Day Three and Four
Wednesday 29th April, 2009
oday was a free day until this evening when we go on our progressive dinner to island homes.
So we got up late (we are finding it harder to get up every day) had our usual substantial breakfast and headed off to explore.
ur first stop was Cascade pier, where we were surprised to find the supply ship offloading onto lighters as we had seen yesterday at Kingston. The wind must have changed but the swell was quite high as the lighters came in, like surfboats. It looks quite tricky.
Very Little Water in Cascade
Mac at the foot of the Cascade
hen we went off on a dirt road to find the waterfall which gives Cascade its name. Bookie warned us that it wasn't much but we found it very picturesque, just a little creek bouncing over a couple of small cascades, then a longer drop down towards the sea. There was a narrow cliff track which I found a little vertiginous, but no harm done.
Higher Cascade
View from Palm Glen
e then headed off for one of the highest points on the island, part of the National Park, where we went on a short walking track to a place called Palm Glen which opened on to a great panoramic view. It was lovely.
Then we headed off for the next highest point, Mt.Pitt, 318metres, where there was a picnic area and viewpoint. You could see almost all around the island, after all it is only 8 x 3 ks around. We had a drink and some crisps and biscuits there and chatted to another carload of tourists who came while we were there. There is some kind of communication tower and a landing light for the airport there but no details of what it was.
oving back towards home we called in at the Botanic Gardens where they had an aviary which purported to contain some NI green parrots (very endangered) but we did not see any. We went down a boardwalked trail but it was a real shame, the plants and trees were completely overrun by morning glory (even worse than our garden at home!) Later however, John Christian told us that the morning glory was a NI native and overran everything naturally so they displayed this characteristic in the Botanic Gardens. Virtue of necessity, I would think!
Came back home fairly bushed again, exercise in the fresh air does this. We relaxed with our books until it was time to get ready for the Progressive Dinner.
Later:
he Prog (as it was designated by the Tourist Info people) was fun. We had four courses: nibbles and sherry, entree, main and dessert all at different homes. We were at places we had seen earlier in the day, lovely homes made of Norfolk pine, one near Cascade, one up in the hills with a view if we could see it. We actually passed it this morning, it had an enormous hollow log outside which we had noticed, and was full of military memorabilia. The lady of the house was a sweet New Guinea lady whose grandfather had been one of the "fuzzy wuzzy angels" at Kokoda. We had a tasty vegie pasta dish for entree there. And Mac met a sweet little cat to pat.
hen on to an ex-restaurant, now a home, called "Cats" for obvious reasons. There were cat things everywhere, ornaments, pictures, posters, everything but the real thing, although our driver told us that she had the biggest black cat he had ever seen. We didn't meet it though. We had roast pork (a bit dry, I thought) with roast vegies and a sing-along around the pianola, finishing with "Memories" from "Cats" appropriately enough.
Then on to a place just around the corner from here for a lovely passionfruit pie and cream with coffee or tea. We were having a talk with the man of the house when the power went off suddenly. We lurched out into the buses and had just got back to where we had left the car when the lights came on again. Came home to find that two couples of our neighbours had been with us unbeknownst.
nyway, so to bed. Another beautiful day and the stars were out tonight as well after a cloudy end to the day. So hopefully it will be another good one tomorrow.
Thursday 30th April, 2009
e had a day clear today so after breakfast we went to see a few things on our own.
We started with the Cyclorama. This is a wonderful and unmissable artistic achievement. It depicts the history of the Mutiny on the Bounty in a circular painting, starting with the Bounty loading at Portsmouth and finishing with the Pitcairn Islanders arriving at Norfolk Island. The work is skilful, beautifully painted, with the perspective drawing you in so that it is almost 3D.
As well as the marvellous artwork it displayed historical photos, lists of crew etc. It was so well done, painted by two women, one a Norfolk Islander and one her partner (as far as I know just in the gallery and the Cyclorama). The NI craft gallery attached to the Cyclorama had lovely pottery and jewellery, pictures and photographs. All in all, one of the best things on Norfolk Island.
End of Two Chimneys Road
fter this, we went down Two Chimneys Road to a lovely viewpoint by the sea, Steele's Point. There are so many of these. I think the bulk of my photos will be rocky shores with turquoise seas breaking.
Cliff Edge, Steele's Point
Tasting Room, Two Chimneys Winery
t about midday we went up the road a short distance to the Two Chimneys Winery. There we met the owners, Rod and Noeline and tasted some wines. Unfortunately not their own, they have not been there long and have only just picked their first crop. They will crush and ferment, bottle etc and Rod says if it is any good they will sell it, if not, he will drink it himself. He can't afford for the first vintage to destroy his reputation. Anyway the wines he chose were all cold-climate wines and to me were a bit sharp.
Mac Relaxes at the Winery
owever, we had lunch on an amazing platter for two created by Noeline who made most of the ingredients. It was as pretty as a picture, garnished with flowers and herbs and containing olives, three cheeses, marinated mushrooms on toast, delicious chicken roll stuffed with dried fruit, beetroot and quince pastes, two kinds of cracker and a selection of tropical fruit. With a glass of semillon it was perfect, not heavy or too filling but a light and delicious lunch. A bit pricy though!
We ate in the sunshine on their verandah overlooking the vines.
fter we left we did some shopping and considered buying something and cooking it here but realised that we would need too many extras. We don't want to have too much left to throw when we leave. So I think we will go for a Chinese tonight.
We went to a restaurant called "Cham cha bom" I think, also called "A Taste of Asia" which had dishes from all over Asia: Thailand, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Canton, India etc.
We decided on a mini banquet consisting of three entree sized dishes, satay chicken, massamun beef and cantonese pork with jasmine rice. Delicious and just the right size.
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