CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN
At this time of year, one realises that it is time to do a little bit of "forward thinking" for the Christmas season. This is especially important for us here at Devon, because we are looking forward to having at least nine extra people staying in the house during Christmas week, and that is without counting those in Devon Cottage and Devonside. It is going to be such a happy and busy time, with lots of little ones and young people giving us a real boost with their energy and creative enthusiasm.
But it means that I must really get stuck into the creative side of the preparations NOW!
I have made a start with a "batch" of little bags or pouches.

These tiny bags are from a pattern in "Omiyage", a lovely book of ideas for trinkets in fabric, Japanese style.

The pattern for these is just so simple......you just start out with two large triangles of fabric in contrasting colours and sew them back to back. You then fold back each corner, and sew a line of stitching about 1 cm from the folds...this will be the channel for a cord later. You then fold each side from the middle and sew...these form the sides of the bag. Then you thread cord through, and voila, a little bag that looks like a little flower.

Mind you, it will not hold very much. But with a pretty handkerchief tucked inside, or perhaps 3 or 4 wrapped choccies, or even a necklace or bracelet, they will make lovely little gifts at Christmastime.

Now I am off to think about starting a ginger beer plant, and gathering together Christmas pudding ingredients. Oh yes.....I mustn't forget that batch of fabric patchwork Christmas stockings that did not quite get finished last year!!

CASCADE PIER
The best stories of history are the ones you hear first hand from those who have lived through them.
The other day at the White Oaks Club, we were chatting about the Island's two piers, Cascade and Kingston. Situated on opposite sides of the island, both are very old, but they have been a lifeline to this island since its first beginnings. In this day and age, when we import so many goods by sea, including food supplies, from Australia and New Zealand and other parts of the world, we tend to forget that there were times when Norfolk Island was quite an exporter of produce.
In the earliest penal settlement, it was hoped that Norfolk Island could become something of a "breadbasket" for the main settlement in Sydney, and in spite of some early difficulties, this island was able to supply many of the needs of the settlement....including coffee, which is being trialled as a cash crop today.
Gilbert Jackson is one of our senior citizens who has worked very hard to create a good life for his family here on his island homeland, and who has served the community as an elected member of the island's government. He frequently comes up with some really interesting reminiscences about earlier days on this island.
Gilbert told us he remembers a time back in the early thirties when the pier at Cascade, and the area behind it would be so crowded that there would not be an inch of room to move. In those days, the "Hinemoa" from New Zealand would call in every fortnight, and would take on board supplies of fruit and vegetables to take back to the markets in New Zealand. When word got round that the ship was in, the islanders would gather together their excess produce....oranges and other citrus, bananas, and sweet potatoes mainly.... and take it down to the pier. Gilbert says you could hardly move for all the people, the horses and carts and the crates and boxes. No doubt it provided some very useful cash for household goods and the like in those days when the island was still very much a semi-subsistence rural economy. Evidently it was especially good to have this commerce in a depression era!
Sadly it all came to an end. Just another episode of a long sequence of boom and bust for this island. The potato growers in Tasmania began to complain about the fact that Australia was importing potatoes from New Zealand. And so the practice came to an end, in order to protect the local Tasmanian industry.
In retaliation, New Zealand said that it would cease importing any fruit and vegetables from Australia. Because of its connection with Australia, Norfolk Island became caught up in that ban, and thus the island lost an important market for its products. This must have been a bit of a blow to the Norfolk Island growers, but at least they still had food on the table in that Depression era.
I did love the colourful picture that Gilbert created of a busy bustling pier. I can imagine the island men standing round comparing the size of their sweet tatie, the women bringing down tea and "wetls" to keep them going, and the children lending a hand with the boxes and bunches of "plun" (bananas) in between chasing and hiding, and gathering hi-hi (periwinkles) off the rocks.
Cascade Pier is still a busy bustling place today when there is a ship in, but nowadays we are more interested in what is being unloaded...groceries, household goods, stock for the tourist shops and vehicles. Occasionally there is an animal (horse or cow) to be brought ashore, and sometimes something really large like a bus.
We still grow all the fruit and vegetables we use ourselves, and do not import any fresh produce........except potatoes, onions, garlic and ginger, and they mostly come in from New Zealand!!

DEVON RAMBLINGS
In recent times, I have had experiences and met people that have encouraged me to "free up" and became more adventurous in my creative activities. The mixed media workshop I took part in opened up all sorts of possibilities to me. I have decided that I do not really want to get too involved with paper and cardboard, or even paint, but there is a wealth of stimulating material available for me still....dyes, beads, buttons, laces, fabrics, threads, and those wonderful new generation yarns that are available now, used as much by textile artists as knitters!
And of course there is the computer, and the artistic possibilities are endless. For a long time I have wanted to do more with printing on fabric. Peggy at Kaliko Kottage has supplied me with some wonderful pre-prepared fabric in both cotton and silk, which feeds through the computer and accepts photos beautifully.
For inspiration, I usually try to look close to home and my own experiences. Devon offers many possibilities, and so I finally decided to make a concertina book called "Devon Ramblings". It will have 5-6 pairs of pages, with a picture on each side. I will join the pages with feather stitch, a technique I learnt to use on delicate bags some years ago.
Here are two of the pages which are close to completion. They just need a few more embellishments, and then the borders, which will probably include some script.
The first shows the terns nesting high up in the trees in the woodland. They return year after year in the Spring.
Thje second picture is of the back deck, with the old laundry and the Nigel room in the background. Bernie calls this deck "Mary's folly." I had it built some years ago because the back of our house always looked so bare and bland. But the one who mostly uses it to chill out is Basil the cat! So I must remember to add a cat charm or button to it.

