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Published: June 26th 2022
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This morning Kevin continued looking over the island in his hire car.
I took a 4wd tour of some sites around the island. We visited Flagstaff for a view over the cliffs. We saw a felled Norfolk Island pine and you could see the dissection of it which showed the hollowness of the trunk. A good indication as to why they are not used as telegraph poles.
Simon’s Water, the last 50 acre grant, almost at the end of Stockyard Road, has been a part of Norfolk Island’s history since the earliest convict days. In the first Penal Settlement, it was granted to a free settler, Daniel Standfield, who grew wheat and kept sheep there. There is a deep convict-built well on the land which is still used today.
After the Pitcairners arrived in 1856, the land was granted to Simon Young. Simon and his wife and children went back to Pitcairn after a few years. The name “Simon’s Water” was first used for the waterfall and creek at the other end of the property from the road. Now people call the whole place “Simon’s Water”.
Eventually, after Simon died, the land was bought by the Buffett
family and there was an old house there until about 1967. You can still see the old chimney next to the shed and flat.
Today, Simon’s Water is owned by Bernie Christian-Bailey. It is used for farming. Vegetables and Coffee are grown, and cattle, horses and pigs are kept there. There is a sign near the gate inviting visitors to walk across the land and enjoy the lovely native trees and the views of the sea. Near the cliff there is a seat which was placed there in 2006 to celebrate the visit to the island by some of Simon Young’s descendants who now live in Tahiti.
We had morning tea and was given a demonstration of the art of weaving that is still used to make hats etc on the island.
In the afternoon we went for a delicious High Tea at Forresters. The idea for High Tea came from the owners' now deceased father. On a visit to London ( to celebrate the Queen's 80th birthday along with others who shared her birthday from around the Commonwealth) he was taken to High Tea. He decided that it would be a good thing to
do on Norfolk and so it was. Fantastic.
The High Tea is served on the magnificent cliff top lawns overlooking Cascade Bay. Perfect for a special occasion or purely looking for self-indulgence. We thoroughly enjoyed this food experience at the best waterfront location on Norfolk Island. We received a glass of bubbles on arrival, followed by a delicious selection of 9 savoury and sweet items, a pot of tea/coffee and finished with a tasting of locally distilled liqueurs.
Back to the hotel for dinner and packing.
Saturday. Our final day
After breakfast we packed up and checked out. We walked into town to fill in some time and bought some patchwork fabrics. We came back for morning tea , said goodbye to everyone and then off to the airport and home.
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