A Step Back in Time

If ever you are in the Cariboo up Williams Lake Way make sure that you head up to Barkerville and visit the historical village there.  This was our second time there and it was brilliant.  The buildings are all housed on the original townsite where thousands of men and women from Canada and abroad worked hard in the 1800's to find their fortune in gold.  During peak season workers dress in period costume and many roam the streets talking to guests along the way.

One of the highlights of our visit was participating in a ‘schoolhouse session”. An actor in role as a schoolmaster kept us on our toes as we sat in a classroom from the mid 1800’s.  Mel and I had to don bonnets as apparently our hair would distract the boys from their schoolwork.  The teacher first said a prayer then our hair and nails were inspected for lice and dirt.  We were told to answer questions in full sentences ending our response with ‘Sir” and then not sit down until we were told to do so.  If we didn’t sit tall with our hands crossed we were reprimanded. Thankfully none of us did anything to warrant the use of the cricket bat as a discipline tool!!!!  Part of the lesson required us to practice handwriting on slates and then participate in a spelling test.  I got 100% on my spelling test and after looking a bit smug about it all was told in no uncertain terms “pride cometh before the fall Miss Nichole”.  That took the smile off my face in quick smart time. 

The boys quickly fell into line and sat still, answered questions in the correct manner and I think were mighty relieved that they go to school now rather than in the 1800’s. 

The actor was so good in his role that later on during the day when we saw him walking the streets of Barkerville we all tipped our hats or curtsied to say hello as he passed by!!! The teacher even remembered our names when addressing us in the street a few hours later.

Another highlight was visiting the theatre royal and watching a fantastic musical production called ….. The calibre of the performance was outstanding.  The singing was top class and the overall story that wove the musical pieces together funny and heartwarming at the same time. 

Without doubt though the highlight for the boys  was panning for gold.  An oldtimer named Gary helped the boys pan and they were fortunate enough to find a few small pieces of gold. Gary had a wonderful, patient way with the kids and told them that if they didn’t keep smiling then they probably wouldn’t find the gold.  He told them “if you stop smiling you stop relaxing, if you stop relaxing you get tense and then you won’t find the gold”  I reckon that’s good advise for all of us!!!

Simply wandering the streets, looking through the displays of houses and stores and listening to actors as they played out scenes and converstations from long ago kept us enthralled.  It has a ghost town like feel to it nowadays – especially of an afternoon when most of the visitors have left but it was once a bustling hub.  Commentators in the 1850’s even said of Victoria and Vancouver that they would never amount to anything as they were too far away from Barkerville. 

If you ever come to the Cariboo – get yourself to Barkerville.  Don’t forget to get to the bakery and make sure your nails and hair are clean if you go to school!!!

We experienced a cracking good series of storms in Barkerville our first night.
The storms kept coming for hours but the ever faithful TT held up beautifully.