THE OUTRIGGER CANOES

Bernie and I went down to the Kingston pier the other morning, because we had heard that the new outrigger canoes were coming off the ship.

 The seas were good, and there was a great deal of excitement, because the island has been waiting for the new canoes to come from Fiji, where they were made. On board thre ship, they first had to be unpacked from the container, because we cannot handle containers here.

 Here is the first lot coming ashore.

 Outriggers are a reminder of the Polynesian ancestry of the Norfolk Islanders. Their forbears would have used them in the past.

 When Commandent King first came to Norfolk in 1788, there were remnants of at least one outrigger found on a beach, evidence of Polynesian visits to the island before white men came.

 Snoop (Glen) operating the crane.

 Norfolk Island will hold its first International Outrigger events in January.

 Bernie, John and Charles are sponsoring one of these canoes - I wonder which one is ours?

 This shows how they lash two lighters together to carry bulky cargo.

 There were lots of people taking pictures

 And plenty of visitors and tourists watched the operations from the viewing area back from the pier.

 Greg and our Peter were there to lend a hand on behalf of the Outrigger Club.

 Meanwhile, three supersize telegraph poles (the biggest ever) had arrived, and it took a great deal of skill and dexterity to get them aboard the lorry and secure them.

 Here comes the second load of canoes, including some smaller ones for the young ones to train in.

 You really have to take your hats off to these guys!

 The lighterage boys donated their time free to unload the canoes - what a great Norfolk gesture!

Meanwhile, Jonathon's "drone" filmed everything from above. How amazing!

 Then last night there was an official "blessing" of the canoes at "At Random" where they will be stored for a while.

 Fasiu, who originally came from Rotuma, one of the Polynesian islands in Fiji, carried out the more formal part of the ritual blessing.

Then our Damien, who has been one of the main movers in getting this enterprise going, spoke of the history of the outrigger and its importance to our people. The special tool he is holding was a precious gift from the crew of the "Haunui" which called here a few weeks ago.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

 James is now 5 months old, and ready to sample some grown-up food! He has already tried avocado and banana.

 There was a dish of pawpaw from Simons Water on the table, so that was worth a try!

 Ooh! What's this Mum?

 Yes, I'll try it...

 Just give me a minute to roll it round my mouth and see if I like it...

Still not sure about it Mum.....

 I think I like it.......

 OK, I'll have some more....

 I guess I'll get used to it......

But it may take some time.....

Hey Dad, guess what I have been eating.....

SLEEPY CATS

These pictures can speak for themselves, but here re our two very spoiled felines in a relaxed mood.

For cats, any container or box will do, no matter what it is really meat for. Sylvie is no exception when it comes to finding unusual places. I might add that I keep sewing things in this box, and the lid actually has pins and needles in it.

Meanwhile, Mr Shingles shares a favourite chair with Bernie, but he usually has to wait until Bernie vacates it!

Yawning....

One thing you will never find is Mr Shingles and Sylvie curling up together. They hate each other. But they do choose to forget that they are enemies when I am watching TV. Sylvie sleeps in my lap, and Mr Shingles rests draped over my shoulder! I must get Bern to take a picture!

CHAPEL QUILT

It was nearly 5 moths ago that Quilt Norfolk had one of their wonderful quilt retreats here. On this occasion, Michelle Yeo came from Australia and taught patterns and techniques for producing a quikt based on our wonderful St Barnabas' Mission Chapel.

The blocks were based on the stained glass Rose window, on the floor tiles, and on the carved Mother pf pearl insets in the end of the pews

The ladies who came - about 15 from Australia and New Zealand - brought a beautiful selection of fabrics. I had recommended to Michelle that some William Morris reproductions would be suitable, because he had made the Rose Window.

Here are the quilts that Michelle had made in preparation.

Not a good photo, but this was just stunning!

 I had wondered how Michelle would interpret the Celtic and Melanesian designs in the ends of the pews...

What  beautiful border fabric!

 Here is one student's interpretation. I love it.

 And another.....more subtle colourings, but very effective.

 This lady did her own thing with the colours, but it looked really great!

Here are some pictures of Michelle's quilts in the Chapel itself.

 This picture shows the beautiful marble tiloes at the front of the church. The marble came from Devon.

Years ago, I dreamed of making a quilt based on our Chapel. I am glad someone else has been inspired to do it!