MARMALADE

We do not import fruit or vegetables into Norfolk Island.

We grow what we eat.

We may have to "go without" at times, but what we have is always fresh and seasonal'

Many of us have fruit trees, and we usually have more than we need, so we share what we have with family and friends.

There is plenty to go round, and there is the added bonus of knowing it is grown without lots of chemicals, ripened naturally on the tree, and very little in the way of carbon emissions in transporting it!

This year we are having a great citrus season. We do not have a lot ourselves - just a bush lemon ot two, an old orange tree that has just started bearing again after we cleared around it, a very sour mandarin, and a "Mary B" grapefruit (named after me) that has refused to bear after an over-severe pruning a couple of years ago.

There is also a young Meyer lemon, and an Egyptian lime which are still very young.

But we have been given lots of lovely fruit - Vanuatan grapefruit from John and Jan, yellow grapefruit and mandarins from Edie, tiny limes from the other Edie (they pack a punch!), oranges and mandarins from Shirley. And I have been able to buy plenty from our new Growers' Market.

And I have been making lots of marmalade!I really love cutting the peel. It is so therapeutic. Grapefruit peel is my favourite. It stays firm, but is not as chewy as orange peel. These pink grapefruit were a surprise and made a fantastic batch of marmalade. But as the season, and progressed, the flesh went a yellowy-green - but the marmalade still turned out great!

I must have made more than six or eight different batches - grapefruit, mandarin, sweet orange, 3 fruit, 4 fruit, chunky, fine shred. I even took the squeezed orange shells from Matt's stall at the markets and made a really lovely orange one.

Fortunately our bush lemon tree is loaded with fruit, because I always add the juice and pips of a couple of those to help with the setting.

Here are some of the jars in our old food safe.

There is no mystique about making marmalade. Some of the recipes make it sound complicated. I must admit my technique and process is a little different from most recipes. I always strain both the peel and the flesh really well.

Quantities? Well I must confess to "eyeballing" and fudging, but it always seems to work. And I have won first prize in the local show for the last two years, so I must be doing something right!

I suppose most people would steer clear of misshapen and black-skinned fruit like this in supermarkets on the mainland. But a bit of a scub with a pot scourer brings them up nice and clean. The fruit inside is not affected.

And we are so grateful for our lovely fresh and safe that we enjoy in such abundance here on Norfolk Island.

RAU-TI and other garden friends

The other day, Bernie and I were sitting on the front verandah, and noticed that the Rau-ti bushes were all in glorious bloom.

I was about to get my camera, but was distracted, and did not think of it again until the next day. Unfortunately some wind and rain had meant that the blooms were past their best by then, but they are still so very beautiful.

The Rau-ti plants, members of the Dracaena family, are found throughout the Pacific Islands, and are extremely useful as well as decorative. The Polynesians have used the long, broad leaves for making "skirts". leis and headgear, and other decorative purposes. I notice that our Fijian friends favour it to line serving dishes.

They can be used to wrap around food that is to be baked in an oven or on a fire. The root can be used as a food, but it is far more popular when fermented to produce a highly potent alcoholic beverage!!

Devon has many Rau-ti plants scattered around, both the red and green variety. This is partly because it was one of Bernie's mother's favourite plants. She always had a cutting or two sitting in water in a big jardiniere in the kitchen fireplace. They are easy to strike, and as soon as they had developed roots, they would go out into the woodland or the garden.

Bernie and I have carried on the tradition, although we tend to place the stalks in a garbage bin of water at the side of the house. Gradually we have spread them further through the woodland, as well as the road frontage and some of the bushes have become really big.

You can imagine how the bees love these blossoms!

But yesterday, I saw a lovely butterfly enjoying them too!

I don't know if it is the time of year, but the 'Nutmeg' bush (Iboza)in front of the house has burst out into very similar fluffy blossoms!

Meanwhile, I was ready last month with my camera to capture the old Persimmon tree, beside Devon Cottage, in all its Autumn glory this year. I am usually too slow to get it at its best, but I managed to get this shot before the wind and rain produced a carpet of red and gold on the ground!

GIRLIE TIME (plus one small boy)

It all happened rather spontaneously the other morning.

Tina had dropped Sally round to our place, so we could go through some old photos, and compare memories. She stopped for a coffee, and then Kim arrived with William, so I could mind him for the morning.

Now Tina and Kim have been inspired by Sally's knitting. Over the past few years Sally has produced lots of rugs out of feathery wool for her children, grandchildren and even their pets. They agreed they would like to start on some projects of their own.

Next thing, while we were all discussing things like needles, patterns and wool, I went off and found lots of bits and pieces of yarn in my stash. And next thing we were all getting quite chatty and excited the way girls usually do over things like colour and fabric and needlework.

Bernie walked by a couple of times, and the look on his face can most charitably be described as 'puzzled.' It was a look, accompanied by something between a sigh and a sniff, that said "how on earth could we get so worked up about things like that, and surely we had better things to do?"
But William had great fun. Hopefully he will grow up to be a SNAG (Sensitive New Age Guy)

The time really passed so quickly, but it was fun while it lasted!

My collection of "Big Buttons" - must get William onto playing with them and sorting through them.

TEDDY'S BIRTHDAY

There are lots of good places to 'get-together' on Norfolk Island, and currently one of the favourites is for 'Breakfast at Governor's'. So a special occasion was planned for Teddy's 6th birthday last week, with family and close friends - and all the food you can eat!!! Even more special was the fact that his granny (my sister Sally) had made a special visit to Norfolk Island for the occasion!

Now Teddy loves loves exploring and discovering things. You might say he will be a scientist when he grows up, but Teddy insists he is already a scientist. So his Granny gave him a Scientist's outfit for his birthday, complete with white coat, specs and magnifying glass!

Another of Teddy's special passions is CUSHIONS! That may sound strange, but with cushions, you can count them, stack them, arrange them in patterns, balance them, cuddle them, throw them, jump on them, squeeze them, and when you a tired of all that, you can put your head down on them and have a rest.
Ross the Upholsterer keeps me supplied with remnants, so I made a set of cushions for Teddy using some very special fake fur fabric.

