All yorlye kum bak see uklan soon

I think this post heading means 'farewell and come back soon' in Norfolk dialect……and I have a very strong feeling that we will be back ……maybe in 2018?? What an amazing week it has been. The company just sensational - to share a week with like minded quilters is certainly a treasure and it definitely didn't feel like I was "teaching"….whatever that is!! The girls worked very hard and their blocks are all ready for stitching by hand or on their own machines at home……

 Marilyn decided to create a beautiful design to fit the padded box pattern I supplied….only the pattern pages are still sitting at the printer's office at home!! And guarding one of my boxes is the Quilt Norfolk mascot looking very glam………...

 Their mascot even got a well earned massage from Rowena before collapsing in the car ready for home……….

 Rowena, Raewyn and Kay are the most amazing quilt retreat team and I have to say for the record this is one of the best retreats I have ever been on. Nothing is too much trouble and we are well fed and watered and there are even 25 sewing machines supplied at the venue for everyone. Such hard work and after the week they are all ready to be packed up and stored for the next gathering……….

Thankyou so very much to everyone who came……it was a great pleasure and a great honour that you came so far to spend a week with me. From as far away as Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand….thankyou, thank you, thank you. Maybe a reunion in 2018 is in order!……….

And one last look at those beautiful Morris windows………

One evening during the week we joined in on the famous 'fish fry' and what a treat. The sunset was a bonus as were the delightful local girls dancing some tahitian twirls from their heritage……….

 Everything is brought on wheels including tables and chairs and it is all cooked on site……...

 The fish was sensational as was the coconut bread………...

 And the rice and sweet potato with coconut cream…..mmmmmmm…...

 So a final huge thankyou to Rowena, Raewyn and Kay for your incredible kindness and hospitality….you are treasures and we look forward to crossing paths again. We've been called to board our plane home so farewell and lots of hugs xx

Time out on Norfolk

Today has been a lovely day off after two busy days of quilting……well maybe more talking than quilting! It was lovely to have a lie in and plan a quiet day seeing more of this beautiful island. But first a little of the workshop. Just three girls organise it all - even supplying 25 sewing machines, scrumptious lunches and morning and afternoon teas. Here are two of them - Raewyn and Kay working in the kitchen………

 Raewwyn brought in her beautiful version of 'Portiere' entirely appliquéd and quilted by hand……just beautiful. It is always so special to fondle a hand quilted quilt…….

 The venue is very roomy and with 25 participants that is good……..

So our day off started with a visit to find the third organiser Rowena working in the quilt shop…….

And I think she may have arranged this sign hanging out in the street!……..

While in the shop we learnt that their quilting influence resulted in official Norfolk Island stamps….how fantastic is that?………

 While wandering in and out of the shops we noticed quite a few of our quilt group doing some serious retail therapy……

During our time here we have also noticed an awful lot of very large spiders - the Golden Orb and my goodness their web structures are massive……..

So time for our first coffee stop where Mr Hill is looking very relaxed……

Back in the hire car to the highest point of the island for some fabulous views……..

 And then the spot where Captain Cook landed back in 1774. We are not quite sure where he could have possibly landed - there must have been a lot more beach back then……….

 You can see the size of those Norfolk pines towering above the hire car. (We've been driving a black Nissan Tiida Sophie!) 

Our final visit was to visit the historic World Heritage listed Kingston where we stumbled across the locals gathering for a meeting reporting on progress of the visit to the UN to appeal the current government changes….

 The Georgian buildings reminded us of early British settlement……...

 Cemeteries are always quiet places to contemplate how hard life was in the past……….

 Tomorrow greets us with two more days of stitching so I will report on that soon x