This afternoon after our weekly Craft get-together, I was driving Andrea home. This means passing our own driveway, so I was puzzled to see a sign pinned to the fence beside our cattle stop. Then I remembered that it was Halloween, and our dear daughter-in-law Kim never misses the chance to celebrate something. She especially loves the opportunity to invite the kids to her place and do something nice for them.
I have not been sure how I feel about Halloween. When our own children were young, they were not allowed to go out trick or treating. For one thing, it seemed like a greedy, begging thing to do, and it was an American idea that I did not feel we really needed to adopt on this side of the world!
However, I have mellowed.
I must admit that many of my Christian friends continue to be horrified by the whole thing. Actually, I always thought it had originally been a Christian festival, "All Hallows' Eve", on the eve of All Saints' Day, symbolising the last ditch effort of evil to make its presence felt before being overcome by the power of God and goodness. Many of our Christian festivals were adapted from pagan celebrations...maybe this one has gone full circle! I would certainly never encourage anyone to dabble in the occult, or to feel genuine fear of things like ghosts and ghouls.
But to today's kids, it is really nothing more than an opportunity to dress up, to play a few scary games, and enjoy a few sugary treats as a bonus. I know Kim, with her lovely kind nature, just welcomes an opportunity to do something nice, caring and hospitable for the children she knows. Which is not a bad thing at all.
Meanwhile, I have equipped myself with a few treats and goodies, so I am ready if anyone should call. And they probably will, because our house is first port of call before reaching Kim and Charles at the end of the driveway. And knowing that today's children have to deal with too many grumpy and negative adults in their lives, I will welcome them in my friendliest voice, invite them in for a while, and then send them on down the driveway to "Devonside", where I know Kim has all sorts of delights waiting for them.

IN PRAISE OF COLLECTORS
You know you have found something out of the ordinary as soon as you approach the gate. And if you are lucky enough to be invited down to see "Beef" Buffett's private museum, you are in for a treat.

Bernie and I headed down to New Cascade Road on Sunday afternoon, after Beef had rung to ask us to come and see his display that he has been putting together for many years.

It was wonderful! In a lovely, specially designed and temperature controlled building built specially for his display, Beef has arranged an eclectic collection of treasures and memorabilia, from both Norfolk Island and other Pacific islands. Some of the items are things he has picked up while working in New Guinea and other places, some of it has been handed down through his family, some of it he has obtained by being in the right place at the right time (and not taking no for an answer), and some has been given or lent by folk who are glad to see their treasures properly valued and displayed.

Now look at this incredible tangled mass of roots from an old Camphor Laurel tree that was cut down near the Mission Chapel. Who would have thought of moving it, varnishing it and even using it as a background to display other items?

Beef declares he took no time at all to polish off the red wine in this enormous bottle...and we believe him!

There are clocks and crocks, stuffed wildlife, valuable old books, old tools, a lovely old Bebarfald's sewing machine with leadlight doors in the cabinet, whalebone milking stools, old lamps, spears and masks and other cultural artefacts from the Pacific islands, wonderful old photographs and paintings. There is also a wonderful display of some of Beef's own woodturning, and he is a master craftsman in that area.

Now just outside the display room is an outside loo, fit for a Queen...I kid you not! Lined with polished timber, a timber seat, pictures on the walls, and everything sparkling!

In the workshop next door, there is lots more...all sorts of household, agricultural and carpenter's tools, implements and paraphernalia, most of it just waiting for a good clean up so it can be added to the display.

Then there are the grounds, a testimony to many years of hard work, with the beautiful tropical foliage and colourful displays. Anyone driving past this area of the island cannot fail to see how just one person has enhanced a whole area with his own personal beautification programme!

I suspect that in days to come, it will not be the official museums and archives which provide valuable information about how we lived in the past. The real historians are people like Beef, who have an eye for the quirky and the unusual, but who are perceptive enough to preserve those very ordinary things which we take for granted, until we suddenly realise they are not around any more!!

We should really value our eccentrics and our folk who are passionate about the past and exotic times and places, because the time, money and resources they put into their passion is enriching not only our lives, but those of future generations.

MORE FROM THE SHOW
The granddaughters Emily and Sarah were visiting Granny and Grandad for the school holidays in October, and spent plenty of time up at Silky Oaks stables and out on trail rides. To their delight, they had the opportunity to compete in the Equestrian events in the A&H Show.
Emily competed with Possum, a somewhat mature horse who has reached an age where he feels he deserves to be allowed to do things at his own pace, thank you. Nevertheless, Em worked a bit of "Possum magic" on him, and they made a great team.
Sarah, meanwhile, worked with Kit-Kat, who is the white and brown horse in the background. (I am sure there is a proper name for his colouring, but I am not much good with horse language!) In this picture, Sarah is working with another horse in the led-in section of the Show, which took place on the Saturday. Kit-Kat is somewhat younger and less experienced, this being his very first Show too. But he and Sarah were a good partnership.
The actual riding events took place on the Monday, the actual Show Day, and the girls had a great time, and came home with lots of ribbons. However, Emily left one of hers wrapped around the post in Possum's stall, because she felt he really deserved it for all his hard work!
Adding to all the fun was the fact that the girls' cousins Anna and Amy are also right into the horseriding scene, and were competing with them.
The four girls had a great sleepover at Devon one night, and really loved having the opportunity to get to know each other better. They can't wait till the next holidays!

