Wow! Just been tin-kettled!

**Okey Dokey** · 20th July 2008, 13:58

Moved to a new home a couple of weeks ago. Just before 8 this morning, as I was clearing breakfast, I heard a noise ouside. Looked out the window to see carfuls of neighbours, most of whom I had yet to meet!

They brought bacon, sausages & eggs and set up a BBQ while I kicked the toaster into life. We had beer and bubbles and the kids all tore around- what a fun way to start the day!

I think they were a little disappointed that we weren't actually caught still in bed. Imagine what that would be like...

Anyhoo, I really appreciate my good fortune in coming to such a welcoming place. I wonder if any other kbers have experienced a "tin-kettling", as they called it?

**Virago** · 20th July 2008, 14:17

I've never heard that expression before. I'm guessing it's more of a rural welcoming tradition?

What a great way to meet the local community...!

**klingon** · 20th July 2008, 14:17

Wow! What a brilliant idea! May I venture to guess that you've moved to a rural community? If you lived in Auckland and your neighbours all showed up at once, you'd lock the doors and call the cops

Nah just kidding. I have been known to pop over to welcome new neighbours with a batch of muffins or a bottle of wine (stopped doing that after one neighbour politely declined and I realised I was making some pretty big assumptions by offering alcohol to complete strangers who may not be able to deal with it as well as he did...)

I've never heard of tin kettling, but I will keep it in mind next time someone new moves into the street

**klingon** · 20th July 2008, 14:21

hmmm... from http://www.abc.net.au/rural/breakfas...s/s1373357.htm

"Have you ever heard of a tin-kettling? It is a custom that's been going on for generations in country Australia...as a means of welcoming newly-weds to a district. It involves sneaking up to the newlyweds house at night... then banging tins, kettles and wooden spoons together to create one hell of a racket... and - hopefully - scaring the bejeezus out of the couple inside the house."

Sounds like yours was a bit of a variation of this - but I like your much better!

**Okey Dokey** · 20th July 2008, 14:26

Yes, it is a rural community. And yes, the local version of tin-kettling sounds like a lot more fun than the night-time version. Typical of Kiwis to do something a bit better than our mates over the ditch, eh?

**Coyote** · 20th July 2008, 14:33

We've done our best to stay well clear of neighbours after the last ones pushed us out of the neighbourhood

**scracha** · 20th July 2008, 14:41

Sounds better than my neighbors who after 3 or 4 weeks sent their kid over to ask for $10 to cut our grass as ours was getting too long for their liking.

**Headbanger** · 20th July 2008, 15:36

Damn, I wished my neighbours would send their kids over to mow the lawn, At $10 thats a steal.

**Blackbird** · 20th July 2008, 16:07

Originally Posted by Okey Dokey

Anyhoo, I really appreciate my good fortune in coming to such a welcoming place. I wonder if any other kbers have experienced a "tin-kettling", as they called it?

Good on you - makes the world of difference

. When we bought our house in Coro, it was only intended to be a holiday place. However, all our neighbours are permanent residents and they turned up when we first arrived with fresh snapper, cake and so on. That was the main reason that we moved here permanently and they're treasured friends now.

**martybabe** · 20th July 2008, 17:20

Never heard of it, What a nice tale, I usually get the opposite, what would that be, a rusty potting, anyway yeah my new neighbors usually gather up the kids and run indoors.

Nice to hear of some good neighbourliness. enjoy.

**Daffyd** · 20th July 2008, 17:26

I thought from the title that you'd been T-boned by a cage!

**Dooly** · 20th July 2008, 17:32

It can be a great life style in the country.

When we moved in some neighbours came around a few days later with gifts and food.

Every year all the residents in our no exit 1.8 km road get together at someone's place for a piss up & BBQ.

We have a children's activity camp on our road with full kitchens, large hall etc and they hold parties for the road folk too.
Its all good being country bumpkins!

**FJRider** · 20th July 2008, 17:34

I think is called southern hospitality on the mainland... is it rural or suburban north otago .... ??? I'm betting the former...

**KiwiRat** · 20th July 2008, 17:35

Nice one!

When I moved to Raglan, the local Mob affiliates thought the Outcasts were comin' to town.

Twits.

**oldrider** · 20th July 2008, 17:55

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Good on you - makes the world of difference

. When we bought our house in Coro, it was only intended to be a holiday place. However, all our neighbours are permanent residents and they turned up when we first arrived with fresh snapper, cake and so on. That was the main reason that we moved here permanently and they're treasured friends now.

Gee whiz Geoff, that sounds too good to miss, how would you like some permanent squatters to treasure?

Cheers, John.