GOOD THINGS COME TO NORFOLK ISLAND

Lots of good things have come to Norfolk Island this week.

On Sunday morning, a lovely little DC3 landed on our strip. It was in beautiful condition and evoked many nostalgic memories!

Just before that, the Air New Zealand 737 had come in, bringing a number of VIP visitors.

The most important one was The Queen's Baton - and see who were the first to hold it when it came out of Customs! None other than Nate and Liam and another lucky little boy!

Later that day, the baton visited the Coffee Shop where our daughter Miriam was catching up with friends. (We should add that Miriam and daughter Emily had been on the plane that morning too, along with Kim's New Zealand family.)

But there was an eve more exciting visitor came to the Nakamal last Saturday night. There was a great spirit of anticipation among the children... the word had got out that Father Christmas was coming to the party....

 What direction would he come from and how would he arrive?

 Look - what's that? A bit hard to see in the dark!!

 It looks like Father Christmas!!!

 Right over the roof of John's shed and the Nakamal...

 And he landed right at the feet of a very amazed group of kids!

 Greetings for everyone from the North Pole! And a couple of big sacks of presents...

 For all the kids, big and small!

 Good bye Father Christmas....we wonder what form of transport you will choose next year.

 For the curious grown ups - a glimpse behind the scenes! Thanks Snoop and all involved!

HEART HANGERS

 We have a lovely group of ladies here on Norfolk Island who have formed themselves into a special group called "QuiltNorfolk". Twice a year they organise quilt retreats on the island for keen quilters. There is a smaller workshop in April for about 15-20 people, and a larger one in October for 60 or more. Participants come from both Australia and New Zealand, and they bring in great tutors to teach and inspire in a variety of workshops.
For the past couple of years, I have been commissioned to produce a little something for gift bags.
Because they get a number of repeat participants, I have to think of something different each time. This time I made 60 little heart hangers.

 The centrepiece of each hanger is a fabric reproduction of a stamp that was produced here a few years ago, It shows the quilting hands of a dear friend Robyn, who was the wife of the island's administrator at the time.

 I made the hearts from cotton batting, which is a lovely medium to work with.

 The usual lace, buttons and ribbons were put to good use!

 I hope the ladies like their little hearts, and keep them as a memento of their creative time on Norfolk Island!

BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY

I have to say that now we are getting older, one of the joys and delights in our life is to be surrounded by children.

 Not only do we have Liam (6)and Nate (3) living right behind us, but we often have their friends and rellies and the Ni-Van children playing happily on our front lawn.....

 Or in our house........

 Or up in the Nakamal.......

 We feel so blessed!

 They are always riding the bikes and trikes, or climbing the trees, or sitting telling stories, or getting up to all the sorts of things that kids like to do. 

 We see a lot of the 'older' young people too, and they are always such good company with their fresh outlook.

 Last week we had a get-together to celebrate SIX birthdays. There was Traydon (3), Ben (8),Devenie (18), Peter and Kim (both 38) and George (40). 

 As usual there was a real feast of food

 And THREE birthday cakes, all of them with everyone's name on!

 Our Fijian friend Losana supervised the lighting of the candles - several times, because everyone has to have a turn at blowing them out!

 Birthday cakes are a real magnet for the little kids.

 Betty cut the cakes. You would be surprised how much was eaten, because lots of people wanted to sample them all!

 Nate and Liam said it was good!

 Later in the evening we went up to the Nakamal, to warm up by the fire. and heat up some more food.

 Then Caspar turned up. As you can see, Caspar is a very big dog! He made himself at home, and enjoyed the warmth of the fire along with Digby and Roany.

Now we call him Caspar the Culprit, because for the last couple of years he has been coming round at night and stealing the chair cushions off our front verandah. Sometimes we find them up the driveway or next door.

 But some of them have completely disappeared. His owners say he sometimes turns up home with cushions, but unfortunately not ours!

 It was such a happy evening, with all ages mixing together with a lovely family feeling.

 When we have an evening at the Nakamal, we always feel as if we have had a little holiday...even though we have only been a few metres from home!