BOUNTY BALL

In the evening of Bounty Day we have a community Ball. Jade and Liam have been practising their dancing for weeks. Jade and her family called in to Devonside before going to the ball, and took some photos.

 Jade is holding a little rosebud posy that Liam asked me to make for her.

 Nate and Liam both wore their new tuxedos!

 Unfortunately Nate, who had a BIG day, fell asleep before the Ball!

 All the children who had been learning their dance steps gathered at the front of Rawson Hall. They all looked so smart in their special gowns and suits.

 Miriam wore the dress and shoes that her daughter Emily had worn to her School Formal! I am not sure that Emily knows about it yet!

 Bernie is waiting to present the prize he gives each year for one of the Junior Waltz competitions.

 Liam was really excited about it all, but I think Jade was feeling a little nervous.

 Here they are on the Dance Floor. We started off with a Barn Dance.

 The young ones were just beautiful to watch.

 I am not sure what Liam is doing here- is he looking at something, or asking his lovely partner a question?

 The Rhythm Barn Dance really got them swinging......

 As it went on, Liam was really enjoying himself, and improvising the movements...I think he is going to be more comfortable on the dance floor than his parents!

 Meanwhile my friend Andrea just loves to dance. Her cousin Jeanette brought her to the Ball.

 Here she is with Uncle Tom.

It was great to see the little ones dancing not only with bigger kids, but with the adults. There was a lovely community and family atmosphere.

BOUNTY BLESSINGS

Anniversary Day, or Bounty Day, as it is usually called, is Norfolk Island's most special celebration of the year. It commemorates the day that the Pitcairners arrived on Norfolk Island on 8th June 1856.

Miriam and Tony came over for the celebrations, and we found an outfit for Tony so he could get right into the spirit of things.

 The morning features a March or Parade, which begins at Kingston pier. Here are Kim and the boys waiting to set off.

 Miriam and Tony pose for a shot with their nephews....

 And a whol;e lot of people wanted a picture of this delightful group, which features Nate and Liam and their friends Bailey, Patrick and JD.

The parade ends at the cemetery, after which those in period costume head across the Common towards Government House.

 At Government House, everyone gathers into family groups.

 The Christian clan is always the most prolific!

 After morning tea, and the judging of the best-dressed family group, everyone heads down the hill. Many of the young ones take the opportunity to roll down.

Meanwhile, everyone has been cooking, often for several days, to prepare for Bounty picnic lunch. Forget about sandwiches...this is a real feast. Below is what Kim has been preparing to add to the overladen table.

 Many people join in a community picnic down in the Prison Compound. But we now have ours at home with friends and family.

 Joanne and Ernie brought this beautiful big baked trumpeter!

Alma, who is a very old friend of the Bailey family, had to eat her lunch early, as she was catching the plane home!

 Ernie carved the ham for us.

 I counted about sixty people who joined us. Everyone brought along something to share, so we had heaps to eat and choose from!

 The little kids always have a great time exploring around the place, and for some reason wanted to shut themselves in the old parrot cage!

 Anna, Any, Leilani and Will have been joining for Bounty as long as they can remember.

 A highlight for Bounty this year was a 4 day visit from Claire Christian and her sister Pam from the Isle of Man. Claire is the President of Tynwald, which is the oldest Parliament in the World. There is a strong family connection, because Fletcher Christian's family and forbears all came from the Isle of Man.

 Many of Charlene's Filipino friends were celebrating Bounty for the first time. It was so good to have them come and share it with us.

 It was such a beautiful day, perfect weather, and plenty of good things to celebrate!