Carol is a born and bred Catlins local. She runs The Little Rocket coffee caravan alongside the Lost Gypsy in Papatowai.
“It’s an amazing community. I love the people, the beaches and the bush. It’s quiet, in winter there’s no one on our beaches. In summer we have a few more people walking the sand.
“It’s a really friendly place. Everyone talks to you in the shops. When my friends from Auckland come down, they’re amazed that people talk to you in the supermarket, because you don’t get that in the big towns. People ask you for recipes at the checkout. It takes a long time to do your shopping!”
She ranks Cathedral Caves at the top of any Clutha must do list.
“It’s amazing, quite spectacular, and it’s a beautiful walk down to the beach. Fun fact, it was named by Mr Hocken from the Hocken library in Dunedin. Also, I think our two beaches and bush walks here in Papatowai are really gorgeous. You can do the loop; you’ve got the beautiful forest and beach as well.
She took on the role of coffee making at The Little Rocket because she gets to hang out with the gypsies “they’re cool people” and meet visitors.
“I also love the whole process of coffee. It’s quite rhythmical. I knew nothing about coffee when I took this over. I had to learn really quickly, and I love it. And being a people person, I really love chatting to all the different people I meet.”
When she’s not handing over cups of hot coffee at The Little Rocket, Carol’s involved with the South Otago Theatrical Society, based in Balclutha.
“We do several shows a year. I travel a great length several times a week for rehearsals just to be involved with those shows. Sometimes we do a dance class, just for leisure, just for fun.
“I’m also involved in the local Tahakopa Primary School, just up the road. I do a little bit of part-time drama teaching there. We have six children, at the moment. We’re hoping for more. Any babies in the area are welcome. New mothers, welcome.
“It’s a really cool school because it’s so small and surrounded by bush. All my children went there, they loved it.”
