The Introverts Guide to Greytown
As a local introvert myself, I can attest to the delight that can be had quietly exploring our rural village.
If you start early you could probably do all of the below activities in one day, or take your time and just pick out one or two suggestions that you find most appealing.
Write some letters
I love both to write and receive hand-written letters. Who doesn’t, right? If you enjoy epistolography as much as I, start with a visit to the bookshop and pick out some greeting cards. We have cards featuring original artworks by a range of local artist as well as designs from shores as distant as Canada and the UK.
Oh, and we even have our own postage stamp! This will get any card delivered in New Zealand and two stamps will get your letter to most international destinations. The closest postbox to the bookshop is located outside Fresh Choice.
Now that you have the foundation, take yourself and your blank canvases to one of the cafes for a morning of analogue correspondence. Try:
Wander among the trees and cottages
Greytown is New Zealand's home of Arbor Day and we have some really special trees within a short walk of main street.
The Greytown Historical Society have produced a Heritage Trail guide for the village. In addition to a wonderful list of historic homes and points of interest, the map also features two of my favourite Greytown trees:
St Lukes Gum Tree at #27 on the map — the subject of the popular children's book 'Over The Hill to Greytown' — has stood on our Main Street for more than 160 years.
The row of Lime Trees at #35 on the map. The lime trees have lots of seating underneath them so if it's a sunny day, take a book and a journal and make the most of this peaceful spot.
Maximise the rural vistas
If a few significant trees and historic homes haven't quite satisfied your appetite for rural living, I highly recommend the Woodside Rail Trail. Suitable for walking or cycling, and if you bought your dog with you they're welcome on the trail too.
Indulge in some retail therapy
And if it's shopping you came for but feel that your wardrobe is already plentiful (we are well know for our very fine dress shops and gift stores), here are my five favourite non-dress stores:
Grand Illusions While it might appear from the outside to be a garden boutique, keep walking all the way down to the back and check out Craig’s incredible and ever changing collection of cut glass.
Jet Greytown is full of curiosities. I challenge you to find a store who fits more stock in per square meter. If you're a sewer of any variety you'll delight in Victoria's wall of fabric.
Blackwell & Sons, our big brother store across the road at 110 Main Street. It's been called "The Harrods of Bike Stores" by people who've actually been to Harrods.
Miss Maude before I opened a bookstore I really wanted to open a knitting store in Greytown. Emma and the team at Miss Maude have created something better than I ever dreamed of with a whole range of delights for discerning knitters and stitchers.
Imperial Productions features hand painted toy soldiers. They are open at whim and recently the whim seems to strike them less and less so if you see the doors open consider it your lucky day!