Kim made Teddy a special volcano and dinosaur cake - two more of his special interests! Sister Sienna is keen to tuck into some of that yummy icing.

William just loves parties, and we captured him in a fit of the giggles here.

FAREWELL TO MAYE
Our Tuesday Craft group has been meeting for about 16 years - now that is longevity!
A couple of times a year, we 'raid the kitty' and go out to lunch. Last week we had a special reason - to say goodbye to Maye, who, together with Pastor George has been with us on Norfolk Island for about five years. We had lunch at Hillcrest, and continued on in the dining room for our Craft session. Unfortunately, Ann, who actually manages the hotel, was called away urgently to New Zealand a day or two before.
Maye has really been a very valued member of the group, with her happy and optimistic nature, her wonderful stories, and her amazing "productivity" in the craft line. At the lunch, Maye unveiled her "Norfolk Island Quilt" which she has put together. We all contributed squares, and Maye added them to some of her own special blocks, and put together this wonderful reminder of her time on this island.

Around the border, Maye has placed applique flowers, using skills and techniques she learned while in Rarotonga.

This is one of the blocks I made for Maye, who has a passion for collecting pigs!

This is Annette's wonderful contribution. It shows the new church house, which the Porters moved into last year. It also shows George and Maye's amazing flower and vegetable gardens.

We will miss you and your lovely smile Maye. We hope that you and George really enjoy your retirement, and that you come back to Norfolk Island soon!

ROMANTIC
The most recent stage of our 'Stitching Together' Round Robin involved interpreting the theme "Romantic" for Jane in Havelock North.
I chose to use my favoured medium of Crazy Patchwork, and called my piece "Crazy for Romance".
I have used lots of old and sentimental bits and pieces. For instance, some of the threads came from an Antique shop, and proved to be wrapped around a letter and news clippings dated back to January 1944.
The lace with the crowns was produced for the Coronation of Edward the VIII. As we know, this event never took place, because of his romance with Wallis Simpson!

The centrepiece is an old cigarette silk I was lucky to acquire a few years back. My mother had a collection of these, but by the time I had plucked up courage to ask her for them, she could not find them, so I was delighted to be offered some at a good price.

Most of the fabrics are vintage or exotic silks, and I have included part of an old doiley from my collection.

Some of the other laces were given to me by Margaret, whose mother used to sew lingewrie for private clients in the 30's and 40's.

There are some vintage Mother of Pearl buttons included, and some old pearls. I have also used some crystal beads from a necklace I used to wear as a teenager.

The tatted rose is my own work, but brings back lovely memories of being taught this skill by an old island lady back in the late 1960's.

You cannot have romance without hearts, and I have included a charm, a lace motif and a button in this shape.

I am rather sorry to tell you that the back of this page is silk from as wedding dress I bought from an Op shop - perhaps a sign of a broken romance??

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY
On Norfolk Island, not much happens on our Queen's Birthday Holiday of an organised or official nature. On Monday there was a wonderful opportunity for Norfolkers to get out of the house, abandon the normal daily routine, and enjoy what was an absolutely glorious winter's day.
Bernie suggested we head up to Palm Glen to catch the last day of 'Art in the Park.' There were many people walking up and down the mountain tracks, as well as enjoying the Exhibition and the views.
Some of the exhibits had already been dismantled, but we really enjoyed what was there.

This was a clever representation of a 'Barbie-Q'.Here is a wonderful display of colourful birds.The displays we most enjoyed were those from my niece, Tina. She had erected two large perspex sheets, which represented postcards from herself and her children.

The 'recipients' were invited to enjoy the view - and everyone who saw them certainly did just that!!

This 'postcard' reads:

Dear Annie

We wish you could come and visit us. Norfolk Island is beautiful all year round no matter what the weather is like.

My favourite view is of Phillip Island. The colours are always changing.

There are plenty of places for peace and quiet to relax. Some are easy to find, like the beach. Others are hidden.

It looks like we will be here for a long time. It is too nice to leave.

Hope you can come for a visit soon.

Love

Crisitina Rose.

Then we went down to Cascade Pier, and there were lots of vehicles down there, people on the wharf fishing and cleaning fish, and fishing boats setting out or returning home with their catch.

Bernie and I decided to round off a beautiful morning by going to 'Hilli's' for lunch. On the way, we had seen the Pony Club kids riding up Cascade Road on a trail ride. I was not quick enough with my camera at that time, but was delighted to see them ride down Queen Elizabeth Avenue by the restaurant.

It was such a beautiful relaxing morning, and was a reminder that we should be very grateful to live in such a lovely place like Norfolk Island.

CELEBRATING BOUNTY 09

Early in the morning, two big haunches of pork were placed on the spit.Peter had his new Bounty hat ready to wear in the parade. It was made for him by Edie. The picture also shows his shell beads from Tahiti, and a lei made the previous evening by the Tahitians.

One of the best things about the day was having our Tahitian cousins with us - Gladys, Amelia, Sylvia and little Gladys. They had surprised us when they arrived off the plane on Saturday! Gladys came to lunch with a couple of bottles of her famous "Diesel" cocktail. We have some pretty cold, wet and windy weather lately, but Bounty Day was just perfect, and everyone enjoyed getting together outdoors.

There was a lolly scramble on the lawn while we waited for the pork to be ready.

And the meat was worth waiting for! It was cooked to perfection. It was great to see the young fellows pitching in to help carve the pork and ham.

There was cricket on the lawn, and a great game where you tried to hit the people in the middle with balls. Some of my wool felt balls that I produced earlier in the year were pressed into service! It kept the kids entertained for ages!

The best thing was seeing all those kids (about 15 in all) - ages ranging from 2 to 14 - playing so well together!

Good to catch up with folk. Norfolk is a busy little place, and sometimes you need an occasion like Bounty to stop and catch up! There were over 60 of us at "Devon" that day.

Fun on the Jumping Castle! This has been a wonderful investment!

The "Sweets" table - so much to choose from!

Such a lot of good things to eat - Norfolkers are wonderful cooks.

