Saturday, July 2, 2011

A lil bit o kulcha never ert no-one's

This afternoon we would invite you to join us as we gaze in awed delight at the precious artefacts held in the Pier Store Museum. With a bit of luck and a fair breeze, Madam Curator, Lisa Richards, will never ever see this blog!

First is a short spin on the wheel. Trying to imagine turning a huge sailing ship with a small bronze wheel is a very difficult thing to imagine. Jai thought he would have a go, to see just what it's like.

Now here he's pointing out some tapa cloth that the Pitcairn women used to make by pounding the plant fibres of a special tree. Miralda Warren is visiting Norfolk from Pitcairn Island. Miralda is a world expert on tapa making. If you follow the pointing finger you can see a magnificent sample in the background.

Now this is really something. On the wall is a reproduction of a drawing of Fletcher Christian of HMAV Bounty fame. Now Christian and his Polynesian wife, Mauatua begat Charles who in turn begat Maria, thus being grand-daughter of Fletcher. She married Mathew Quintal's grandson and they begat Olive Macey Quintal. He begat Laurie (Dossie) who begat Laurie (Dottie) who begat Joy, who begat Maree, who begat Jai, who is standing there in the Norfolk Island Museum looking at the sketch of his great, great .... oh never mind.

These are all tools from the days of whaling on Norfolk Island. Big Pop who had the privilege and the pleasure of dining out with Master Jai, a couple of hours beforehand, had been one of the men of the whaling days and has fascinating stories to tell.

And last but not least is the cannon. Jai was particularly pleased to have his photo taken beside this. I think Pirates of the Caribbean would do well in this here Museum. Particularly, Johnny Depp!

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