I was setting off to feed the hens at around 4.30pm in the afternoon when I was puzzled by the sound of a motor vehicle, a rather large vehicle I thought. Completely mystified by this unfamiliar sound I proceeded to cross the yard to investigate further.
Hesitantly I peered around the corner of the big brown barn, where to my astonishment and utter amazement stood a brightly painted red, yellow and blue bus! Inside a number of people were already seated with the remainder clambering aboard in what one could only describe as "an excited manner". Some carried satchels whilst others seemed to be clutching a number of pamphlets. Obviously a good few were university students, ranging through to a trendy looking, not-so-young set. There must be a common denominator there somewhere I decided. Boldly I stepped out from behind the barn to sort this lot out (or so I thought).
"Here I say," I began.
"Oh hello, you've just missed it. It was super. There's another session next week I believe, see you there!" said the young bespectacled man, the last to climb onto the bus.
In a puff of exhaust fumes it was off down the track with everyone waving wildly to someone standing in the barn door-way.
I moved forward for a better look. My mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water - you could have knocked me over with a feather ... I was positively speechless!
"Pete!" I exclaimed eventually. "Pete, what are you doing here? Who were those people?"
"Oh, it's quite all right," he began quite casually. "I've been holding classes. Don't worry, I'll put the hay bales back, we just used them for seating."
"I don't care about the bales. What classes?" I demanded.
So, to cut a long story short, Pete (the impossible pet sheep) had ventured into the township the other Friday to view the display to help people wishing to set up their own business. - Women In Self Employment (would you believe!) run by Business For Change. He (Pete) had returned with the amazing idea of 'Intuitive Sixth-Sense Telepathy' lessons brought about by the alarmingly rising rates of Telecom and NZ Post he had heard of (it would save everyone money.) Everyone has these senses, he explained, and that is - believe it or not - what Pete is teaching.
Our conversation had been cut short, as he had this "feeling" of food about and had disappeared at a fast trot. Sure enough, on my return to the house I found a duck had upset the grain tin I had left on the path outside the gate for the hens. ... Assisting Matilda, the duck, to devour it was canny -or uncanny - Pete!
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By Liz Keast The Potted History Tour |
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