This picture says it all - good company, good food - and life is good!

SIGHTS AT SEA

On Friday John and his mates headed out to sea in "Gran Lady" for a day of fishing.

The seas were good, and they were hopeful of a good catch.

What they had not expected was that they would be joined in their fishing activities for the day by two large albatrosses!

These two magnificent birds, with wing spans of around two and a half metres, kept them company for most of the time.

At one stage the boys hooked a small gummy shark, and decided to use it for bait.

But when they opened it up there were three baby sharks inside.

They tossed these into the water, and to their amazement, they started swimming away. The albatrosses were immediately alert and interested, and seized on them with their beaks. But when they realised they were not the delicacy they were used to, they too released the baby sharks to continue their first swim into the unknown!

The two birds differed markedly in their beak colour. John has showed his photos to Margaret, our local bird expert, who is intrigued by the black and yellow beak on this one.

John's pictures will be forwarded to bird authorities on the mainland.

What a thrill and a privilege for the boys to meet these amazing creatures out there in their own emnvironment, and to actually spend time with them. Whether it was curiosity, or the possibility of a free feed that caused the birds to stay with the boat, we do not know, but the experience was a moving and memorable one for the boys.

And yes, they did catch some fish!

QUEEN VICTORIA GARDENS

The name of Queen Victoria is commemorated all over the world, but there would not be a single place where her memory is honoured with the same respect and affection that Norfolk Islanders feel towards this grand monarch.

Back in the 1850's, when Pitcairn Island was becoming overcrowded, Victoria offered Norfolk Island to the descendants of the Bounty Mutineers and their Tahitian wives as their new home. Although moving was difficult for the Pitcairn Islanders, they made the best of it, and were forever more grateful for the gift of the Norfolk Island for their home.

For the Queen's Golden Jubilee, the elders of the island established a Queen Victoria Scholarship to mark the occasion, and it continues to this day.

When the Queen died, the Norfolk Islanders wrote to England, seeking assistance with the provision of a bronze statue to be placed on the island in the Queen's memory. This never came to pass.

But Victoria has not been forgotten. Last Sunday, on May 24th - Queen Victoria's birthday-Marie Bailey (who is Bernie's cousin) invited the community to the opening of "Queen Victoria Gardens, which she has established so that this community can finally honour the Queen who made such a generous gesture to the Pitcairners over 150 years ago.

First we gathered under Marie's magnificent Poinciana tree for drinks and some very British cucumber sandwiches!

Then we made our way to the new gazebo, admiring the beautiful plantings on the way. Marie has obtained a number of exotic species representing different areas of the Empire, as well as old English plants and native Norfolk species.

The official opening was carried out with a speech by Penelope, who remembered the important celebrations of Empire Day in her childhood.

William spent the rest of the afternoon re-cutting the ribbon!

After the cutting of the ribbon and a speech by Marie, we all admired the new gazebo. The central table carries a number of items, such as photos, letters and newspaper articles, which relate to Norfolk Island's relationship with the Queen.

Around the upper part of the Gazebo, the names of the main Pitcairn families are listed, one on each of the eight sides. Around the base of the central rable, Kentia palm fronds have been stencilled. Although this palm is native to Lord Howe Island, it grows prolifically on Norfolk Island, and its seeds and seedlings are our main export! What is not generally known, however, is that this palm was Victoria's favourite plant. She had fronds close to her at her deathbed, and asked that they be placed at the four corners of her coffin when she lay in state.

It was a great photo opportunity

For older Norfolkers like Marie, Bernie and Greg, the occasion was memorable and historic

What Marie has given to this island is an extremely generous gesture, and there are many older Norfolkers who are delighted that we now have a very prominent reminder of our gratitude to Victoria. Moreover, the Gardens and the Gazebo have greatly enhanced and beautified this part of the island, and our street, which is, fittingly, called Queen Elizabeth Avenue. It was so named for Elizabeth II's Coronation.

You see, the new gardens are right opposite our driveway, and we have this beautiful outlook whenever we drive out of our driveway.

We ourselves have our own reminder of Queen Victoria's affection in our house. In the early 1850's, George Hunn Nobbs, who was the leader and pastor of the Pitcairn people, went to England to be ordained. He had an audience with the Queen, and she gave him this picture of her young family. It has come down through the family to us. I will have to tell you more about it in another posting.

GLOVES

This morning I bumped into Bernie's cousin Elaine, who, like me,was doing the rounds of the Garage Sales. Elaine's Mum Penelope had asked her to look out for some wool for her knitting. I should add that Penelope, in spite of passing her four score years, likes to keep her legs active and her hands busy. She mainly knits beanies and gloves, like the ones that Noelene received for her birthday recently.

In my younger days, when gloves were more of a fashion item, I liked to have a pair to match every outfit!
I have a fairly early memory of farewelling a relative who was leaving on her overseas trip by ship. Part of her travelling wardrobe was a very special pair of pigskin gloves - how I envied her! Pigskin gloves sounded so glamorous and classy!

Many of us recall wearing these lacy crocheted gloves to special occasions like weddings, parties and Sunday School anniversaries. I purchased this pair from someone about five years ago - I was in the right place at the right time, and they made me feel very nostalgic.

Gloves are associated with a somewhat embarrassing memory of a time when I was in my teens. I was attending a Baptist Youth Evening in a theatre/auditorium in the city. I went alone - but was probably hoping to catch the eye of some nice Christian young man!

For some reason, I decided that my outfit needed a pair of green gloves. Buying a pair was out of the question, so I got some white ones and dyed them green - with food colouring!!!

During the evening, I got chatting to the people beside me, but I cannot recall if they were male! It got warm in the auditorium, and my hands were sweating, so I took my gloves off. My hands were bright green!

When my sister got married, the bridesmaids wore elbow length gloves. The dress at weddings was so modest in those days.

Now I am not a great wearer of gloves nowadays. My sense of touch has become very important to me, and things like gardening gloves and washing up gloves would never stay on my hands for very long. Even thimbles I find restrictive.

But I was delighted to find a plastic bag hanging on my door yesterday. In it was a parcel from Holly, who lives in Western Australia. She had sent it to me via her son Steve, who lives here on Norfolk Island.

