The groups of population on the South Island are more or less isolated by the sheer size of the land they are occupying. Small communities down south, on the West Coast, in the Golden Bay or Canterbury work in a way like families with well-defined subcultures, ways of words, intimate histories, secret jokes and unique characteristics. Canterbury likes all shades of gray, its breaks and holidays, crafts, sudden colors and can’t be bothered about spelling. In concentrated form I read this all between the lines when I check the opening hours of this place. Casual, hand-written, cheerful little signs like this, a burst of yellow, a hurried note is just for the eyes of the family, as mum leaves a note on the fridge. “I’ll be home after 8am.” Come in with a smile, we have change ready for you.