Wintery weekends

Yes, we were back in Melbourne and it certainly was winter.  After our two weeks of reasonably mild weather on Norfolk Island it was time to don the coats, scarves and gloves once more as the temperature plummeted.

Our first trip out was mid week when we joined Mum for dinner one night at the Chelsea RSL.  We had a lovely night and a yummy meal as usual.  

The following weekend was our Queens Birthday weekend and we had planned to take the camper to Sale but our plans were thwarted by my back going out on Friday morning and then again on Saturday.  To say it was very sore was an understatement and I spent the weekend being looked after by Bill and some strong painkillers.  At least when I returned to work my enforced rest had helped and an exercise regime from the Physio worked wonders and I was ready to get out again by the next weekend.

On Friday night we met friends for dinner at Da Noi's in South Yarra.  We had a fabulous night with Ben and Jennifer and enjoyed a wonderful degustation menu, made even more exciting as we were seated by the open fire where the suckling pig was being roasted.  And when it arrived a few hours later it tasted amazing.  

The next weekend we were up bright and early to meet Jill and Grant who were coming to stay for a few days.  We spent the morning catching up on each others news before going our separate ways.  They were off to the footy to see the Adelaide Crows play and Bill and I headed up to the markets to buy food for dinner that night.  Back at home we had a great night with dinner, a bottle of wine and lots of laughs before turning in for a well earned rest.   

The next morning started at home, moved on to the South Melbourne markets, caught the tram to St Kilda where we checked out the Esplanade markets and Luna Park before finding a nice little cafe on Acland St for lunch.  Returning home we spent the afternoon relaxing before going 'Downstairs' for their Sunday night roast.  It was yummy and much later it was back upstairs and time for bed for all four of us. Bill and I were off to work the next morning but Jill and Grant had a day of shopping planned before catching a plane home that evening.  It was lovely to see them both again and we look forward to their next visit.

Almost in the blink of an eye another week had passed and we were welcoming another friend to stay on Friday night.  Robyn was here from Brisbane and we had a great night catching up on the last few years.  Yes, it had been a while!  The next morning we walked around the corner to take a look at 'The Block'.  It looks all finished now and is just waiting for the big auction day in a few weeks.  It certainly is an amazing transformation from the ugly old motel that it started out as.

We continued walking up to South Melbourne for Robyn to check out the market and try one of the famous South Melbourne Dim Sims before catching the tram into town for the next item on her 'must do' list.  A hot chocolate at Chocolait in the Royal Gala arcade.  It was delicious and we sat a while enjoying a little time in chocolate heaven before walking home for Robyn to be picked up for the next phase of her weekend.  Family time with her cousins.  

Bill and I spent a quiet afternoon before rugging up at 5.30 and heading back to Federation Square where we watched the last performance of 'Singing up the Helix Tree'.  As part of The Light in Winter celebrations throughout June a tree like structure had been erected in the middle of the square and each night a choir sang around it.  As they sang the 'tree' lit up and changed colour according to the sound.  It was a pretty sight and we watched for a while before moving on to Chinatown for a yummy dinner at Ants.

The next couple of very chilly weeks flew by and we hibernated at home so Bill could recover from a cold he had picked up on one of his flights from Sydney.  The upside was we watched the Bombers play and win two weeks in a row.  And we stayed warm while we watched from the comfort of our couch.  

Walking through Australia on Collins one morning on my way to work I had a moment of inspiration.  The beach balls from summer had been replaced with balls of wool for their winter theme and so my next stop was to Clegs where I bought the required supplies to knit a jumper for the cold weather. So I was able to keep busy during the chilly nights and the quiet weekends at home.  It is all finished now and I just have to sew it up.

After two weekends at home and another busy week at work we decided that we had been in long enough and walked up to South Melbourne on Friday evening for dinner at The Blue Room.  It was a very tasty pizza and it was nice to be out again after our couple of weeks of rest and recuperation.

On Saturday morning we drove to Caulfield to pick up the camper from Al.  It had been in for a service during the colder weather.  Once we deposited it back in the storage facility we went on to Chelsea where we had some lunch before calling in to visit Mum for the afternoon.  While driving home the rain started and looked like setting in so once back home we settled in for the night, ate the last of the pumpkin soup in the freezer and watched a couple of old movies before calling it a night and retreating to a very warm bed.