Now I should tell you that I have admired Holly long before I ever met her. Edie, who is Steve's mother-in-law, used to tell me about this wonderful person who did all these amazing things with her arts and crafts, including dyeing fabric in the microwave. I longed to meet this lady, who obviously regarded her Craft as a bit of an adventure, rather than something to be measured exactly and followed to the last detail of the pattern!

Here is a picture of Holly teaching us to have fun on one of her visits to Norfolk. Holly is quite "over the top" - and this extends to her generosity in sharing her time and skills

By the time I did meet Holly in person, I had discovered for myself how to use the microwave for dyeing, but I knew for sure that you cannot dye successfully with food colouring! However, I have had wonderful results with Kool Aid, an American concentrated drink powder.

But there are so many other things Holly has taught me and inspired me with! And there are hundreds, probably thousands of people in West Australia who will thank Holly for bringing the joy of creating to them, particularly people in more remote areas. Most of all, Holly has taught us to be creative with what we have to hand, to forget "rules", and above all to have fun!

Anyway, this is one of the things in Holly's parcel - a magnificent pair of gloves "just for fun". Holly obviously had fun making them, and I am going to hang them somewhere where lots of people will enjoy them.

A card attached to the gloves reads:

Oh what can I do, what can I do?

I want something exciting, something new-

Something really quite over the top-

Something no one else has got!

So here's your special gardening gloves-

Made for you with lots of love!

I am glad she doesn't expect me to wear them! Or does she?

A postscript to this posting - I saw Elaine today and asked if she had been to the other garage sale (the one I had just come from). She said she had, and had found a box of lovely old gloves. She had bought them because "you never know when someone may find them useful". Elaine is a person after my own heart - she recognises treasures that we will soon have been tossed and lost, and has appointed herself as an archivist/conservator/librarian of all sorts of lovely old things, particularly clothing and textiles. A person after my own heart!

BUSY STITCHING

I do not seem to have written about my creative activities just lately. It is true that life gets pretty busy and committed here sometimes, and it seems that "the faster I go the behinder I get."

However, a couple of weeks ago, my inner woman said that I just had to get to my machine and just churn some stuff out. It is true, I felt better after a few sessions at my faithful old Pfaff.

I had managed to use a percentage of my stash (only a very small percentage, I must confess), I had produced plenty of items for fetes and stalls and gifts, and best of all, I had a renewed sense of achievement.

These bags were mostly inspired by some remnant pices I found at the Op Shop. There were several unusual-shaped pieces in black and white spots. I thought they would team really well with some bright prints, and that is how these cheerful bags came into being. I also made some Christmas stockings in these fabrics, but they still need a bit of hand stitching and embellishment before I display them here!

Little bags

More little bags

And some bigger bags

While I was on the bag theme, a good size piece of upholstery fabric I found in the attic was utilised for some more utilitarian bags.

While the mood was "bright", I mass-produced some big and useful potholders. The wonderful red wool was part of one of a pair of lovely red blankets I scavenged from the Waste Management Centre!

A couple of cheerful fruit prints asked me to use them in some wine bottle carrier bags.

Kitchen handtowels with tops that loop over a rail, are quick to produce and cheerful, too.

Now I have given myself permisson to tackle some of the more fiddly embellished stuff which has become my trademark!

FAMILY ARCHIVES - My Parent's Wedding

When my mother died just on 13 years ago, I brought a few family photos back home with me, while my sister kept others. At Christmas time, my sister brought a CD of old family photos, kindly copied by her granddaughter Alyssa. Now Christmas was a busy time, and the CD became buried beneath one of my many piles of "things to be sorted and put away". The other day, I finally unearthed it, and loaded it onto my computer.

How thrilled I was to see once againall these photos of family who had gone before me!!!

There were a couple of photos of my parents' wedding in 1937. I love the Arum lilies my mother carried - she refused to be put off by people who said they were for funerals. She loved them and so do I! And my father's double breasted suit is most definitely designed to keep the chest warm!

My parents both lived on the Isle of Sheppey, which is in the Thames and Medway Estuaries in Kent. It is a marshy island, and large enough for about half a dozen towns and villages. They started "courting" when my mother was almost 21, and my father had just turned 16! Long before then, I am told, my father had a crush on this slim brunette beauty, and had to be content to admire her from afar. I can just imagine how he must have been looking on with longing the year my mother was crowned "Queen of the May."They were finally able to marry soon after my father turned 21.

Two of my mother's sisters were her attendants - Rose and Nell (Ellen). The other two are her niece Eileen and a cousin. My father's best man was his brother Ron.

Behind my mother is her father James Castle. I am not sure where her mother is, probably helping to get the food ready!

My father's parents (shown below)were not at the wedding. At the time they were living in Hong Kong, where my grandfather worked for the Hong Kong Dockyard.

Nana and Grandad Winch

I still have two newspaper accounts of the wedding.

I will quote from them:

"In the presence of a large congregation at the Bethel Church, Queenborough on Saturday, the marriage took place between Mr David Winch...and Miss Doris Castle.

The bride was becomingly attired in a white satin dress with train; headdress of pleated tulle, and lilies of the valley; and white satin shoes, her bouquet consisting of lilies.

(Two of the bridesmaids) wore pretty dresses of mauve silk;headdresses of gold entwined with violets, and silver shoes. (The other two) were attired in lemon-coloured silk dresses; gold headdresses with primroses intermingled, and gold shoes. They all carried bouquets of irises...they made a very pretty sight.

The mother of the bride was dressed in navy blue silk, with hat to tone.

The reception was held in the Bethel schoolroom, about 80 guests being present.

Over 100 gifts were received by the Bride and Groom, who were given an enthusiastic send-off. They left for their future home in Welling, in which town the bridegroom has been employed since leaving Sheppey. The bride travelled in an oatmeal coloured coat and hat to match."

Oh how I would love just the tiniest snippet of those violet and lemon silks!

Meanwhile, here is a picture of my parents dancing together at my sister's wedding, about 21 years later - still very much in love!

