The QuiltNorfolk ladies have been at it again. They organised another very successful "Quilt Getaway" on Norfolk Island. Quilters came from both Australia and New Zealand to enjoy a variety of quilting workshops, as well as experiencing all the other delights that Norfolk Island has to offer.

 Although I was unable to take part, I was able to visit a couple of the workshop sessions out at the Parish Centre.

 On the Monday and Tuesday, there was a workshop using Jelly Rolls, with a visiting tutor from Tauranga in New Zealand.

 On the Wednesday and Friday, the same tutor guided the participants in making a "Kaleidoscope" quilt.

 There was a lot of "playing and working" going on, interspersed by the need to make important decisions about "what goes with what.."

 Everyone admired the results, and they were all so different!

 On the Thursday, there was an exhibition in Maria's Restaurant at the Hillcrest Hotel, and lots of Norfolkers took the opportunity to come and look...

 I really liked this "shabby chic" quilt below. In fact, as I stood there admiring it, a number of people came up and said that they had lots of doileys like that at home, which they never used. I thought if I stayed there long enough asking them to think of me before they discarded them, I might acquire quite a collection!!! But hopefully many were inspired enough to make use of them in a similar way!

 I really must find out more about this Cathedral Window variation!

 A lovely leafy quilt in zingy colours.

 This one was made by our local headmaster's wife......I have always loved scrap quilts using simple squares and resolved to get out my soft florals again.

 Even the menfolk enjoyed the display.

 Believe it or not, this in-progress kaleidoscope quilt started out with a print of hydrangeas.

I was often tempted when I saw the pattern for this Cat quilt advertised. It was lovely to see the finished result. It won the Viewers' Choice award.

 I hope the QuiltNorfolk committee was pleased with this year's event, and that they are busy planning the next one!



HALLOWE'EN HO - HUM

As regular followers of this blog will know, Hallowe'en has been a BIG EVENT at Devon for the past few years. I never encouraged my kids to go trick or treating when they were young, and I was a little disconcerted when Kim and Charles put out the welcome and invitation signs at our cattle stop. But I need not have worried. It was great to have the kids come, and feel welcomed. And each year, Kim and Charles and the helpers from Charles' shed put on a bigger and better entertainment for the kids. One year it was a VERY haunted house, then there was the Haunted Wood. Last year we had the incredible Haunted Maze, which took about a fortnight to erect!!!

This year, however, they decided to have a break, let others do the entertaining, and to take 4 year old William Trick or Treating.....

 Here are the two scary pirates...

 Joined by the Wicked Devil Lady!

 See - this is what we look like...are we scary enough??

 Nate is not into Hallowe'en yet, and it was decided he would stay with us.

 We expected we would still get a lot of callers, and these were the first - and, I am sorry to say, the last. I had stocked up on lots of lollies. but when I started to hand them out, one kid said "Is that all?" and most forgot to say thank you - and some of them had not even bothered to dress up, altho' those who had looked great, as you can see!!! I guess they were a bit nervous too, but I felt a little cheesed off, and Nate was tired and  crying...... Actually, I had had a long tiring day...

So I turned off the lights at the front of the house, drew the curtains and sang Nate peacefully to sleep .

I am sure we will be ready for a better Hallowe'en next year, and William did enjoy his trick or treating (even though he does not really care for lollies.)
Meanwhile Kim and Charles are planning a BIG Christmas light Show for December, and everyone will descend on Devon again, which will be nice.

GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL

Now Norfolk Island is hundreds of miles from anywhere. It is the ultimate in "getting away from it all." And that is how we like it. We do not feel in the least bit isolated. Everyone else is isolated from us!!

Nevertheless, on those occasions when we feel  we are building up a bit of stress around us, we do need our own version of "getting away from it all" and we head out to "Captain Cook"

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 "Captain Cook", which is short for "Captain Cook's Monument", is a beautiful clifftop location at the NNE of our island. It is about as far as you can go on this island, albeit no more than ten minutes' drive away from almost anywhere here. It is the place where a monument was placed back in the fifties, because it was thought it was the nearest point to where Captain Cook landed back in 1774.

 It is a most scenic spot, with glorious coastal views in all directions.

 The monument is at the end of what must be one of the world's most beautiful Bridle tracks - used more for walking than riding nowadays.

 In recent years, Parks and Wildlife have managed the area, and have greatly beautified the area and enhanced the visitor experience.

