(photograph © Kiwidutch)
One of the next places we pass though is the small west coast township of Bulls.
It’s not too far from Palmerston North and is deep in beef and dairy farming country so it’s name suits it perfectly.
The place got it’s name after a certain Mr. James Bull who founded the town and opened the first General Store here.
Wikipedia made me chuckle when I did some research and discovered that Bulls is (naturally!!!) twinned (or should that be “coupled”?) with the town of Cowes in The United Kingdom.
The locals put themselves on the map by having a laugh at themselves so invariably the local police station is the place where you will find the ”Const-a-bull”…
… and the mural on the garage door of the police station is hopefully not of the local “Cow-boy” officers of the Law. Even the local Sherlock Holmes depicted is rather a beefy chap. Other local establishments also used their imagination so there’s the (Bulls) C.A.L.F Childcare centre, a shop called “Trash and Treasure-a-bull” etc.
We had a giggle and admired the residents for having a great sense of humour…
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
I actually know friends who used to live there! Can’t believe they didn’t tell me about their const-a-bull! Wonderful to read about it from you
Comment by Imported Kiwi — August 17, 2012 @ 3:25 am |
Imported Kiwi,
It’s comments like yours that Make my Day!
You always expect to find “something new” when in countries other than your own but uncovering a hidden gem, something quirky, a new attraction or just plain fun in your own backyard is for me REALLY special.
It might encourage you (and other Kiwi’s) to visit here one day, it advertises the brilliant sense of humour of the local residents and spreads the feel good factor. That for me is EXACTLY what blogging is ALL about! Thank you!
Comment by kiwidutch — August 17, 2012 @ 8:56 pm |
Great. I love the painting and the humor.
Comment by Sartenada — August 17, 2012 @ 5:15 am |
I really LOVE how they have taken their name and used it in a fun way… Bulls is a town that puts a smile on your face as you pass though, and what better reputation can a town have than that?! I agree, the painting is brilliant!
Comment by kiwidutch — August 17, 2012 @ 8:59 pm |
I have never heard of this before! I LOVE it! LOVE the mural of the “Bulls”…..
I have to ask, did you get the “tent” made by Thursday?
Comment by zannyro — August 17, 2012 @ 1:32 pm |
The tent isn’t made sadly (they are on holiday but sadly I am not) and I decided not to kill myself trying to get it finished just because kids have a whim. (besides I didn’t have enough material to finish the job and the shop is open just a few days a week, Saturday is the next day, but I also have to study). Back to topic LOL… I think it’s fun how Bulls has turned their name into a creative trademark and made themselves a place that people visit and remember
Comment by kiwidutch — August 17, 2012 @ 9:14 pm |
Really a smart move on their part! I TOTALLY understand about the tent! It takes a LOT of time
Comment by zannyro — August 18, 2012 @ 12:06 am
Luckily for them it’s a Brother-in-Law with ALL the kids Weekend that was planned a while back. One Sil is recovering from an Op yesterday, (Himself had their kids all day yesterday and took them to the camp site and he and other BiL will look after them util their Dad joins them later today) I’m going to study, do physio exercises, study, blog, study, blog and sleep all weekend, and other SiL is taking it easy at home.
It’s not intruding on my weekend plans and they are camping with all their cousins and with 30+ C degree temps next days so I *think* they won’t miss it right away anyway!
A kid free weekend! Nice to open my work notes without a kid interrupting to ask where their shoes are
Work’s been busy all week as most of my colleagues are still on holiday (my kids still are too) so a restful weekend with some peace to get my study work done is bliss!
The tent… big deal request from them I know, but the more I think about it, the faster it’s becoming a joint winter project they can help with
Comment by kiwidutch — August 18, 2012 @ 7:50 am
YOU ARE SO BUSY!!! But enjoy your weekend! Sounds wonderful
Comment by zannyro — August 18, 2012 @ 12:49 pm
Well, I wonder if Bulls and Cowes visited Vacaville (“cowtown”) California on their honeymoon?
Comment by Luddy's Lens — August 17, 2012 @ 4:59 pm |
OOOHhh Wooo Mooo!!!! I’d LOVE it if they had!
I wonder how many towns around the world would fit into the Bulls/Cowes/Vacaville theme? I know there are places called “Bovine” around the world….and there’s a Cowsbridge in the UK.
Comment by kiwidutch — August 17, 2012 @ 9:24 pm |
Now you’re on to something: There are (at least) three different towns called “Bovina” in the U.S. alone!
Comment by Luddy's Lens — August 18, 2012 @ 8:10 pm
Udderly hilarious! How far do you think I could beef this out with puns on all things Cow related? It be-hoves me to try, both to milk it as much as possible and to steak my claim to probably the corniest blog reply ever.
If I think hard I might be able to take the bull by the horns and rustle up a few more suitable place names, but don’t want to steer you in the wrong direction.
Only a Cow-ard would do that, and realistically calving a place in blogging history probably take more than this anyway.
Someone out there in the blogisphere probably wants to tan my hide for carving up the English language in this manner.
(served with pepper sauce or Horseradish do you think?)
Comment by kiwidutch — August 18, 2012 @ 8:39 pm
I know where Bulls and Cowes could send their children to school – my college alma mater – the College of Wooster – uses the acronym C.O.W. for quite a lot of things LOL
Comment by Carrie — August 20, 2012 @ 1:38 am