And Dad does not looked quite so "trussed up" in this suit, does he?

THE FERAL PUMPKIN VINE It started in the pig run - or perhaps from a seed left behind by a former vine. And because the pigrun now has a "VACANCY' sign on it, the vine has become a squatter, and has used the run as a base to spread out - all over the garden.

It has climbed through the Bush Lemon tree, the Macadamia, and from there to the shadehouse, where little pumpkins are now forming.

That is Basil the cat in his "hammock" - his favourite daytime place!

It has taken great delight in the support of the Passionfruit trellis, and has borne fruit there. I wonder how long the wire will hold its weight...it is now the size of a football.

The same pumpkin as above taken a few days later. It has since doubled its size again.It can no longer point into the air - will it hang on till it is mature?

It has twisted itself through the grapevine and the roses, and has ventured up the Mandarin and the Yellow Guava.

Now it is on its way through the peach trees and was last seen heading towards John's Joinery.

The pumpkins are delicious.

We have given several away. Mother Nature is a wonderful provider if we create the right conditions for her to do her own thing!

PERFECT DAY

When Sarah and Wayne began planning their beach wedding some months ago, they knew it was at a time of year when the weather was likely to be still pleasant and warm, and at a time of day when the tide was low.
But I am sure that the beautiful day that presented itself on Sunday afternoon was beyond their wildest hopes and dreams. The air was still and warm, there was not a cloud in the sky, the humidity of recent weeks had disappeared, and the sun sparkled on the calm and crystal waters of Emily and Slaughter Bays. The day and the backdrop were 10 out of 10, and the informality, the friendliness and the happiness of the occasion scored highly with everyone too.

The Fijiians provided the wonderful music that added to the atmosphere of the occasion.

A delicious cocktail type punch was served to all the guests as we awated the bride and her party.

The invitation had said "No shoes" and this included the wedding party, which was, by the way, a "Brady Bunch" affair, with Sarah's three children and Wayne's three all standing proudly alongside as the couple made their vows.

Later we all gathered at Dino's. It was "fingerfood", but we could not have eaten better if we had sat down to an enormous regal banquet. The platters of delicious and very substantial treats just kept coming continuously. The evening was as beautiful as the day. You could see every star in the sky. Although the fire burned in the fireplace inside, it was still and warm out on the patios, and even the mosquitoes stayed away!

Now Sarah and our Miriam have grown up together on Norfolk Island. I can clearly remember when I gave birth to Miriam in Sydney, Connie sent me a card, and in it she broke the news that they had a baby on the way!Every happines to you Sarah and Wayne!

This is the card I made for the happy couple.

I took a piece of cotton organdie (from some curtains I had purchased at the Op Shop) and fused two squares together with Mistyfuse. In between I sandwiched some glitter and some pressed flowers - Hydrangea and May. This was then placed between two cut layers of a "window" card. The flowers that I placed up on the right hand corner on the outside were actually designed to cover a small mistake - but I was really pleased with how it turned out.

ANOTHER LOOK

I went back to the Community Arts Exhibition on Monday afternoon to have a better look at the entries. At the opening, it had been difficult to have a good look at the catalogue with a glass of punch in one hand and a toddler in the other!!

I also wanted to photograph the little table with my entries without other people milling around. Funnily enough, my visit coincided with that of Klassina, who had gone back specifically to look more closely at my exhibits!
I have actually had a great deal of positive and encouraging feedback on my funny little pieces. They are certainly different from the general run of Art Show entries.

These are the pages I received in our 2008 Round Robin, inspired by the "Old Boat" photo on the journal that accompanied, shown behind. The pages were two-sided, so people were invited to turn them over.

The competition conditions said that identification tags had to be affixed to the back or the base of entries. Well, for the most part, mine do not have a back or a bottom. And that is why I placed a sign inviting people to pick them up and examine them from all angles.

This concertina book was fashioned from the pages I received on the "Tea Party " theme in our 2007 Round Robin. The crazypatch cover is my own work.

The Community Arts Society is happy to sell any items on display for a commission. But I am afraid my pieces always have "N.F.S." in the catalogue....for one thing they are often too personal. The other reason is that I am not sure what sort of appeal they will have. They do not usually lend themselves to hanging on a wall or standing on a mantlepiece. People may regard them as "too precious"...but they cry out to be picked up and fondled.

This picture shows two of my own books. On the left is the meandering book "Leaves" I put together after a worshop with Mixed Media Artist Carolyn Stephens from Wanganui. On the right is my little "Devon" book, which I think I have posted in this blog before.

I like to think, too, that my work does not involve standing back and saying "Hmmm- yes, I like that." It calls for close examination, so you can see the detail and the variety of techniques that have been used, and the different media that have been combined, including old and treasured items like laces, beads and buttons. I like people to think about the stories they tell, and above all, I hope they will engage people's emotions and memories and senses. And they most definitely need to be experienced through the fingers as well as the eyes!

I should mention that my entries were not just my work. I included a basket of ATC's, both my own work and that of others. I also submitted the Round Robin projects from our Stitching Together online group from 2007 and 2008. wanted to show how the Internet has been an incredibly wonderful tool in bringing artists and craftspeople together from all over the world.

Meanwhile, I also love our little local Craft and Friendship group that has been meeting each Tuesday afternoon for many years. Yesterday, our industrious Annette brought along yet another two woollen rugs she has completed.

Meanwhile the equally productive May P. continues to work on the baby cuddle rugs and the small quilts she has been making for all the babies born at the hospital and the children she comes in contact with, including her Sabbath school and Scripture class . May also makes loads of skirts and tops and dresses to send to Swaziland. She must have used enough machine thread to go to London and back, and I know every one of her creations will be cherished by the recipient. This is Christian love at its best.

COMMUNITY ARTS EXHIBITION

Our community Arts Society would undoubtedly be one of the hardest working groups on this island, and several times a year they manage to stage an event that showcases the talents of people on the island and encourages everyone to have a go.

The Annual Art Exhibition is no exception, and I am constantly amazed at the diverse creativity that can be found on this island.