 Cattle have been kept out, and there have been massive plantings of natives and endemic species.

 There are beautiful boardwalks and viewing platforms, with interpretive signs.

 Sometimes you are lucky enough to see turtles in these crystal clear waters below. And on more than one occasion I have seen pods of whales passing by in the season.

 This sign shows where it is believed Cook and his crew landed, near a place called "The Cord." The Cord is a popular fishing spot, but only for those adventurous enough to negotiate the cliff climb.

 The scene changes dramatically through the day, depending on the position of the sun.

 Even the upgraded and beautifully maintained toilets add to the visitor experience!

 All in all, it is a beautiful place to just sit and feel the peace and ambience.

 The more energetic are able to explore the tracks, to see the views from different angles, and experience the rainforest atmosphere and the birdlife.

 This picture below takes me back to the early seventies, when access to Captain Cook was little more than a more-or-less driveable track. In 1974, when the Queen was to visit for our Captain Cook Bicentenary, the joke that buzzed around the island was that they were planning to tarseal the Captain Cook road so that they could take her Majesty out there. At that time, we had many roads  which had not been tarsealed, and the very idea of tarsealing this one was quite laughable.
But look at it today!
There is even some kerbing and guttering, something that very few other Norfolk roads enjoy.

Now just a few days after our last visit to "Captain Cook" we went to a function/dinner at "Bedrock", a private property just along the cliff, slightly to the north of the Cord and Cook's supposed landing place.

 This is the view from the south...

And here is the same stunning view from "Bedrock."

We count our blessings every day , and say thank you to the good Lord that we live on such a stunningly beautiful island!

SHOWTIME

 Last Monday was one of Norfolk's best annual events - our Agricultural and Horticultural Society's Show!
The island has been somewhat dispirited of late for political and financial reasons.
But as you will see, everyone came out sparkling on Show Day, to demonstrate what a clever and creative community we are, and what a strong spirit of participation we enjoy.
I will mostly just show you some of the pics - I wish I could include more!!

 The Equestrian and Equitation (look it up) events had actually been taking place all weekend, but on the actual day we showcase the kids. Both horses and kids were beautifully groomed for the occasion. Our visiting judge, who has many years of experience all over Australia, reckoned our kids were tops in both skill and attitude!

 This is the only livestock that came to the Show (apart from the horses and chooks) - most are judged on the properties. Not only did this blackfaced lamb prove a great attraction for the kids, but his cage was great for climbing!

 The old Lions Club merry-go-round got its annual airing...

 And our much valued community volunteers were all present....Fire, Volunteer Rescue and St John's Ambulance. Well done guys!!

 There were plenty of attractions for the kids and kids at heart - showbags, Fairy Floss

 And the big inflatable Slippery Slide...

 The chooks are always popular.

 Here is one of the handsome cockerels, for which our island is well known...

And some very pretty pairs of hens...

 We had some entertainment on the verandah just before the Official Opening. That is our local G.P. on the bagpipes!

 The displays in the hall were just wonderful. I usually judge the Needlework, but took a break this year. Barb, who replaced me, had an unenviably difficult job, Who said that knitting was a lost art?

 Lovely tapestries and cross stitch.....

 And a number of very lovely quilts. You want to give them all prizes!

 It has not been a good season for fruits, but you would not know it from these displays! They are all locally grown.

Lovely collections of flowers

 Our island pies never disappoint. Norfolk cooks take great pride in these.

 Beautiful plum puddings...

 A group of nurses from the hospital combined to produce some great entries, including these stunning  cakes.

 There were plenty of great handcrafts, including this cow, who is a mascot for "QuiltNorfolk."

 Look at this stunning fruit and vegetable sculpture!

 These are some of the children's entries in the sandposy section.

 I always love these clever floral displays.

What a wonderful display of local produce!

This won the prize for the biggest yam.

 The photography did not disappoint. Norfolk not only has some great photographers, but also has some very photogenic people living here...

 Our beautiful island hibiscus make great photographic subjects.

 As does our stunning scenery.

 The Dog Obedience Session is always very popular...

 A couple of days after the Show, the Committee and Friends always gather together for a special Show Dinner. There are the inevitable post-mortems, but they are always totally positive. We all agree that it is very satisfying and rewarding to be able to showcase our beautiful island and the skills of our people!