ON SHOW
Last Monday was the day of our annual Norfolk Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Show. This is a traditional Country show, but we are extremely proud of our Royal patronage, granted in 1968.
There have been Shows held on Norfolk ever since 1860, but there is a link that goes back even further than that. It was Fletcher Christian's first cousin, John Christian Curwen, who is credited with forming the very first agricultural society in England, in 1805.
I usually get asked to help judge the Needlework section in the Hall exhibits, something I enjoy doing, although I feel somewhat guilty about using it an excuse for not actually entering instead!
I try to make sure the other judge is someone who has plenty of technical expertise with needlework, to counterbalance my own focus on creativity, originality and aesthetics or "wow factor." We can only hope we get it right. I must admit we often do a bit of juggling, moving things from one class to another, in order to give out as many awards as possible! I would like to give a prize to everyone who takes the trouble to enter!
When I had finished judging, I took the opportunity to zoom around the hall with my camera, before the official opening to the public. My idea was to get pictures of flowers and fruit and produce to print out onto fabric using the computer...I have a real weakness for fruit and vegetable prints, so thought I could make my own, to use in Crazy patchwork projects.
The top picture is just part of 'Farmer Lou's' entry in the farm produce section. I think you will agree it is magnificent!
After the Show, a lot of the produce is auctioned off, with funds going to the hospital.
I think you will agree that it is all quite inspiring!

PLAYING THE GAME
So much has been happening lately, both on the island and in the family, and also in my creative pursuits, that I feel I have heaps to write about.
However, I must put this aside to fulfil a commitment, and "play tag". Tagging is the latest game in the interactive world of blogging, and involves issuing a challenge to a set number of fellow bloggers, who then in turn pass on ther challenge to other bloggers. It is certainly a good way of getting to explore other blogs, but I suspect that it may become a bit like a chain letter......the mathematics tell me there just aren't enough bloggers out there, at least not enough of a playful frame of mind and similar interests, for the game to continue for very long.
Anyway, I have been tagged by Norma in the U.S., a fellow crazy quilter, and the challenge is to describe five weird things about myself.
Now, putting aside my firm conviction that I am completely normal, and it is only others who are weird, I have thought long and hard about this. I have decided that weird things can come under four main categories...eccentricities, phobias, habits and body tricks. I will dispense with habits, because I have decided long ago that habits that do not contribute to smooth, efficient and stress free functioning of one's existence are just not worth cultivating or sticking with. But I can manage a smattering of the others.
Weird thing 1. I am scared of moths. Over the years I have become more tolerant of the little ones, but I still hate to be in the same room as a really big moth. On the other hand, as a child, I just loved hairy caterpillars, and would pick them up and stroke them. But I have not met a hairy caterpillar for many years, so I do not know what my reaction would be today.
Weird thing2. I can wiggle the little toe on my right foot independent of all the others. I have been able to do this as long as I can remember.
Weird thing 3. I am one of a fairly uncommon group of people who have "synaesthesia". Look it up on Google. For decades I used to wonder why I got weird looks when I spoke about Monday being a creamy yellow colour, about the letter C being bright green, and about the numbers going vertically upwards up to number 10, going horizontal until 20, then going back up to 100 before reverting to a horizontal but retreating pattern. Then I found an article in a Time magazine about this condition where, when one sense is stimulated, another one responds, and I did not feel so lonely any more.
Weird Thing 4. I do not like telephones. I can cope with answering them nowadays, but would rather make a long journey to ask someone something face to face than to ring them up. I have other phobias, to, like vacuum cleaners, but will not go into that.
Weird Thing 5. I would sooner shop in an Opportunity Shop than any other. You could put me in a city full of wonderful stores, and even give me unlimited funds to spend, but I would still head first of all for the Op shops and markets and second hand places, knowing they would yield me more treasures and exciting stuff than all the others put together. I know all you other creative folk - crazy patchworkers, mixed media and textile artists, collectors etc -will relate to this, and not regard it as weird at all. It is not just a thrift thing or a bargain-hunting mentality. It is the love of gathering together a random collection of pre-loved trinkets and textures, with the prospect of combining them into something new and wonderful, or simply giving them a loving and appreciative home!

Now, does anyone else want to play?

BRIGHTENING MY DAY
Why would anyone go to a Garage Sale, and buy a teapot without a lid?
Even a fat white Coalport teapot?
I think you will agree that it makes a wonderful vase for these nasturtiums. I love nasturtiums, and have always felt they needed unusual containers to show off their rambling habit. Perhaps this stems from my childhood days, when there was a story in my "Dick and Dora" reader about some nasturtiums that were planted in a pair of boots!
In any case, these free-spirited blooms have brightened what has been a topsy-turvy couple of days for me.
Yesterday morning, we were putting the finishing touches to the "Best in Show" Museum display that I have been putting together for the Agricultural and Horticultural Society for this month. I made one final visit to the A&H office in town to get just a few more old trophies to fill in a few spaces. As I left the office, I reversed into what was virtually a paddock...and would you believe it...this tall spindly tree fair jumped out at me and left quite a scrape and dint along the side of my car! I felt so stupid, especially as we have not yet repaired the spot where the bank on the side of the road leapt out at my headlights a few months ago.
Oh well. The official opening of the exhibition went well last night, and everyone seemed to find the display really interesting.
This morning Emily and Sarah "veged" out in front of the TV, both of them feeling somewhat weary from all the horse riding they have been doing lately in preparation for the Show. This gave me a break to do some much needed vacuuming and preparation for the lunch I am putting on for the Cattle judge and stewards tomorrow.
This afternoon was sad and poignant. We went to the funeral for a much beloved lady, Dottie. Both Bernie and I have very beautiful (but different) memories going a long way back of this dear person, who, although she was rarely seen in public outside her home, had a special place in the hearts of so many people whom she had touched with her warmth and love. It was a huge funeral, and was conducted with a moving simplicity by our new chaplain Rod.
Dottie loved flowers. I think I will dedicate my free spirited blossoms to her.