Gone are the days when an Art/Craft Exhibition features walls of just paintings, with the occasional tapestry or cross stitch. At last night's opening, we saw paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, mixed media, porcelain, fabric printing, weaving and plaiting, jewellery and much more.

There was also a section for "Wearable Arts Revisited", with a few of the entries from that show in January put on display for a "closer look."

I had a small table of my work there, but can you believe it, I forgot to photograph it! Whenever I thought about it, someone was there, and I was to embarrassed to be seen doing it! I will have to sneak back with my camera over the weekend.

As Kim and Charles were attending a wedding, we had William with us. He was very good, in spite of having a view mainly of people's legs. But like the rest of us, he enjoyed the lovely nibbles and punch.

For William, the entertainment really started once Tina and Sienna turned up.

CHRIST IS RISEN

This morning about 50 people gathered out at Simon's Water to celebrate the dawning of Easter Day as the sun rose over the sea.As we listened to the Bible account of the women going to the grave while it was still dark, we felt as if we were there.The sky was rather cloudy, but the glow was spread across the horizon, and we were able to witness the brief burst of bright light as the sun finally rose above the line of the sea. Unfortunately I could not see the dials to disable my flash on my camera, and I missed capturing the first bright red glow appearing in the darkness. Then the "Scene" setting lost its colour - hope that can be fixed!

After many of us went around the corner to Arthur's "Onion Patch", where we enjoyed Hot Cross buns, muffins, toast and fruit, as well as a warm cuppa and good fellowship.

HE IS RISEN INDEED

WILLIAM IS TWO

It is hard to believe that two years have passed since that night that Bernie and I sat in the nurses' lounge at our local hospital awaiting news of our grandson's arrival!

It was with much joy that we greeted him then, and he still gives us great joy.

As his language develops, he finds it easier to call both of us "Granny". He often spends days with us when Kim is working, and he is a delight to have around. And those hugs and kisses and cuddles are better than winning the lottery!

When he turned two recently, he actually had three celebrations.

The first was at his Daycare, on the actual day of his birthday. A litle party was organised and all the children sat (using their very best manners) at the outdoor table and joined in. Kim had made a Pirate cake. Charles helped William to blow out the candles and to cut it.

Yummy, that 's good! Well, the icing is anyway!


They set the Jumping Castle up, and everyone had great fun!

That evening we had a small family gathering to see William open his presents. I bet they won't be able to make him wait until the evening next year!

He had great fun, and Sienna and Teddy joined in the spirit of the occasion too, and added to his enjoyment!

The following Sunday, there was the big party at the Parish Centre, with lots of his friends, and a few parents and grandparents too.

It was Pirate party and Kim had supplied pirate outfits for everyone. Evdn some of the grown ups donned headscarves and eye patches!

There was another wonderful Pirate Cake, and our talented Tina had painted a special Pirate picture!

The present opening was so overwhelming that William enlisted a bit of help from James.It was a big day for our "big" boy, and it is obvious that he is just like his Mum when it comes to making the most of enjoying an "occasion!"

WASHDAY

Nowadays things seem to move so fast that even our teenagers can recognise major changes in their lifetime.

One thing that people of my generation have seen major changes with in our lifetimes is with the way we do our laundry.

One of my earliest memories is of the 'copper' in our kitchen in England, and that very important accessory that we called a 'mangle' (generally known as a wringer.)

When we moved to Australia, and were living in a flat in Kensington, we knew the luxury of a separate laundry, albeit an outside one that we shared with the flat upstairs. Once again it was a tub, a copper and a mangle, but in a few years was replaced by our first electrically operated washing machine, with a wringer attached!

My mother worked full time at this stage, and her allocated time for washing was on Friday evening.

I have one very strong memory of this Friday night wash routine, which was generally a time when I sat beside the radio and listened to the Jack Davey Show. When we had moved into this flat, there had been a phone connected, but regarding it as a luxury they could not afford, my parents had it disconnected. However, no one came to remove the phone itself. One day, while playing round with the set, I discovered it had been reconnected and told my parents.

That night, while Mum did the Friday night laundry, Dad and my sister went to the Speedway, which was only a short drive from our place. I was there in the lounge, Mum was out the back - and the phone rang! I had never answered a phone in my life, but I picked it up and a man's voice asked if he could speak to my mother.

Now the outside laundry was about three room's distance from that phone, and when my mother did not respond to my calling, I tried to stretch the phone cord to take it to her. I struggled and struggled in vain, until the man's voice called through the phone "For goodness' sake, put the phone on the table and go and fetch her!" Of course it was my father, having a bit of fun calling from a public phone. And when ever I think of laundry, I think of that incident.

The arrival of twin tubs was a real revolution, with their spin drying compartment. The wringers and mangles ended up in back sheds and dumps, soon to be forgotten forever. However, these machines still needed to be filled by hand from a hose or bucket, and woe betide if your attention was distraced - they overflowed!!! Ask me how I know!

How well I remember the day we bought our very first automatic machine. A friend and I stood with our eyes glued as it went through its whole cycle. Now we have computerised machines with press buttons and buzzers and lights. But it is amazing how many people I speak to who agree they preferred the old dials you actually had to turn physically. I feel that if a human being can physically set it in motion, then when something goes wrong, a human being can fix it.

Now while the smell of clothes that have been flapping in the breeze on the line is one of life's little pleasures, I will own up to loving my dryer. Especially for the small stuff that takes ages to hang out, and for those times when the fog and drizzle hang around for days. But I am amazed to learn that in some areas in the United States, outside clothes lines are actually banned because they are unsightly!

Changes in the way we do laundry have definitely contributed to the passing of the era where you kept fit just carrying out your daily routines, and had no need for gyms and organised sport. Our mothers' arm, shoulder and back muscles must have had magnificent tone and strength from lifting all those wet clothes, feeding them through the wringer, carrying heavy clothes baskets, and pegging them on and off the line.

The passing of the regular washday also represents the loss of some of the essential rhythms in our lives. Everything had its special day - washing, ironing, baking, shopping, visiting, going to church - they all had their appointed times. Nowadays, with flexitimes at work and 24/7 shopping and all sorts of labour saving devices that mean you can put your washing on at midnight and have it dried ready to wear the next day - well, the new freedom and extra leisure is wonderful, but some of the certainties and anchors of our lives have gone.

