DAY 6 - NORFOLK ISLAND....

Day 6 – Thursday 9^th JANUARY 2020.

Finally, a good night sleep.  We were up by 7.30am and I headed straight out to put a load of washing on…. I wanted to have it pegged out on the line before we left this morning.  Kathy had a bit of a sleep in as she had a bit of a disturbed night and was awake quite early.  She read for a while and then fell back asleep.

Endangered Norfolk Island Green Parrot

 We were pretty blessed this morning to actually get a photo of the endangered Norfolk Island Green Parrot.  We had seen them the previous two mornings in the bushland beside the house and have since found out that it was originally found throughout  Norfolk Island (to which it is endemic), it vanished from much of its range until by 1908 it was restricted to forest around Mount Pitt in the northwestern corner of the Island. (which is where we are staying).

Once a common species, the Norfolk Island green parrot numbers had dwindled to under 50 birds by the late 1970s.  Lots of thing contributed to the decline of it's numbers, including habitat loss particularly of the large old trees that had suitable hollows for breeding.  Rats and cats also contributed to it's demise by killing of eggs and the young birds.

In 1983 a captive breeding program was commenced.  Although it was not successful, it sparked interest in the bird's fate in the people of Norfolk Island.   Then between 1987 and 2000, a real concerted effort to reduce the rat and cat populations by trapping and construction of nesting boxes designed to keep out rats actually increased parrot numbers with the construction of nesting boxes designed to keep our rats increased the parrot numbers.   We had spoken to one of the bus drivers on one of our tours and he told us that he had been on the island for 8 years before he spotted his first parrot.  You can image how blessed we felt to have spotted it three days in a row and then on the last day we saw it we managed to actually photograph it as well..

Of course the hibiscus on Norfolk Island complimented my shirt today so had to have some photos taken with them..

We got away around 9.45am and headed in to check out St Barnabas’s Church.   The mission church, St Barnabas Chapel, was built as a memorial to Bishop Patterson who was killed by natives in the Solomon Islands in 1871.  The foundation stone was laid in November 1875 but the building was not completed until June 1880. The chapel is built of stone from the ruins of the New Gaol.

Typical roads on Norfolk Island

 The four windows in the apse depict the four evangelists, the seats are carved and inlaid with Christian symbols in mother-o'-pearl, polished black and white marble paves the broad aisle leading to the sanctuary, which is the most beautiful portion of the chapel, with it's coloured marble floor, and glittering mosaic reredos screened with richly-carved wood.  In the centre is a massive silver cross that has been made out of Bishop Patteson's own table silver, and this is flanked by silver candlesticks and vases of flowers...

Beautiful stained glass windows at St. Barnabas Church in Norfolk Island

Matthew

Mark

Jesus

Luke

John

The beautiful inlaid mother-o'-pearl seats....

 Beautiful marble floor...

Baptismal font is also made from marble

Beautiful inlaid marble floors

It is a beautiful old church with lots of beautiful timber used in the church.  The interior is made from Norfolk pine (the roof), kauri and other lovely wood.    This magnificent church is evocative of its maritime history with the hull-shaped roof and exhibits many examples of fine crafting in the fittings and fixtures.


The church has lots of nature breathe ways which allows air to constantly flow through the church. The windows are beautiful, particularly the west window which was made by William Morris in Surrey England. 

Amazing timber ceilings - hull shaped like a boat...

  It is very photographic, both inside and outside.  Externally, there is also much to appreciate: the beautifully symmetrical lines of the building; the re-located old grave stones; the monstrous Morton bay fig; and, the views down the valley.

Beautiful views looking down into the valley...

We spent some time in there admiring the craftsmanship before taking a wander around the gardens and checking out the giantnous Moreton Bay Fig going in the grounds.  There is also a small cemetery there.  We were fortunate enough to be able to listen in on a small tour that went through the church whilst we were there.



From here we decided to head down to Cascade Pier to see if the cruise ship had come in and to watch the passengers come ashore.  This is a very big thing for the island and there were quite a few people down there checking it all out.

One of the tender boats bringing passengers ashore.

The cruise ship has arrived on Norfolk Island...

The cross over by the tender boats.

The tour companies are there ferrying passengers into town and around the island...

 It looks like even the fishing charter company had passengers out fishing.... It arrived back whilst we were there..

 As Norfolk Island’s economy is based on tourism, these Cruise ships coming in bring lots of income to the Island, without taxing the resources of the island too much.  All the tour companies had cancelled the tours on the island to accommodate the passengers from the cruise ship and ferry them around town.  We were pretty happy to be part of this exciting day with them all.

From here we decided to explore some new roads again today and head up Harper’s Road to Prince Phillip Drive.  We drove up to the Lookout where we got some splendored views of the cruise ship just off the island.  

We then went in to check out the Cockpit Falls.  Unfortunately, due to the lack of rain, the falls are not really running at present but again we got some pretty splendored views of the countryside, cliffs and the cruise ship.

Cows everywhere

Ferrel chooks also roam the island

 Heading out to check out Cockpit falls..

 We then went in to check out the Cockpit Falls.  Unfortunately, due to the lack of rain, the falls are not really running at present but again we got some pretty splendored views of the countryside, cliffs and the cruise ship. 

