October 17th to October 25th 2013
Thank you to Cindy Clark for putting the following notes together.
(Scroll down for photos.)
A rather large group of members – 36 of us – set off on our journey to Norfolk Island from the home of Margaret Mace, where many had parked their cars for the duration. 36 turned out to be a good number, as the bus that we used on the Island seated 36 plus the driver.
On arrival at Norfolk Island, before even going to Governor’s Lodge where we were staying, we were first taken into town to pick up our “convict” uniforms. Our accommodation was great – each twin share being a separate little “cottage” surrounded by beautiful gardens and close to the main buildings. After unpacking, we donned our convict uniforms and our first night was spent dining and being entertained by “Captain Bligh”, “Corporal Punishment” and “Private Parts” from “The Bounty”, at La Perouse, just 100 metres away. It was a really fun night, and set the scene for what we were to experience for the rest of the week.
During the week, we were to meet various descendants of several of the families from the “Bounty”, who arrived at Norfolk Island in 1856, such as the Christians, the Adams’, the Youngs and the Quintals. These families make up a third of the population today, retaining the culture that resulted from the mutineers who married Tahitian women. We heard a few islanders still using the Norfolk language, called “Norf’k”, which is a mix of Tahitian and 18th century seafaring English. We were also to hear the history of the Island and its inhabitants, including re-enactments of certain events, eg the mutiny on the “Bounty”, and a sound and light production in Kingston town, where costumed actors took us through the horrifying times of Norfolk Island’s convict era, viewed from a bus driving slowly through town at night.
Tours included driving through Kingston, visiting the old and new cemeteries, the gaol, various houses on Quality Row, the Melanesian Chapel and Cascade, followed by an enjoyable afternoon tea at the Golf Club. We visited three of the island’s most lovely private gardens one morning, and participated in a progressive dinner held at three different family homes in the evening. The bus drove us up to the top of Mt. Pitt for wonderful views another day, and one morning we took a very early morning walk to Mt Bates to view the Captain Cook Monument and Lookout. This was followed by a delicious cliff-top barbecue breakfast overlooking picturesque Anson Bay. We had an Island Culture tour which included a visit to Jane’s Shed at Music Valley, where she demonstrated various old implements from the early days. Ruth cooked “plun” (banana) slice for us, and we watched weaving and wood-turning demonstrations. On the Indulgence Tour, we visited the local lolly and ice cream shop, and then the Liqueur Factory, where we sampled the various products there – just as well we weren’t driving! We missed out on the chocolate-making demonstration as the supply ship had arrived and it was “all hands on deck” to unload.
This was a most fascinating procedure – and a dangerous one – as the supply ship had to anchor well off-shore and all the supplies (sometimes including cars and other large items) had to be transported from ship to shore by launches and “lighters”, which were like large open row-boats. The dangerous part was to manoeuvre the loaded lighters through the surf and between rocks to the pier, where they were unloaded by small cranes. This ship only arrives once every six weeks, and whenever it arrives, all the able-bodied men have to leave work and head down to the pier to help. It was really interesting to watch – very antiquated, but they cannot afford to build a new pier in a more suitable place.
On our last night at Norfolk Island we were picked up from Governor’s Lodge and taken to Puppy’s Point, where we were served a most delicious “Fish Fry” feast in the open air at sunset. It was all organized by Sam (a descendant of the Christian family on his mother’s side), and prepared by many of the other residents who had previously popped up in our lives on our various tours. They are multi-talented people. Trent Christian played his music all evening, and four local girls danced the Tahitian version of the Hawaiian hula dance, which Margaret Mace and Anneke Blair attempted to emulate. Hmmmm!
It was a very full, wonderful week, enjoyed enormously by all.
The Group at the Convict Dinner and Show. Dorothy & Jill getting quite friendly with “Corporal Punishment” and “Private Parts”.
Helene, Roger and Jan enjoying the view over Kingston Town
The Group at Jane’s Place at Music Valley
“Excuse me!” ….. Margaret with her new friend.
Unloading the supply ship by launches and “lighters” – a mammoth task through the surf.
“What are you looking at?” – a reminder that cows wander the Island at their pleasure.
Anson Bay. Audie thinks the view is beautiful, but the barbecue breakfast is looking better.
Anneke and Margaret learning the “hula” from two local girls at the “Fish Fry”. Hmmmm!