The next day I left Bill at home while I braved the city for the last day of the sales.  The Myer Manchester dept. was a madhouse but I got the towels I wanted so happy with that.  Next stop was Woolworth's supermarket to pick up the ingredients for dinner that night before catching the tram home and making said dinner.  Cauliflower Soup with Parmesan and it was delicious, even if I do say so myself.

And so after our few weeks of chilly winter weather and our more home based adventures it is time to hit the road again.  Time to check out www and see where can go next week.  I'll let you know once we do.

Until then........

Rainy day adventures.....

For most of our trip the weather was mild with just the odd shower, however on the weekend a slow moving front came across from NSW and the rain set in for most of Saturday and Sunday.  It was during this time that we had a little unwanted adventure with hire car no 1.  We decided that we could still drive around and look and hoped the rain might stop soon and it was in this weather that we came to a previously unexplored road to Crystal Pool, another spot on the coast said to be worth a look.   

Coming to a junction and being such a 'good' navigator I sent Bill to the left instead of the right and we ended up in Bumboras, the next bay round.  This is apparently the steepest hill on the island and totally impassable when wet.  Yes, there was a sign, so now it was Bill's fault and not all mine.   You guessed it, we got down but could not get back up.  We tried three times to my absolute terror, though Bill assures me I was never in any danger, and finally had to admit defeat and walk back up to the top where Duncan and Gaewyn met us and took us home.  We had rung them to ask what we should do and they very kindly came to get us.  We thought we may have a problem just abandoning the hire car but even that seemed not to phase anyone.  They delivered us a new one later that afternoon and collected our first one on Monday once the road had dried out.  Imagine that happening anywhere else!  And no, we did not go back down that road ever again, wet or dry!  Nor do we have any pictures of the event.

While the rain continued to fall we decided that indoor pursuits might be the go and our first stop was to the wonderful 'World of Norfolk' exhibit.  This is a photographic exhibition celebrating the essence of Norfolk by photographer Robin Nisbett.  You can lose yourself for hours in the interpretive gallery as you learn all about this truly magical place with not just pictures but sounds as well.  

Another truly wonderful place to visit is the Cyclorama at the Guava Gallery.  This stunning and realistic 360 deg artwork tells the story of Fletcher's Mutiny and the beginning of the Pitcairn and Norfolk communities.  This amazing work painted by two local artists, one a descendant of mutineer, Matthew Quintal, enthralls everyone who sees it.  It certainly is a fabulous way to learn all about the Norfolk Islanders rich history.  

While here the Guava Gallery is worth visiting and enjoying the beautiful art work from local artists and yes, some of it made its way home with me.  The unusual pot stand made from Hii Hii shells is quite unique and the beautiful glass dish depicting the lovely little Tern will hold pride of place on my shelf for many years to come.

While here we visited the beautiful Queen Victoria's gardens where we found the 8 sided rotunda with a bust of Queen Victoria in the centre.  This memorial tells the story of how in 1855, the elders on Pitcairn Island wrote to Queen Victoria, humbly begging for help.  In one of the most generous gestures in the Empire's history, she offered them Norfolk Island.  They accepted and the rest as they say is history.  Inside the rotunda each of the eight sides has the names of the families relocated here. Thomas, Quintal, Young, Christian, Adams, Buffett, McCoy and Evans.

The entrance to the rotunda is flanked by two kentia palms, said to be Queen Victoria's favourite plant.   These palms are found all over the island and have also been a huge cash crop over the years.  Not so much in demand today there is still evidence of the plantations that have helped shape Norfolk Island.

Other places we found while driving around were the Longridge Arches, once part of the old  Penal Colony from the second settlement.  Unfortunately we couldn't find much more information on this so it will remain one of life's mysteries.

The remains of the Salt House overlooking Emily Bay, Slaughter Bay and the Lone Pine is another historic location and on this day we just escaped before the rain hit.

Before leaving on Friday we had one last Devonshire Tea at Hilli's and I have to say that I think theirs is the best one on the island.  The guava jelly is yummy and I have bought a jar to bring home so let's hope I can get it through customs.  They assure me I can.

And so I think it is here that I shall finish my stories of Norfolk Island.  Both Bill and I have had a wonderful time in this delightful little part of the world.  We absolutely loved every moment of our stay here (well, maybe not the steep hill in the rain) and are so glad that we made the journey to this little dot in the South Pacific.  Hopefully I have inspired someone else to visit somewhere different next time they want a new adventure.