 

  It was a pretty steep decent to the bottom, but I tackled it and I made it. This is something that I doubt I would have been about to do six months ago.  Again, we got a bird’s eye view of the cruise ship docked off the coast. 

 After leaving here we continued our journey on new roads which took us up into the National Park where we could have gone for a bush walk along the Pine Glen Track. It was almost lunch time, so it wasn’t an option for us to do today.  At the moment we are trying to conquer as many roads as we can so that we have covered all roads on the island before we leave.  

It's interesting to see what they use for fences back here...

Imagine having a driveway like this..

 Also, it was lunch time, and we were all feeling a little peckish so decided that today we would try out “The Homestead” for lunch.  We went here 15 years ago when we were on the island last and the meal was outstanding…

Apparently, “The Homestead” has been closed for many years and has only just reopened about 10 weeks ago.  It was all very nice, probably a little pricey for what we got and definitely not as good as “Hilli’s the other day, but we did still enjoy the meal and we definitely enjoyed the surroundings…..Would we go back probably not this visit.  

Steve and I shared a meal once again and ordered the Chicken, Banana flower, cashew and chilli Jam Salad as our meal.  Kathy ordered the same and Ian ordered the Smoked fish, Caesar, sourdough crumb, egg and prosciutto salad and he really enjoyed his.   We also ordered an entrée of Duck liver pate, fig jam, rocket and sourdough.  

Once we had finished the meal, we decided to check out the magnificent Morton Bay Fig trees and the 100 Acre Woods which this area of the island is famous for.  The root system of the fig trees are amazing… Massive, huge and in parts just as tall as I am.  We climbed all over them to get some great photos…

As we were heading down to check the trees out we saw these massive spiderwebs and spiders.  I have never seen a web like this one...

These majestic Moreton Bay fig trees are believed to be over 200 years old and they are located along Headstone Road.  The massive roots above the ground are a popular spot for taking holiday photos and we sure took our share of them here also..

 Ian and Kathy were feeling a little tired by now and were keen to go home for a nap, so we decided to drop them off and then head back into town to pick up a couple of groceries and also to go and check out Pete’s Place to buy a couple of ice bricks to use with the esky.  Steve just loves this shop, they sell EVERYTHING, and I mean everything from highlighters, to clothes, linen, car parts… you know it they can source it…

Pete's Place where they sell everything..

 

Once we had picked up the couple of things we needed, we headed into the Mall to the supermarket to pic up the few groceries on our list.  I waited in the car whilst Steve quickly went in.

Cruise ship gone and the tender boats on back on dry land....

We weren’t in a real hurry to head hone, so we thought we would go for a drive around to the Cascade Pier to see if the Cruise Ship was still docked.  I think we were really hoping that we might catch them bringing the tender boat back on shore.  We arrived them a little after 4.15pm and there was no sign of the Cruise ship and the Tender boats were already ashore and on their trailers near the old whaling station. The cruise ship must have left earlier this time..

 After taking a couple of photos we decided to head home.  We took the old road past St Barnabas Home as I wanted some photos of the beautiful valley along this stretch of the road…. Stunning countryside.  I also wanted a photo of a very unique tree that we drove past every day. It has s character.. I remember taking photos of it last time I was here, and it will be good to compare them now.  

On the way home we decided to drive into Puppy’s Point and check out the scenery… Spectacular would be a good word to describe it, so beautiful that we decided then and there to bring Ian and Kathy back for afternoon tea one afternoon before we head home…

 By the time we got back to the house, they were already up and enjoying a cup of tea and their piece of carrot cake.  Whilst they did that,  Steve took some photos of the birds in our back yard whilst I packed the picnic hamper with a good bottle of wine, glasses for us all, and cheese and crackers as we had decided to end the day by sitting on a clifftop at Anson Bay having a wine with some great cheese and crackers and a glass of wine of course…

Ian was driving this afternoon, and on our way back out to Anson Bay, Ian decided to do a bit of a detour and go and check out a headland on Fisherman’s Lane.  Brilliant Idea I would say.   These seems to be a breeding ground for Gannets and Mutton Birds.  Again, we were able to enjoy the most amazing scenery.  It doesn’t matter where you go on Norfolk Island the views are amazing.

Duncombe Bay

The Gannetts are breeding here

Wind swept trees...

Steve and Kathy both climbed over a stye to wander over the headlands and they were delighted to find several Gannets with babies.   Steve got some awesome photos of the mother Gannett feeding her babies, and also some of the leaning trees which are prevalent on this part of the coastline…

Terns nesting in the trees at Anson Bay

 From here we headed back to Anson Bay, where Steve and Ian turned the picnic table around so that we both could sit at it and both would get an excellent view of Anson Bay.  We probably spent a good hour here enjoying the beautiful summer breezes and the amazing views of the bay and enjoying our wine and nibbles.   

It's a bit nippy up here on the hill...

It was after 7pm by the time we got home, and we still had dinner to cook.  We had another feed of the fish for dinner.  Steve bought home enough fish from his fishing trip to feed us for at least 5 meals.

We retired pretty early this evening as we had to be up very early in the morning to be down at “Sweeties” by around 8.45am ready to board the bus to be ready for our 4x4w Drive adventure around the island the following morning….