So what set me off on this little recollection? Well it was a page I did for our Round Robin for Annette, on the theme of "Fresh". I had a few ideas for interpreting this adjective when someone suggested clothes, freshly washed, drying on the line.

It also summoned up feelings and images of a new day, a fresh start, of things being clean and new, and I could not resist including some freshly mown hay!

For this page I used some little pieces of my own hand-dyed fabrics. I will never use them all up. although I now have this strong urge to make some more!

And talking of hand-dyes, I had the most delightful parcel arrive from Karen in Canada the other day. Among the goodies was a wonderful piece of SNOW-DYED fabric, in a delectable shade of mint/apple green. I wonder if I could achieve a similar effect using the frost from my freezer??

Karen also sent me a lovely hand towel with a crocheted top, and a crocheted cloth/washer. Now can you believe it - I have sort of fetish for handknitted or crocheted washers, and will rarely use anything else. I think it stems back to my early days, when my maternal grandmother kept us supplied with them, and we had no use for the towelling facecloths or commercial dishcloths. Accompanying these gifts was a delightful tube of mixed beads, including my favourite sort of leaf beads. Karen chose all these because the colours remind her of Devon, as she has come to know it through my blog. She got it so right!! Not shown in the picture was a little pack of Mistyfuse for me to experiment with.

Look at what buzzed into Norfolk!

There was the usual line up around the airport perimeter on Monday, as word had got round that two RAAF Hornets would be dropping in for refuelling en route from New Zealand back to Australia.

The excitement began when they first buzzed overhead, with one of the planes diverting to fly over the school, where three hundred children were waiting to see the spectacle.

At last they touched down on the airstrip. Bernie compared it to his memories of the very first aircraft to touch down on this island back on Christmas Day 1942. I must admit it was somewhat spinechilling.

The aircraft are well-named - one almost expects them to have beady little eyes to match the pointy probiscus!. But no doubt they are equipped with sophisticated radar, and everything else they need to perform their appointed task!

After an hour or so, the two manmade insects were on their way again, and we all returned to our daily routine!

99 - AND STILL BATTING STRONGLY!

On Wednesday afternoon, we went out to a part of the island that very few visitors - and few locals for that matter - get to see.

The road to God's Own Country

Those who were born and bred in Rocky Point call it "God's country", but they really have to compete for that title with several other areas of Norfolk Island, whose own residents hold enormous affection for the friends and families and the landscapes of the areas where they grew up. It all goes to show - there are paradises within Paradise!!

The occasion was the 99th birthday of a much loved lady - Girlie (Sylvia) Nobbs.

Girlie and son Steve

Plans had been made for a somewhat more formal celebration, but at Girlie's request, it was decided that an afternoon tea and Fish Gry on Girlie's own front lawn would be best, and the timing would enable all the children to join in the fun. Girlie had a daughter and six sons, and now has numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even great-great! And she prays for every one of them every day!

These pictures will best tell the story of this lovely afternoon.

.In good Norfolk Islamd fashion, everyone had brought along a plate of food.

Was there ever a more beautiful setting for a band? Grandson Wayne (Pendo), together with Lee and Trent began the entertainment.Later, four of the Nobbs sons , together with Trent, Archie and granddaughter Gaelene took over. We had guitars, keyboard, piano, squeeze box, mouth organ - and Trent's easy-listening voice.

We all sang Happy Birthday - three times!

Outdoor kitchens don't come more picturesque than this - and the fish, chips and green plun fritters were so delicious!

Grandson Andre, who is Norfolk Island's Chief Minister, recalled a few funny stories about Grandma, who retained her sense of fun and playfulness right into old age!

That was a yummy Pavlova birthday cake!

It was a typical good Norfolk party, with great camaraderie and good feeling, a real celebration of family and belonging, wonderful food in great quantity, and best of it all, it was one of those occasions when you are so glad you live on Norfolk Island, and feel really sorry for the rest of the world.

STILL PARTYING

Bernie and cousin Marie in the new Gazebo

It really has been a month of celebrations. As well as Bernie's 8oth, we have had May's 9oth. Last night it was Noelene's 50th, this week there will be Auntie Girlie's 99th, next week is William's 2nd and Joanne's 40th, and the following week we have been invited to Maureen's 70th!!! Bernie's cousins Mildred and Brenda have also celebrated significant birthdays in the last week. Mildred is just one day older than Bern.

Kim and Charles on their first anniversary

In the late afternoon yesterday, we joined Kim and Charles and Marie in the new (still uncompleted) gazebo over the road from Devon. It was Kim and Charles 1st wedding anniversary.
The Gazebo is set in the midst of the wonderful park area that cousin Marie is developing, to be called Queen Victoria Gardens. Some wonderful plantings have been undertaken, including many plants with a "British" flavour and others that are truly Polynesian, like Breadfruit.

William tests out the joinery

The Gazebo is eight sided, and each side will represent one of the families that came to Norfolk Island from Pitcairn Island in 1856.



There will be a bust of the 'Grand Old Lady' placed centrally in the Gazebo, acknowledging what the Pitcairn descendants have always believed - that this island was given to them by Queen Victoria. The bust was imported from England - here is a picture of it in Marie's kitchen.





I will look forward to telling you more about Marie's project later as she plans to have the official opening on May 24th, which was Queen Victoris's birthday!


After the Anniversary drinks, we went on to Bounty Lodge, where Noelene's surprise 50th was to take place. As is usual on Norfolk, it was a wonderful friendly family occasion, with great food and company, and all ages enjoying themselves immensely.

William and Ben have a "ball" on the lawn

Noelene, who thought she was off to join her parents at Seaworld for tea, was very surprised to see all those friends and rellies when they called in to Bounty 'so Peter could attend to an electrical problem for Joanne.'

