THE WEDDING!!! PICTURES FOUND!!

I am glad to say that I found the lost wedding pictures. Tina suggested that I searched under the date they were taken, and they turned up quickly in some obscure folder!     

 On Saturday 29th September, we all headed down to Moochie's house overlooking Cascade, at a place traditionally known on Norfolk as "Fred'ks Edge." It has the most magnificent outlook.

And on this particularly beautiful spring afternoon, it was a perfect spot for a wedding! 

On the verandah of the house, the Kelly family "String Quartet" provided lovely background music.

 Can you beat this magnificent view??

 Grant and Peter enjoy a beer and a chat before the nuptials begin. Those two certainly have memories of funny things they have been involved in together over the years.

 The bridal party arrives. Grant and Ashleigh have a load of little nieces and nephews to lead the way.

 And here comes the bride, with both parents at her side to give her away.

 Pastor Dan, who conducted the marriage ceremony, is married to Ashleigh's sister Leia.

 Dan's message was great. He had us all thinking hard about our own relationships!

 Don't they look just so happy?

 Charles (R) and Kim (L) were among the guests.

 This is anothger view from the site, looking down at the old Whaling Station.

 Bernie enjoys a beer - he is dressed far more formally than the groom was! But that was how the wedding was - informal, relaxed and friendly.

 While we were there, the cargo ship "Norfolk Guardian" started its engines and set off for Sydney.

 With Ashleigh's family

Grant's Mum and Dad, Madeleine and Roger, come up for a photo.

 And another with both sets of parents

 Some "planking" going on here! But isn't that view beyond just spectacular? What a great photo opportunity!

 HAPPY FOREVER, GRANT AND ASHLEIGH!!

We are all so happy for you.

GRANT AND ASHLEIGH'S WEDDING

This has been a frustrating morning.
For 2 or 3 weeks I have been planning to post lovely pictures of Grant and Ashleigh's wedding. I took some really beautiful shots out on the clifftop at Moochie's where the ceremony took place.
Because my memory card was full, I came home and downloaded the pictures onto the computer before going to the Reception.
And now I cannot find them!
I have done a search, and obviously did not label them as "wedding'! I have either put them into the wrong folder, or I have simply lost them.
However, I do have a few shots taken at the Reception out at the Parish Centre, which may convey a little of the happiness of the occasion.

 Wedding Cake. The cake to the left was for Ashleigh's gran, who was celebrating her 80th that day!

 Lots of lollies for kids and big kids!

 The Parish Centre was transformed with fairy lights.

 Some visitors, two of many who had come to the island for the occasion, chat to Bernie.

 The food was lovely. It was served in the outdoor area.

 Danny and Jason were kept busy cooking fish.

 Everyone piled their plates high.

 Ashleigh chats to Charles.

 Thumbs up! That's how we all feel.
Grant has been part of our lives for a long time, and has been a special friend to two of our boys. 

What a pity this is the only picture I have of Grant, and a blurry one at that! Perhaps the other ones will eventually turn up in an unexpected folder!

VANUATU VOLCANO

It has taken me a while to get back to the Vanuatu story, and to show you pictures of Charles' and John's visit there, to the island of Tana.

 On one day of their visit, they were taken to the volcano.

 As I understand it, this is the main attraction that visitors to the island get to see. Our boys were fortunate that they got to experience so much more.

 Nevertheless, the trip up to the rim of the volcano was definitely a thrill!!

As you can see, it is definitely a very active volcano!

 There are no signs or safety fences.

 I understand that a couple of years ago, a couple of Japanese tourists were fatally injured by hot rocks being thrown up by the monster. Charles brought some specimens of lava back with him, a great thrill for the little boys.

Vanuatu is a part of the "ring of fire".  In the early 1900's, Bernie's grandparents were working with the Melanesian Mission up there on the island of Ambryn. They told the story of how, after some earthquake activity, a completely new island appeared in the ocean.

 Later it was time to relax again, and get ready for the feast that had been prepared.

Roast Pork!!!!!

Colourful entertainment

And now for something different......

The pictures you are about to see from this point on are not taken in Vanuatu. They are recent photos taken right here on Norfolk Island!

And, believe it or not, they are taken just a few metres from our house, on the other side of our front lawn just inside our woodland!

Yes, Vanuatu has come to Norfolk Island, and right here to Devon! I will tell you more in future postings!