Back to New Bern, USA
10 November 2017
New Bern’s historic district is quite beautiful. The muted shades of Downtown clapper board houses are reminiscent of Farrow and Ball paint colour charts. Largely 19th and early 20th Century, the homes exude a quite gentility, the sidewalk (pavement) studded by flowering crepe myrtle trees overhanging the wide streets. As the seasons slowly turn, pumpkins, ghouls and fall (autumnal) coloured wreaths decorate steps and porches. The Ghostwalk allows a glimpse inside as the New Bern Historical Society enacts short dramas on location in the private homes setting the scene for life over the last 150 years from slavery to bomb shelters. Monks direct hungry visitors to local churches providing refreshments amid the catacombs.
Events are frequent it seems. Most weekends something is going on in New Bern. The MumFest took a while to decipher. Bands, yoga, food and carnival - all for mums - but not the ‘mother’ kind of mum, but the flowery chrysanthemum. Oriental, the town down the road, had its own musical event. Porches (they are a big thing here) held gatherings of solo and groups of artists, playing to yards (gardens) of people drifting around and about. Food and crafts again featured highly with clusters of stalls selling all sorts from clam chowder to seashell necklaces and crocheted hats. The ice cream wasn't too bad either.
All this frivolity was under pinned by hard work. The design and construction of new window coverings (affectionately known as net curtains) - much needed as the originals were self-shredding, plus toilets were serviced and pipes cleared out and replaced. Always a lovely and enjoyable task.