THE YEAR MOVES ON
The weather is getting warmer, and the lovely winter rains have slowed down.
A reminder that we are moving into that part of the year when we all start saying "I cannot believe it will soon be Christmas."
There are a couple of very distinct "seasonal" reminders just in front of "Devon." The other morning, Bernie and I were enjoying a cuppa on the front verandah, when we realised the first pair of Fairy terns have set up their nursery on the branch of the big old White Oak.
Each year, the terns spend our winter up in more northerly climates, such as the Philippines, and return in the mid to late Spring, to breed their young. They return to the same trees and branches generation after generation. They do not build nests, but hatch their eggs directly on the branch, sealing it with a sticky secretion. The same "glue" helps the very fluffy chick to stay in place until he develops his smoother white flying feathers. Sadly, in a storm, some chicks or eggs may be blown to the ground. It is very tempting to try to rescue these chicks, and hand feed them. But our efforts are not always successful....nature knows best.
Meanwhile, the native wisteria has burst into bloom and is draping itself over nearby trees. There will still be some blooms when the Jacaranda starts to put on its November show...they look wonderful side by side.
Here is an update on the Norfolk Incinerator. Captain Pugwash and his men have reached Forster on the New South Wales Coast, after an exceptionally speedy run from Lord Howe. After gathering their resources, and carrying out minor maintenance, they will continue down the coast to Sydney, and John will leave them there and head back to Norfolk Island.
Granddaughter Emily, who arrived last Sunday, will be very glad to see her Uncle John, especially as Uncle Charles, together with Kim, heads off to New Caledonia today on a special charter, for a few days R&R.
Life is very busy just now. We are both actively involved in preparations for an Organ Recital tomorrow evening at the Chapel, a Museum display next week, and the A&H Show the following weekend. I hope to bring you news and pictures of all these events in coming posts.
Meanwhile, here is a picture of Charles and Kim at the airport, prior to their departure.

INCINERATOR BURNS AHEAD

The picture above shows John and Bernie sharing a few moments on Cascade wharf before the catamaran Incinerator was put into the water on Tuesday afternoon.

We have spoken to the boys on the Incinerator a couple of times by satellite phone, and this morning they were over halfway to Lord Howe Island. For the first night and day of sailing, the sea was like a millpond, and in spite of a few problems with one of the outboards, they were making great progress.
Since then there has been a bit of wind and some choppy seas, but they are fine. In fact, they say have so much food aboard, thanks to everyone's generosity and some over-enthusiastic provisioning, they are doubtful if they would manage to get through it in forty days and forty nights!!
Meanwhile, thanks to Jonno at the Printery, I have managed to find some pictures of the original rescue operation last December.

BACK AT SEA
Norfolk Island receives many visitors, but none more unusual or unexpected than this object that was seen bobbing in the ocean to the north of the island in December last year.
A group of enterprising local fellows, including our son John, headed out in a boat and secured a rope to the abandoned craft, and hired the government launch to help them tow it back to shore. After pumping out the hulls (which contained quite a few large and healthy Kingfish), they organised a crane to lift it onto the wharf, and a hastily constructed cradle. This operation earned them the right to call themselves the official "salvage team."
A large number of kids and adults rallied round with waterblasters, scotchbrite, scrapers and all manner of things to move an enormous accumulation of barnacles, and after a few hours, the name "Incinerator" was revealed. This confirmed what some initial enquiries had suggested, that this was a 14 metre catamaran that had been at sea for nearly 6 months, since it had overturned and its crew had been rescued just outside Sydney Heads in the previous July. At some stage, after what were extensive travels around the Tasman, it had mysteriously righted itself, and had been spied and photographed by a passing freighter about 170 miles SW of Norfolk a few weeks before.
After the initial cleaning up, the Catamaran was moved (with centimetres to spare) up the narrow Cascade Road to Geek's paddock up country, until more could be discovered about the past and future of this incredibly lucky vessel.
The designer of the Cat, Robin Chamberlin, was immediately relieved and delighted to learn of the rescue of his pride and joy. It may have been the victim of some bad luck and poor sailing...it had actually been in a big shed fire when it was close to completion, thus the name. But the yacht had also shown itself to be very fast, winning the Three Peaks Race in Tasmania the previous year. Rob made plans to visit the island as soon as possible. At this stage, Incinerator had become the property of NRMA Insurance, who had paid out the owners. Negotiations continued, and Rob Chamberlin's friend Terry Travers eventually became the new owner, and was very keen to repair the vessel, which had actually suffered fairly minimal structural damage.
For the past 6 weeks, Rob and young Adam Travers, who is the new owner's son, have been hard at work making Incinerator seaworthy again.
Yesterday afternoon she was finally returned to the water, with a new name "Norfolk Incinerator", and plenty of evidence of her strong Norfolk Island connection firmly imprinted all over her hulls. Three members of the salvage team have joined Rob and Adam to crew her back to New South Wales...our John, Byron Adams and "Bunting" (Kerry Douran.) There were plenty there to see them off, and to load them up with supplies for a voyage of uncertain length...that is because they are only using two outboard motors, with a rudimentary sail. After reaching Sydney, "Incinerator" will continue on to Tasmania for a complete restoration and refurbishment. Much of this has been made possible by the incredible skills and resourcefulness of our wonderful Norfolk fellows, something that Rob and Terry have been keen to acknowledge.
Among the supplies put aboard was a big bunch of bananas. It was suggested that if they did not want to eat them, they may be able to recoup some of their expenses by selling them back in banana starved Aussie!!
Just before their departure, our Chaplain Rod said a prayer for their success and safety. The latest news via satellite phone, is that they are making good progress towards Lord Howe Island, and the sea is like a millpond. Praise the Lord!

