. Katherine thought that the rabbits were rather endearing creatures but this was not the way Helmut viewed them. She could well understand this after he explained the reason why. In 1866 the first rabbits had been introduced to the region. Within ten years they had spread over the whole district and had brought ruin to many run holders. Then in 1885 twenty-eight weasels and six stoats had been liberated to control the rabbits this resulted in an extermination of native bird life. She made a mental note not to mention again her feelings of delight at watching the playful rabbits as they bounded about. The landscape was awesome and gave one the feeling that this must surely be the centre of the entire world. The sky appeared gigantic and seemed to go on into eternity. Everyone that came here could not help but be affected in some way by the beauty and loneliness of it all. You could feel as if there were only you in the whole world to enjoy this quietude and tranquility.
Both were lost in their own thoughts. Katherine was thinking on things from an artist’s point of view on how best to capture the beauty of it. Helmut gave a slight chuckle, was it only a week ago that he had left to buy some provisions for the farm and here he was returning with a Chinese cook and the most remarkable thing of all this woman sitting beside him was now his wife. As for Too Gum, well, who knows what he was thinking.
The first night they camped on the same spot where previously they had all met up, Katherine slept in the bed roll by the wagon again and Helmut slept amongst the grain with the dogs for warmth. If Too Gum thought this strange behavior for those on their wedding night he said nothing but went about his chores in his quiet methodical way.
The next day as they made their slow progress Helmut told her about his childhood and the place where he had grown up. He informed her that he had been raised in a small village called Titisee which is in the Black Forest.
‘I have always wondered why it’s called the Black Forest,’ she said.
He explained that it was because the mountains were covered in Spruce trees which are an evergreen and have a dark appearance hence the name Black Forest. His mood was one of nostalgia as he recalled his childhood memories.
‘I can remember my brother Otto and I went boating on the lake. We were fooling around and the boat capsized. Fortunately we were able to right it again and came to no harm but of course when our father found out we were beaten and not allowed out of the house for several days.’
‘What did your father do for a living?’
‘He made cuckoo clocks.’
‘Cuckoo clocks…You mean that.’
‘Yes of course, the region we came from was famous for two things, one was cuckoo clocks we were known as Stadt der Uhren or the city of clocks and this is what my father did for a living. As you might well imagine we had no excuse for ever being late as we were surrounded by clocks.’
‘You said there were two things your village was well known for.’
‘Well not just our village but the whole area was known for growing cherries.’
‘Cherries?’
‘Yes cherries, the lush valleys grew cherries which were made into a Likor I am not sure how you say it in English.’
‘Liqueur.’
‘Well this was known as Schwarzw�Cder Kirsch which means a drink and I might add it was very potent as my brother and I found out. One night we stole a bottle from our father’s cellar and then crept upstairs to our room to drink it.’ He chuckled as he recalled the occasion. ‘Well all I can remember was being violently ill afterwards which was far worse than the thrashing that we received. I must admit though that this one time that we deserved being thrashed. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemies.’
‘What the hangover or the thrashing?’
‘Both,’ he said without hesitation causing them both laugh out loud.
Katherine then proceeded to relate certain escapades that her and her brother and sister had experienced as children. By the end of the day they were both feeling decidedly more relaxed in each others company. That night they followed the same pattern as the night before, Katherine in the bed roll by the cart and Helmut amongst the provisions with the dogs for warmth.
Now it was late afternoon on the third day. Helmut informed them that once they went over the next rise they would see the farm buildings. He had described in detail the house to her. It sounded lovely and now she was anxious to see it for herself. Suddenly near the top the hill he called out ‘Woo-oop’ and the two huge animals came to stop.
‘What’s the matter? I thought we were nearly there.’
‘We are, but I would like you to walk with me to the top and view where you are going to live.’
He knew he was probably being foolish but somehow he didn’t want to share this moment with anyone else. He took her hand and helped her down and for a brief moment he hoped that she was going to leave her hand in his. They walked in silence and then there was a picture of such beauty that it caused her to have a quick intake of breath.
The house was situated on a small hill overlooking the river and nestled below in the trees of glorious autumn colours were the farm buildings and to the right she noticed two neat rows of cottages, three on each side, these she supposed would be for the married workers. The homestead was built of the local schist stone, which could sparkle in the sunlight with colours of green, gray and mauve. It was two-storied, as he said, but never in her wildest dreams did she think it would be so large. Even at this distance it appeared palatial. Built around three sides was a large veranda which she would come to appreciate in the very hot Otago summers.
She stood absolutely still and speechless for some minutes and then turning to Helmut, she just said simply, ‘Thank you for letting me share this place with you.’
As he observed her he knew the tears were threatening to come again. ‘I hope you will be happy here.’ He took her hand again and this