CELEBRATING NORFOLK ISLAND

One of the reasons that I keep this blog is to tell you all what a wonderful, unique place Norfolk Island is!

And since I have started recording our lives here, I have discovered that this island has thousands of stories to tell.

It gave me enormous pleasure, therefore, when I learned that someone was going to produce a lifestyle magazine that would capture and tell the story of some of the many things that make Norfolk Island special.

Rob Nisbet hails from Scotland, but he and wife Tina, a local Norfolk girl, and their two littlies Zander and Ceilidh, have made their home here on the island. Rob is highly qualified and skilled in photography and graphic design, and has invested his talents and resources in this new groundbreaking venture.

The magazine is to be known as 2899, which is the island's postcode, and also Rob's business name.

Rob's assistant Bruce distributes some complementary copies to writers and advertisers

Last night, the first issue was launched at a gathering of enthusiastic locals, who were openly delighted to see the spirit and essence of Norfolk captured so beautifully in print and picture.

All the writing was done locally, and superbly complemented by Rob's stunning photography.

Yours truly had an opportunity to write one of the articles, featuring our home "Devon House." I was itching to see what Rob had done with it, and I was not disappointed. In fact I was delighted, and would love to be able to send a copy to lots of people to "show it off."!

There was a lovely 2 page spread on our home, with some unusual shots, including an amazing ground-level one of the three-legged race on Thanksgiving Day!!

Other articles include features on island events, the Norfolk Pine, Whalebirds, Island "plun" (bananas), the Tahiti connection, local art inspired by sea themes, and many more. Even the advertisements have a timeless quality!

Everyone was very eager to sit down and peruse the new publication

"2899" will not only give enormous pleasure to locals and visitors, but will be a superb tool in promoting Norfolk Island. It will retail for just under $10, but will not be discarded like other magazines, but will claim a special permanent place on your bookshelves. I will be delighted to post a copy to anyone who asks!

MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF CHRISTMAS

We had an early Christmas with Kim and Charles and William, who were off to Wellington to spend the Festive season with Karen and John.

William had made up his mind that Christmas was "ACE!!"

This Norfolk pine tree is conveniently growing (self-sown) in a bed right next to the patio - we could not resist decorating it for the festive season!

On Christmas Eve, in the evening, we went to the airport to welcome the first of our visitors, Mary'sister Sally and her husband Roy.

The next morning, Miriam, Rob, Sarah and Emily arrived from New Zealand.

We had awaited their arrival to start the gift opening.

There are always a few laughs during the present opening. This time Peter was the practical joker, and Sarah and Emily were his victims!
Later Tom called in to share a Christmas drink with us.
The table was set on the patio for 15 people!

And the food was beautiful - all the traditional menu, plus lots of extras, including John's Tahitian Fish, and fresh corn from Dean Fitzy!!

There was an ice cream Christmas pudding, as well as a yummy traditional one made by Sally using our Mum's traditional recipe! The day was an absolutely glorious one, and it was lovely to relax under the Poinciana tree.

There some games on the lawn. Brandt had brought his beer fridge on the back of the truck, and to my delight, his "piped" home brew included some apple cider!


The little ones cooled off in the Paddle Pool. Later there was a second present-opening session with the Lyles and the McRitchies.


Everyone was delighted with their gifts.

Sienna loved all her new fairy outfits.

And Teddy was quite absorbed in his new books!

Tina loved her new top! And Bernie was pleased with his new tie!!!

What a lovely warm thank you from Teddy!!

Later there was a welcome cuppa with some of my traditional "Yule Log," and some mince pies.

We were all full and content.

It had been a lovely family Christmas.

Don't you wish Christmas could go on forever?

SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS

Whenever I am asked - as I am frequently at this time of year- if I am ready for Christmas yet, I usually reply that the "getting ready" is really the fun part, because once Christmas has come, it has gone!

I make a point of enjoying the whole of the Christmas season, and this year it has been particularly pleasant....with lots of good things to eat, as well as good company!

There has been quite a round of end-of-year Get-togethers and Christmas parties this December.

There was the "Shed Party", where Charles' Building Supplies, John's Joinery, and Fletcher Christian all combined to entertain and say thank you to staff and clients. Kim and Charles had worked hard for this for months. A clever shelter was rigged up with Brandt's help from the timber stacks.

We feasted on the "fatted pig" - alas all four of the pigs we have had as next-door-neighbours have now ended up on the spit or in the freezer!

Charles has been putting customers' names in a "hat" with every purchase, and the lucky winner of $600 worth of tools was Bill. Agnes had to remind him that Kim was not one of the prizes!!

It was a lovely family evening, and the children were kept well entertained on the Jumping Castle!

The day before, Bernie and I had indulged in two Christmas dinners, with all the "works.".

At lunchtime, the White Oaks Club had been royally entertained at "The Colonial". The Fijian staff not only made sure we were all enjoying ourselves, but entertained us afterwards.

That night it was the Rotary Christmas Dinner at Governor's Lodge, and I think we did it justice, even after a big feed earlier!

On this occasion we were entertained by "Pitcairn Trent" whose great voice, easy manner and big smile ensured we all had a wonderful time.

Bill goes home with his "doggy bag" which, he assured us, was definitely for the dog!
Meanwhile, Gary explains for our benefit how he means to buy cheaper oil from the Middle East!
The Tuesday Craft group had lunch at Mariah's followed by an afternoon of stitching!

We celebrated a couple of December birthdays as well.

Gifts were handed out, and I gave each of the girls one of my little felt birds.

But it was all too much for Andrea, who thought she would sleep it off!

On Thursday, the Chamber of Commerce organised a Christmas Pageant, and the main part of the shopping centre was blocked to traffic for 3 hours. There were stalls for food, tables of "specials" at all the shops, lots of entertainment, and Santa and his helpers were everywhere. The new fire engine had an outing too!

There have been lots of other occasions and gatherings for which I have no pictures, all of them most enjoyable. We have reached the age where there is no leasure in eating and drinking to excess. But the opportunities to meet with friends and colleagues, and let them know how much they are loved and appreciated is very special at this time of year!