KIK ATTAINS HIS O.B.E.
His name is George, but he has rarely been called anything but "Kik" since he was a boy.
Last week he reached his OBE (Over B...... Eighty), and we celebrated in grand style.
Kik is much loved by us all, but the young ones think he is really special. Our son Peter has enormous respect and affection for him.
Early on the birthday morning, Kik's grandkids and other young blokes all formed a Norfolk "Groundforce" and headed up to Cutters' Corn to mow the lawn, trim the hedges etc. as their gift on this special day. Actually Peter had to leave the John Deere ride-on mower from Fletcher Christian up there while he went to clear the mail from that morning's plane. Kik took great delight in thanking him for his wonderful present when he saw Peter later!
About 80 of us gathered at the South Pacific for a wonderful smorgasbord lunch, organised by Bonnie and the family. It was a great Norfolk occasion.
Greg Quintal paid a special tribute, recalling Kik's young days, when he seemed to score all the best girls and horses! Greg also had a chuckle recounting a recent occasion when Kik was playing Jaero (a Norfolk card game) at White Oak Club. As he produced the trump card to win the game, he raised his hand and said: "Thank you Lord"...and a solemn, but mischievous voice called back "You're welcome!"
Then it was the grandkids' turn, and they left us in no doubt of the strong anfd beneficial influence their Pop has had on their lives.
Kik's presence is pretty important at any occasion in this community, because he is our "lead singer!" In church, every vistor's head turns to see where the glorious sound is coming from. He always has the job of starting off the Pitcairn anthem or the Norfolk grace. Glad to say that grandson Wes has inherited the good singing voice, as well as Kik's good nature!
Congratulations and well done, Kik! And many happy returns!

JAMES DAWE THE MILLWRIGHT
When Bernie was a boy, the land stretching right up Queen Elizabeth Avenue from where Hillcrest Hotel now stands right up to the corner at Middlegate, was known as "Dawe's Land." The seven acres where our home "Devon" was built in the 1920's was also part of "Dawe's Land".
This land, totalling about 54 acres, was granted in 1859 to a James Dawe, who was a miller.
When the Pitcairners were moved to Norfolk Island from Pitcairn, the Colonial authorities, in their wisdom, decided to bring out from England a small group of people who would provide some skills which were not available in the Pitcairn community. This included a man called Blinnan, a stonemason, and Rossiter, a schoolteacher. There was also a shoemaker and an agriculturalist.
These men were enticed to leave their homes and employment in England with the promise of a free passage for themselves and their families, and a free grant of land on Norfolk Island.
James Dawe, who came from Cornwall, but who had studied much of his trade in Devon, arrived with his wife Mary Ann and one child (one seems to have died en route) in June 1859. Two more children were born while he was here.
Dawe did not find things easy on the island, and he appears to have regrets about leaving behind his home and business in England. The two mills on the island were in a bad state of repair, especially the windmill. He decided to concentrate on getting the watermill (whose ruins are pictured above) into good working order. He was hampered by lack of proper financial assistance, but his worst problem came from an apparent lack of interest and co-operation from the Pitcairners.
Not only were they unwilling to lend a hand with the physical work, but showed little interest in learning to either grow or grind the grain. What we should remember is that this community had come from a small tropical island, and had a strong Polynesian ethnic and cultural base. Large scale cultivation in the European style was foreign to them. In any case, the starch part of their diet was more likely to come from such things as kumera, yam, maize and arrowroot, rather than from bread and wheat flour.
Dawes also complained that the Bounty people seemed to want to be left alone, and resented the presence of outsiders in their community. There must have been a real clash of cultures, something that the well-meaning but insensitive colonial authorities had not considered. The only one of these newcomers who ended up staying and marrying into the island families was Thomas Rossiter. But he was the only one who had a guaranteed income, a princely 300 pounds a year!
Dawe appears to have lived in a convict built cottage close to the Watermill. We do not know if he used his grant to grow anything for his own needs apart from cattle, but we do know that by 1861, he was leasing the land to the Sawmill Company, owned by Charles Christian.
By 1862, Dawe had decided to cut his losses and move his family to Sydney. He sold his land to Charles Christian. This was the very first sale of land in the post-convict era. Charles paid 30 pounds for the 54 acres, but he also paid 17 pounds for 7 cattle belonging to Dawes, and we still have the receipt!

I have often wondered how Charles( a grandson of Fletcher Christian) could have accumulated sufficient cash to deal in property at that early stage, but they say he was a very entrepreneurial man, and sold produce and supplies to the Mission ship "Southern Cross" and to other passing vessels, including whaling ships.

Charles apportioned the land to some of his 16 offspring, including 20 acres to his daughter Emily (who was Bernie's great-grandmother.) Of course, as was the custom, the land was put in the name of her husband George Bailey.) Emily and George bequeathed the 7 acres where Devon stands to their daughter Charlotte, who left it to her great-nephew Bernie (my husband.)

Today we had a visit from Margaret Smith of Castle Hill in Sydney. Margaret is descended from Dawe's son James Greenland Dawe, who was born on Norfolk Island. By a remarkable coincidence, James' granddaughter Alice married a great-great grandson of Nathaniel Lucas, who was on Norfolk Island in the convict settlement. Now Nathaniel Lucas had been responsible for helping build those mills!