The flight back to Sydney was great, the flight from Sydney to Melbourne full and slow as we had to lose some time as Melbourne Airport was having some weather issues.  Still we made it home safe and sound and five minutes after we arrived back to our apartment we had the heaviest rain and biggest thunderstorm I have seen since last winter.  The lightning was amazing and I'm so glad we were not landing in this.

We had the weekend to gather our thoughts and then it was back to work on Monday. Retirement sure looks good on these days but then I remember there is somewhere else we want to go and the pay packet will surely help.

Oh well, until next time..........

Norfolk Island Hospitality....

While on the island we found everyone to be so friendly and every where we went we were welcomed like an old friend.  Most cafes in town are only open until 4pm each day so what do you do for dinner if you don't want to cook.

There are some amazing places to eat and we went to three of them.  We went back to Hilli's on Saturday night and again enjoyed a lovely meal and wonderful friendly service.  

Another night we visited Norfolk Blue.  This is a beautiful restaurant in an old homestead on the original 100 acre farm.  It is here that they breed the 'Norfolk Blue' cattle all descended from Dr Blue Suit said to have been brought to the island over 100 years ago by Gillie Bailey.    Dinner was steak, of course, and it was delicious.  With the owners being your hosts you are guaranteed a wonderful welcome as well.

Another old homestead was Dino's at Bumboras and we had dinner here on our last night.  This property dates back to the 1800's and has been renovated and used as a restaurant since 1992.  Once again a delicious meal and wonderful hospitality.

Another favorite way to dine is to join a Progressive Dinner tour.  You are collected in town at 6pm and then driven to three island homes for entree, main and desert.  At each place you meet the owners who give a bit of a talk about their life in the island.  All are very welcoming and are happy to answer any questions you might have.  We did this dinner during our second week and thoroughly enjoyed the fun night out.

The fish fry at Puppy's Point is another favorite but with very chilly and windy nights we didn't do this. We might have to visit again because it sounded like fun.  

As you drive around during the day there are a few places that do lunch and Devonshire teas.  We found two of these, again, just island homes, offering lovely food and another insight into life on Norfolk Island.  Bedrock was one of these and the house next door to the Silky Oak stables another boasting the 'Best Pot of Tea on the Island'.  We had coffee so cant comment on that. The garden here was lovely too.  

Another favorite cafe where you were treated like an old friend was The Golden Orb.  Yes, named after the spider.  These are a real feature on the island and everywhere you go they are hanging there in their huge webs.  They don't seem to move and even this confirmed arcana phobic got quite used to them just as long as I didn't have to get too close.  Back to the cafe, great coffee, lovely people and a quirky bookshop.

A real highlight was having dinner at Watermill Valley one night.  Before leaving I had met a lady at work one day who lived on Norfolk Island.  When I told her I would be there in a couple of weeks she gave me her phone number and said I must ring her and come for dinner.  We did this and Bill and I had a wonderful night with Pauline and John at their home. Their friends Tony and Theresa joined us for dinner and it was so interesting to hear all about life in this very interesting place.  

Visits to the supermarket, bakery, fish and chip shop, news agents and most other shops were all like visiting friends as people actually talked to you and told you how their day had been.  Something that rarely happens here in our big busy cities.  Every purchase came with a life story but it was a wonderful experience and so lovely to talk to these people.

We have come home with a real feeling of visiting friends not just having a holiday in a remote place.  Each day as we relaxed in our gorgeous unit, we would see our hostess, Gaewyn, who would stop for a quick hello before continuing on with her daily chores.

With tourism being the mainstay of the island I guess all this makes sense but so often you visit places where you really don't feel the welcome mat has been put out.  Norfolk Island is certainly not one of these places.  They love their visitors and make each and every one of them feel very welcome.

Two things stood out making this island such a unique place in my mind.  The first was how clean everything is.  There is absolutely no graffiti anywhere.  The beautiful historic buildings at Kingston are in pristine condition and it was so lovely to be able to find toilets around the island, and whether in the National Parks or the town centre they were all spotless with no hint of spray paint, textas or carvings hacked into the doors and walls.   

The second was how polite and well mannered all the young people were.  Children and teenagers were a pleasure to meet and talk to with not one ounce of attitude or rudeness.   I guess if everyone knows who you are you would be found out pretty quick if you did get up to mischief.  Still it made a pleasant change from day to day encounters in the big smoke.  

Think I'm sounding a bit old here.   Until next time......