Norfolk Island 4

Thursday 11 March 2021

I had a lie in today but Kerrie was off early for a lone game of golf. During my free time I was able to reflect on what I had discovered during my Norfolk Island stay. I'll put that in a separate entry later.

After lunch some of us went to the Pitcairn Village, another activity just next door. We were driven around in an old blue truck. Because it is so expensive to bring vehicles onto the island old ones are kept working.

We were shown the productive garden and old cottage.

We then browsed the "museum" of old stuff accumulated over the years.

Kerrie and I walked back to the resort and did a bit more "justing" until the bus arrived to take us to "The Homestead" for a wonderful dinner.

Friday 12 March 2021

Breakfast then on the 9am bus to town. From there five of us walked up the hill to the Botanic Gardens. On the way we bought a babaco to share as others had not tasted it.

The boardwalks, paths and discovery centre were great with displays of the natural history of the island.

We were quite disappointed we had not seen a Green Parrot when Kerrie spotted one sitting atop a tree as she stepped out of the discovery centre. It was a long way off but we were able to watch it until it flew away into the forest below. The close up is a stuffed specimen in the Discovery Centre.

There were spiders everywhere but an absolutely huge one where we stopped to share our babaco. The web was 3D and about 1m x 2m x 1m. These are apparently Golden Orb Weavers.

Soon we were on our way again walking back to town (maybe 1.5km) but this time it was all down hill. Our bus was loading at the roundabout as we got there so we hopped on and got our lift back to the resort.

A bit of a rest and recoup before getting back on the bus to go north west to Hilly (Lazy) Goat Farm for lunch.

First a chat about the goats (Saanan milking goats) while we fed the eight month old babies.

Then on to call the mummas over before a quick walk past the milking shed, fruit growing are and cheese making where we had a talk.

Then on to the verandah where we were treated to sample platters of in-season produce and homemade goat cheeses (one firm set and one spreadable).

After a short visit to the gallery and pottery we were back on the bus and in town where half of us got on a smaller bus to take us up to the lookout at Mt Pitt. The other half had been there on their 4WD trip the day before. We had an amazing view over much of the island.

Back to the resort to dangle my hot feet in the pool before catching up on diary and joining the others for dinner.

Kerrie and I presented Judy with her gift of the painting and card that showed Ball Bay and the White Terns we'd seen on our walk there. We had written a poem to put in the card...

Judy is a wiz, never in a tizz

Despite the tardiness of some

Who don't know when to go or come

She leads the slow, the fast, the lame

And stays so calm all the same.

We travellers are grateful for adventures far and wide

And even some so close at hand they're almost just outside:

The beach, the hills, the rocky shores

The convicts, settlers, shops and more

The churches old and hymns yet older

All sung slow and even slower.

So Judy please forgive us all

Our foibles and our failures

And when we meet again I hope good memories still linger

And laughs and fun remembered give us gumption, grit and grace

To seek wisdom, make a difference

Take God's message from this place.

As this was our last dinner we had lots of farewells to say before retiring to bed for our last night on the island.