Next time I shall tell you about another remarkable coincidence, where other previous owners and occupiers of "Devon" turn out to have an interesting connection!

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
An unexpected and much appreciated gift of a large quantity of end-of-bolt upholstery fabric has given me the impetus to get in and finish off a few projects, such as this cushion.
I think I must have done most of the work on the Crazy Patch front a couple of years ago, during my "shabby chic" phase, when I was somewhat hooked on these soft pink/green combinations. Come to think of it, I still love this rather classical look, partly because it reminds me somewhat of my mother, who was a great exponent of "Shabby Chic" without ever knowing it.
The cushion is on the bed in Edward's room, and in the background you will see the lovely soft green chenille bedspread, one of a pair I was delighted to find and purchase at the Op Shop recently. There is something about this soft turquoisey/mint green that I find extremely nostalgic. I remember it was the favourite colour in my paintbox when I was a small child.
Actually, Edward's room has undergone a somewhat feminine transformation while he is away working in Sydney. But it is only a surface thing, achieved with hangings, pictures, bed linen and ornaments. I am sure I can quickly reverse the effect, and change it back to a more masculine room when he comes home for Christmas!
Meanwhile I have a couple of other cushions that are finished or nearly finished, which I will show you in postings in the near future.
As for the upholtsery fabric....well, Ross (our friendly upholsterer) arrived with a vanload a couple of weekends ago. He was having a clean-out. Well, you know the story....one person's clean-out becomes another person's junk pile. Bernie was remarkably restrained when he saw this massive, untidy mound of bolts of fabric all over the verandah. I should have taken a photo, but felt the urgency of unwinding it from those big bolts into more manageable folded piles before my DH's patience was really put to the test! Now I have it hidden all over the place, in cupboards here and there, behind doors, in the boot of my car. I am using some for these current projects, I gave some to Tony, who makes lots of cushions for people, and some has gone to the Op Shop. But I must confess that there are a couple of bolts, in the "too-hard basket", still there on the verandah, giving rise to mutterings from Bernie, and mumbled excuses from me every time we pass them!
But one bolt - about 25 metres of poly gingham in a striking dark green and white check- was used the very next day in a marathon sewing session. I made it into about 10 picnic/party table cloths to replace the old faithful red and white ones that have served us faithfully for about 20 years or more.
Meanwhile...can anyone suggest a use for about 40 metres of dark green poly corduroy velvet?

THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING
Spring has arrived in this part of the world, and it is a beautiful day here on Norfolk Island. Although a little of the winter crispness lingers in the air, especially in the evenings, there is no doubt that we are entering the time of year when nature responds joyfully to the lengthening days and the warmer air.
There are new calves on the Common and in the paddocks, and the shrubs in the garden are full of buds and new shoots. They are showing the benefit of our lovely winter rains.
The bees are busy, too.
Funny thing about bees. Whenever I see them buzzing around the blossoms...they just love the lavender and pineapple sage in the bed in front of our house....I always get the feeling "all's right with the world."

Living in a sub-tropical zone, perhaps we are not so conscious of the seasonal variations here on Norfolk Island as in the temperate and cooler zones. Many of your lovely bulbs and cottage garden plants yearn for a colder winter, so they can bury themselves and go to sleep while the frost covers the ground. We are compensated by the rich foliage colours and showy flowers of the tropical plants around us

But that does not stop us trying to emulate our gardening friends from Europe and North America!
Take these daffodils, grown and arranged by our friend Edie Mack. When Edie planted her bulbs some years ago, we told her that she could only expect to get a year or two out of them here in this climate.
But we forgot to tell the daffodils, and year by year, not only have they emerged in their glorious gold formation each year in Edie's garden, but they have multiplied magnificently. I don't know if it is the care and loving attention, or if Edie is talking to them in just the right way, but they are always magnificent at this time of year. This particular arrangement was the prize for the lucky winner of the raffle at the White Oak Club last week.
I have just a few of Edie's bulbs in my garden. I see that several of the green spikes have poked through the ground without me even noticing. They are partly hidden among the untidy cluster of opium poppy seedlings that faithfully appear each year and provide me with a brief, but very welcome show of pink blooms each Spring.
Any day now, I hope I will be able to pick my own little bunch of daffodils. Then I will know that Spring has truly arrived here at Devon.

TOURING IN STYLE

I came across this picture while browsing through some old photos. This is how the visitors saw the island in the earliest days of the island being a tourist destination.
Bernie's cousin Marie devised a way of transporting the larger numbers, converting old lorries in tourist buses. A full or half-day "Island Tour" was, and still is, a "must" for our visitors. Norfolk may only be five miles by three, but is said to have more than 100 miles of driveable roads (I have never really checked that one out...I suspect it might involve travelling each road in both directions!)

It must have been a somewhat bumpy ride, as few roads were tarsealed in those days. Most of them were dirt or mud, with a surface coating of crushed coral in the busier traffic areas.

I might add that Marie is still enterprising and forward-thinking, even though she turns eighty this year!
And believe it or not, the A-model Ford in front is still in service. The remarkably sound and simple 'works' are still kept in tip-top condition by our much-loved garageman Ralph Holloway.
Charles uses the 'bus' to drive the visitors who come to the Pitcairn Settlers' Village. However, it still ocasionally has an outing on the roads, particularly for street parades and other special occasions.

In the picture below, the old girl has been pressed into service to carry the less mobile folk on the 'Bounty Day" march. Cousin Marie and Bernie are standing in front.