As usual, more than enough to feed an army, thanks to Joanne and Masalita

Balloons are always a party pleaser

Noelene enjoys a joke with friends

William has a cuddle with Auntie Norma

More fun and laughter in the kitchen

Cutting the cake. I think Peter is rightly feeling pleased with himself over the success of the Surprise party!

SPECIAL CELEBRATION

There had been some weeks of planning for our very special celebration for Bernie's 80th birthday. Invitations had gone out, and many offers of help had been accepted. A couple of days before the day, the big marquee went up on the front lawn - with quite a bit of help from William and the animals.

Finally the big day arrived. The congratulatory phone calls started early in the morning. Edie arrived on the doorstep with a beautiful arrangement of roses.

The cards had been arriving in the post, and there were emails from near and far. During the day there was quite a bit of to-ing and fro-ing getting things all shipshape and ready.

At 5 pm, with the weather still gloriously calm and warm, the first guests started to arrive.

It was a magic evening. Everyone was really enjoying themselves - everyone literally from 1 to 90 years old. That is the sort of party I love.



The older folk sat and chatted and reminisced, and there were great hoots of laughter coming from the tables. The Mums and Dads stood around enjoying the great atmosphere and company - not to mention the food.

There were plenty of people nearby to lend a hand to John at the fryers, cooking the fish and the green banana fritters, which were served with a caramel sauce. We had prepared lots of food, but much of it did not even leave the kitchen, because so ,any people turned up with platters of tasty treats.

The kids - of all ages - ran around both outside and in, and after dark took great delight in playing chasings while wearing the luminous head and wrist bands so thoughtfully provided by Tina. The little ones had great fun on the Jumping Castle, which was left up all night. By the end of the evening, the older kids were sitting in a circle playing "Truth, Dare or Double Dare." Who said that today's kids cannot entertain themselves?

Mavis brought along a special fern headpiece for Bernie to wear. After all, he was the V.I.P. for the night.

Kim had made a lovely banana cake in the shape of an 80. Before cutting it, There were a few speeches, with Charles taking on the role of M.C. It seems many people had special memories and tributes.


When it came time to sing Happy Birthday and cut the cake, all the small children suddenly appeared for front row positions. Here was their opportunity to run their fingers around the edge of the cake for the first sampling of the yummy chocolate icing!!


Charles and Kim had produced a lovely album with a collection of stories and old photos contrinuted by friends and family for the occasion. It was so beautifully put together, and full of special memories, both amusing and nostalgic.There were over 100 people there to share in the special occasion. I am sure Bernie was quite delighted to be able to share this milestone with so many friends and family.We had said "No presents" - but many were brought any way, including a wonderful selection of red wines! People know Bernie's taste! I don't think anyone wanted the evening to end, but it had been a long day for some!

When everyone had gone, Bernie and I sat in the dining room and read all the cards, savouring the wonderful expressions of love and friendship. It had been a very special day.

THE MAYOR OF ANSON BAY

It was the last day of summer, and you could not have picked a more beautiful day. Lots of phone calls and word of mouth resulted in about 100 of us gathering out at Puppy's Point yesterday afternoon for an unusual and spontaneous occasion....the investiture of Greg Quintal Snr. as the Mayor of Anson Bay. Well, not altogether spontaneous, because Ngaire had been hard at work planning the event, but it was brought forward so we could hold it before Greg's son Les returned to Sydney.

Now Ngaire was responsible for giving her neighbour Kik Quintal the title of Mayor of Cutters Corn a while back, and ever since Greg has been dropping broad hints that he ought to be Mayor of Anson Bay. He has certainly earned it, having lived there for well over 70 of his 90+ years. I should add that although he now sleeps at his daughter Gracie's home. He sets off for his Anson Bay property by 7 a.m. each morning, and works hard in his huge vegetable garden (over 1/4 acre). and does not usually return till sundown.

It was all a big secret - all Greg knew was that Ngaire was taking him to a "Fancy Dress" occasion, and he had to wear this ridiculous outfit. At the appointed time, Archie picked him up in his vintage vehicle, and transported him across the road to the beautiful picnic and barbecue area at Puppy's Point, where he was greeted by everyone with great enthusiasm.

Greg arrives in the Lord Mayoral vehicle, chauffeured by Archie.

Ngaire led him to his throne with its picturesque ocean backdrop, and when told he was now to be made Mayor of Anson Bay, he firmly declared "But I am not a mayor (mare) - I am a stallion!"

Uncle Tom was ready dressed as the Town Crier, and proceeded to read out the proclamation, after which Greg received his Chain of Office.

There followed an extremely funny session where folk told amazing and hilarious stories about Greg, most of which would lose much in the translation to written English here! But I cannot resist passing on the one about the time that Greg was digging a well for a local man. The digging had gone on for some time, with no water being found, and the landowner decided he could only afford to pay for one more day of digging. The next time a stone was lowered on a rope to see if there was any water right at the bottom, Greg, who was way down the well himself, decided to pee on it for a joke! When it was raised to the surface, the owner squealed with delight at the wet stone, held it to his lips and sucked on it, excaiming:"Beautiful, clean, fresh water!!"

Fortunately, real water was discovered just the next day.

Funnily enough, in his inimitable way, Greg had decided to have a ring ready for the occasion - although he was not sure what it was to take place - and he now placed this on Ngaire's finger (after much rummaging beneath his robes to find it in his pocket!

There followed the most wonderful time of enjoying the 'wettles' (food) brought along by everyone. The tables were absolutely groaning with beautiful home cooking, and a very refreshing punch that turned out to be deceptively potent!

The new Mayor of Anson Bay and the Mayor of Cutters Corn have a chat.

These signs will grace Greg's fence at his home across the road.

What made the afternoon so special? No doubt the clear blue skies, the wonderful scenery and scrumtious food helped. And there is always so much humour and laughter when a group of Norfolkers gather together in this way. There is a spirit of family and community and shared values that defies neat and tidy descriptions and explanations. Young and old seem to gain equal pleasure in sharing in the occasion.

And it was all homegrown and grass roots stuff, with not a single real official dignitary in sight!

Best of all, it was an opportunity to honour Norfolk Island's wonderful senior elders in general, and one very special person, Old Man Greg, in particular.