GUMNUTS.....AND OTHER STUFF: Norfolk Island Part 3 of 3

Our last couple of days here and ONLY 4 more organized tours etc to complete.

We get our first 'wet' day, fortunately we were on a bus in the worst of it, even if the roof leaked, so we were kept mostly dry. The rest of the time was spent trying to see the places that were still on our list and revisiting Kingston, which seems to change on every visit.

Although we got to see the supply ship arrive the rough seas stopped it from unloading, so we missed that big occasion on the island.

Then it was time to leave, so it was good-byes to the staff of the resort, who were really fantastic and helpful during our stay. At the airport we were offered up to $300, to cover any expenses, to stay another night as it looked like the plane was going to be over-booked. We declined as we had a taxi booked to pick us up at Sydney, and we didn't feel like unpacking and re-packing for another two 'half' days.

We arrived at Sydney airport............well that's another story that will have to wait.

20th to 22nd

Videos have to be watched on this page
and
click on photos to enlarge.

Breakfast Bushwalk and Clifftop Barbeque

Checking that we get off on time for our 7am bushwalk.

Photo time.

The sap of this tree was used as an ink substitute to document some of the early history of the island.

Catman. (that isn't his golf clubs on the front)

John Christian explains how the native plants were used by the islanders.

Along the track.

Pines in the wild.

Lichen lichen everywhere.

Lichen covered pine.

Breakfast at Anson Bay after the walk.

Our drivers were a happy bunch.

Cook'n breakfast.

Anson Bay

These 2 had a good view of the beach.

I think this is Belenois java, the Caper White Butterfly.

Free Time

In other words..........no dogs allowed on the beach.

They found evidence of a deserted Polynesian settlement under the row of pine trees at Emily Bay.
Polynesian settlement of the area is thought to have occurred between AD 1200 and AD 1600.

Some colour in a rock pool.

Rock runner.

Stonework directing a stream from Government House to Emily Bay.

This 'Salt House', built in 1846, is one of the most intact examples in Australia.
The salt was used to preserve meat, the daily ration for a convict in 1846 was:
1 pound of salt meat. 1 1/2 pound of maize meal, 1ounce of sugar and 1/2 once of salt.

Lime kiln. Convicts would enter through the hole at the base
to remove the lime after processing.

Sirius Museum- Housing nationally significant artefacts from the
Flag Ship of the First Fleet HMS Sirius, wrecked at Kingston in 1790.

The cargo ship Norfolk Guardian waiting off the Gun Club until the seas abate so it can unload.

Misty rain blocks out Mt Bates and Mt Pitt.

Christian (Xtian) Brothers Cheese Tour

The strings were made of fishing line. (looks like the tub of filler's eyes weren't the best)

We visited a ukulele factory.

John Christian, bus driver/ guide/ dairyman/ marine scientist/ cheese maker tells his story.

Some Xtian Brothers Cheeses, tangy feta, creamy blue and a tempting camembert.

Progressive Dinner

Norfolk Pine put to good use at home on progressive dinner.

Dessert time.

Goat Cheese and Pottery Tour

Emily shows us her goats at the Hilli Goat cheese farm.

Walking from the cheese farm to the pottery.

The 'Hilli Goat' Pottery, Norfolk Island.

Morning tea at Anson Bay. Because of this particular driver/guide/actor's
sense of humour, my visit to Norfolk was that so much better.

Walking through the Banyan Fig tree.

This is all one tree.

When the roots of the Banyan Fig tree reach the ground they eventually become
new trunks, and this is how the tree spreads.

A visit to the chocolate shop.

This is the poster from the front counter.

The group from this trip.

Lynn hangs on going down the steep hill to Ball Bay.

Ball Bay

Free Time

Some local flora and a yummy weed, the guava (top right).

The Morten Bay Fig is not native to the island.

Creswell Bay.

A rock pool at Creswell Bay.

Fishing at Creswell Bay.

Hanging On. A pine at Creswell Bay.

The walkway from Creswell Bay.

Two bush foods, taro and bananas, growing wild at Creswell Bay.

I hope you appreciate that I risked my life to take this photo.

The cargo ship off the coast near Puppy's Point

The water was a nice colour.

The two major trees of the island, Norfolk Island Hibiscus and Norfolk Pine.

Crysal clear water.

Floating

The cargo ship Norfolk Guardian, built in 1987, which brings most of the
things needed on the island.

Afternoon tea at Cyclorama in Queen Victoria's Garden.

Queen Victoria's Garden

And the lady herself.

Plants in Queen Victoria's Garden.

Views of Kingston.

Shaped by the wind.

Views of Kingston.

'Bloody' Bridge, where a convict gang murdered their
overseer and walled him up in the bridge during its construction.
The next day the replacement overseer saw blood oozing from the mortar.