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS
Well, not really...though it will come round soon enough!
A discussion on one of the online Crazyquilt lists I belong to reminded me of a Christmas ornament I have. Someone had been making a sweet little pincushion demonstrated on this site (it is in French, but the pictures explain it all.)
http://silepointcompte.free.fr/bricotruc/biscornu/biscornu.htm

I recalled a lovely hanging ornament that I had bought at a little Embroidery/Quilt display we came across in Hastings, NZ, about 4 years ago. It is made using a similar technique. You start off with two pieces of fabric. In this case they are rectangles, each side embroidered with a lovely angels, and stiffened at the back. You join the two pieces by oversewing, but you start by attaching the corner of one rectangle to the middle of one of the long sides of the other. You end up with an intriguing twisted box shape. Cover the seams with a cord, add a tassel and a hanging loop, and you have a lovely decoration.
While I was up in the attic looking for this ornament (we keep the tree up there decorated ready from year to year), I decided to bring down another memorable ornament to show you.
Some years ago, I was staying in Buderim with friends, and went to a Christmas Fair at the local Community Centre. There was a stall selling a variety of little handmade tree ornaments. It was "manned" by two elderly ladies, but I think they were selling on behalf of other people also.
I came across this funny little Father Christmas ornament. Although it was somewhat 'tacky' and kitsch, I thought the design had possibilities for me to improve on it, so I handed it over with the money to one of the ladies.
As she was removing the price tag, and preparing to wrap it, the other lady looked down at it somewhat disapprovingly and said:
"What on earth is that ugly thing?"
"It is Santa Claus" was the reply.
"Well, it looks more like a member of the Klu Klux Klan!"
Somewhat embarrassed, the first lady said:
"Well...um...this lady is buying it."
The second lady looked at me, looked at the ornament, then said:
"Oh well, in that case, it is very nice!!!"
Talk about diplomacy.
Needless to say I will always treasure this somewhat homely little Father Christmas, because of those memories.

FAREWELL TO A STITCHING PAL
It is not a great photo, because I cropped it out of a much larger one of our Pineneedles Quilt group. I suspect that Maggie was not really enthusiastic about being captured by the camera at any time!
Maggie (More) and her husband John left the island on Wednesday, to make a new home for themselves in Nelson in New Zealand. They took a holiday there a year or two back, and decided this was the right time to make a move. For them, the Nelson area had good vibes, and anyone who has been there would agree with them.
But it is a little harder for us who are left behind to understand how they could bring themselves to leave behind those four decades of roots they have grown in this community, not to mention their wonderful home, with all its home-made and handmade evidence of their craftsmanship and creativity.
We so much loved our quilting afternoons at Maggie's. The house was very much in the style of the area from which Maggie came, which was Colorado, but with wonderful concessions to our more subtropical climate, with a large breezeway between the two halves of the house. The garden, too, was a typical Sunset magazine garden, with drought tolerant plants, very sculptural, but cottagey and homely at the same time. I would describe Maggie and John's home as a unique blend of minimalism coupled with a warm and welcoming mellowness. We just loved relaxing in those capacious window seats, with their valley views!
Maggie and I have been stitching companions for many years. Our styles have always been completely different, but we have still been able to share so much inspirstion together. I have always been amazed at Maggie's colour sense, and her ability to combine pink, orange and red and make them look just stunning! I have always found our American sisters are far more comfortable with these combinations than we are here downunder!
Well, Maggie and John have well and truly downsized, and left so much behind them. They are off on a grand adventure. We will miss them so much.
I know the new owners really love the house and appreciate its unique character. Jezzie the dog has been lovingly settled into a new home with a lovely family. And each of us...Maggie's stitching pals...will have little reminders and warm memories of the many hours we have spent together reflecting on life as we plied our needles in and out!

LAUNCH DAY!!
Today the new Government launch finally had its christening test run down at Cascade Bay. It was a glorious winter's day, with hints of Spring just round the corner. The sky was clear and blue, and water was calm and sparkling in the sunshine.
We arrived just as the crane let the boat down into the water, with 4 people aboard - John and Darren from the Joinery, Matt from Admin Works Department, and Short Graham at the helm. The first 3 were the main ones who had worked on the boat, while Short was there because he has been driving the Government launches for decades (and his father before him.) I believe the new launch is to be named after him! In any case, you could not wipe the wonderful smile of pride and pleasure from his face as he put the launch through its paces!
Everyone agreed that it glided just beautifully through the water, and did everything expected of it, and more....
John Deadman, the Lighterage manager, told us it is almost exactly 50 years since the last Norfolk built launch, "Philly"(named for its builder Philly McCoy) was built. He said that they are considering restoring "Philly", as it will almost certainly outlast the imported metal ones that have since been imported.
After half an hour or so, the launch came back to the pier, and some others were invited aboard, including Bernie, and others who had been involved in the project, including John's apprentices Adrian and Jake.
Having passed its test run with flying colours,"Short" will go into serious service towing the lighters in a week or so when the next ship comes in.

ARMCHAIR TRAVELLING...IN THE 21ST CENTURY
We seem to live in an uncertain world, where the news on TV is so often disturbing and stomach churning. Here on Norfolk Island, the past few months have been somewhat tense and unsettled, as we deal with political difficulties without and within, plus an economic downturn that has forced us to tighten our belts somewhat.
Nevertheless, it has also been a time to re-assess priorities, and to savour the good things and wonderful people around us. Life is full of wonderful experiences and opportunities right here on our doorsteps and at our fingertips.
And speaking of fingertips, I am incredibly thankful to live in the age of the Internet, emails, and more recently- blogging!
You see, even though I may not have taken a holiday for a couple of years, last night my fingertips took me to Spain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, England, Switzerland and the U.S.A. On my journey, I met many likeminded people, women of all ages who share passions and interests of mine in varying degrees. They welcomed me into their homes, introduced me to family and friends, shared secrets, advice, and aspirations, took me on a tour of their galleries and studios and workspaces, and allowed me to feast my eyes on their works of art and works-in-progress. From time to time, I was able to leave a comment in a "visitor's book". Within minutes an email reply came from a lady in England, whose stunning wallhanging I had admired. And she was asking for my help with a problem she was having in managing her blog. As I visited sites, I received directions and signposts to other sites and blogs that would please me and stimulate me.......and so my journey continued. Unexpectedly, I would find myself in the studio of someone whose name was familiar to me from books and magazines, people whom I almost regard as "gurus",and I would feel just so honoured to be right there, as it were, listening to them and learning about their own artistic journeys.
And when the hour was getting late, I just switched off and climbed into bed, and thought of all the wonderful treasures I had shared....and looked forward to going on another journey tomorrow evening.
I barely scratched the surface. Anytime I wish, I can take a tour to visit people who do Crazy Patchwork, Collage, Art dolls, Surface Design, Fibre and Textile arts, Beading, Mixed media Art, quilting, Creative Embroidery, and all sorts of other pursuits that delight my heart and eyes. Last night I visited just a few of the sites in the "Surface Design Webring." There are hundreds of blogs and websites out there, little galleries, shelters of sanctuary, welcoming studios, forums, personal exhibitions, Art Journals and diaries, open houses and at-homes, free tutorials and workshops, noticeboards...........a rich and welcoming interactive smorgasbord from the global community of artists and artisans and craftspeople. The internet has provided opportunities, not only to share and display one's work, but to receive satisfying feedback, and an instant and easy way of sharing and communicating with others who share your passion all over the world.
Deep down, I am conservative, nostalgic about the good old days, like the simple life, and am even a bit of a technophobe. But I count myself blest to live in 2006, where the world, particularly the creative world, is at my fingertips when I sit at my computer.

WHERE DID YOU GET THAT HAT?
I am always looking for something new to make with Crazy Patchwork, and last year I found a pattern for a beret. The design was developed by Annie Whitsed from Canberra, and I have actually seen Annie wearing one of these berets with great flair and panache.
I pulled out my jazziest scraps and went to town.
I took the attitude that if someone is brave and eccentric enough to wear a beret like this, then I may as well make it really loud and showy!
Fortunately I was able to email Annie when I needed a bit of explanation for the instructions at one stage, and Annie was, as usual, very generous with her help!
I embellished the beret as lavishly as I dared for something which does, after all, have to be practical enough to be worn!
For the underneath part, I used some felt that I had made myself. I bought a black woollen jumper at the Op shop, and washed it in very hot and cold water and detergent. In other words, I did all the wrong things for washing pure wool, and the result was a nice bit of thick felt with just the slightest bit of stretchiness. The lining was a lovely taffeta in the richest fuchsia/purple shade.
I certainly will not be the one who will wear the beret. I made it a little too small for my head. In any case, it looks as if it belongs to more cold and wintry place than Norfolk Island!
Meanwhile, the beret hangs decoratively on the post at the foot of the stairs, along with the bag I made to match it. One of these days, hopefully, I will find just the right person to give it to!
I was going to post a picture of the matching bag, but I will have to do that some other time. You see, Basil the cat had decided to take his nap on top of the scanner, and I could not possibly disturb him!

KOOL DYEING Nancy is a lovely lady who comes and stays in our apartments two or three times a year. Her home is in Florida U.S.A., but Norfolk is her second home, and while she is here she transforms No. 12 into her own homely little nest, with her bits and pieces that she leaves here between visits.

This time I emailed Nancy and asked if she could bring with her some sachets of Kool Aid. This is a concentrated drink powder, artificially coloured and flavoured, which makes up to 2 quarts of flavoured drink ..that is more than 2 litres!
I had heard that lots of the American girls use Kool Aid to dye ribbons, lace and fabric, so I thought I ought to give it a go.
Nancy found she had trouble buying individual sachets. They are mostly done up in packs. The shop assistants told her that this is because the kids target them for shoplifting....it is easier to hide a single sachet. Evidently the young ones have taken to using them to dye their hair!!!
Anyway, Nancy managed to bring me about a dozen colours/flavours, and I had a session dyeing, using some pieces of silk.
I put a bit of powder into a cup, added a trickle of vinegar, then just enough boiling water to dissolve the powder, but not to dilute it too much. I then poured it over the fabric, with a folded piece of silk from the end of the bolt to catch the excess.
The fabric took the dye straight away, and almost none could be rinsed out. But to be sure, I zapped the silk in the microwave in 10 and 20 second bursts until it was almost dry, then finished it off with the iron.
The exercise brought back memories of a time when I was a teenager. I was going to a big Youth Rally, and wanted a pair of green gloves to match what I was wearing. So I got a pair of old white gloves and "dyed"them with green food colouring. They looked quite good.
But half way through the evening, it got quite warm, and my hands were feeling sweaty. So I removed the gloves.....to reveal bright green hands!! It is one of those embarrassing moments that only seem funny after several decades have passed.
The Kool Aid experiment was somewhat more successful.
The piece below in the picture is part of the scrap I had underneath to catch the excess dye. This piece contains about 6 colours/flavours. You can still smell them!
It is a bit crumpled, but the colours are wonderful. But just imagine what it does the those kids' insides, let alone their behaviour!