Tuesday – bays, beaches and funny named rocks

The nights at this place are incredible.  Maybe it’s the ocean air – maybe it’s being totally relaxed – or maybe it’s the wildlife letting us know they are still around.

We have had the pleasure of one of our bovine friends serenading us in the middle of the night.  I think bossy was just letting us know that everything was OK while she was on guard. I thought it was a hoot and so did IT1 – but IT3 was not impressed and kept telling her to shut up.  Not very friendly I must say – but then again bossy was not under my window singing away! Us other two tried to stifle our laughter in the pillows but I don’t think it worked.

Here is another view of our house.  The two windows at the front are two of the bedrooms.  Window on the left is the 2nd bedroom (mine) and the one on the right is IT1’s with the spa!  IT3’s room is behind mine going to the front of the house. Did I say this place was fabulous?  Ok, ok, you don’t have to yell!

Today we plan on a bit more exploring – so after our breakfast on the deck, a lounge around our conservatory and the usual shower we make ready and head off for town keeping in mind that morning tea will be at the Tropicana of course.  After our morning indulgence we head across the Island to Puppys Point. I don’t know why it is called Puppys Point but it is another place of incredible beauty.  A favourite spot with local fishermen (so we are told) we decide that a good idea would be to get some rolls and fillings and come up here for lunch one day.  The views of Flat Rock and Anson Bay with the shimmering blue ocean are a photographers dream.

The sun is shining and we stay here for quite some time just admiring everything in sight. Looking at the map we decide to keep on heading north up the left side of the island and then around to the Captain Cook Monument.

Unfortunately no-one wants to leave this magic spot so we just continue to sit around and listen to the ocean hitting the rocks below. We then think it is time to move so we venture further up the coast to Anson Bay.  This is a popular swimming spot and it has a nice beach.  Unfortunately one has to walk down a very steep path to the beautiful ocean.

The path looks very adventurous and whilst it would be easy to walk down – it is one hell of a climb back up – so we decide to give it a miss and just admire from on top of the cliffs.  Getting back in the car we now head to Point Vincent – which is the northern most point of the island – then press on for Duncombe Bay, The Chord and the Captain Cook Monument.

HISTORY LESSON: A lovely park area- this monument is dedicated to Captain James Cook who first discovered the island during his second world voyage in 1774.  Cook named the uninhabited land Norfolk Isle after that noble family whose head, the Earl Marshal of England is premier peer of the realm.  There is a lot of work being done to improve the visitor amenities and walking over to the fence on the side and looking over – it is a pretty long drop. 

Some photos of this beautiful area : on the left are two well known international travellers standing in front of the Monument; below is taken from the Captain Cook Monument looking back to Duncombe Bay and The Chord.

While we are parked at this spot we also walk down to the headland and look out over the ocean.

We discover some rocks – one is Cathedral Rock (below left) and the other is Moo-oo Stone (below right).

These are incredible rocks and there is a path right around the edge of the mainland where you can walk to look at these close up.  We of course decide against that option and just admire from a distance.  This is a spot where scuba diving is popular and you can really understand why as the water is like crystal.  Below left is Bird Rock and on the right – Green Pool Stone.

Next stop the Botanic Gardens but on our way we encounter some of the native wildlife who know their rights and just amble along without a care in the world, and who are we to argue with this?

We are in no big hurry so we sit and watch and wait and just enjoy the scenery.  This will not be our first encounter with our four footed friends and after being mooed to sleep last night we are wondering if one of these delightful creatures was the culprit.

The Botanic Gardens are a lush part of the National Park and there is a lovely little walk way through the palms so that you can enjoy the flora up close and personal.  There is also the occasional carving that attracts your attention as you wander through what seems a lost world. Leaving the gardens our last stop today is St Barnabas Chapel.

HISTORY LESSON : St Barnabas Chapel was consecrated in 1880.  This memorial to Bishop Patteson was designed by Sir J G Jackson of London and built by the Melanesian Mission boys with help from the Islanders. The interior of the Chapel has kauri pews and a wealth of marble from Torquay in Devonshire. 

The beautiful walnut reredos (decorative screens behind the altar) and window by Sir E Burne-Jones were donated by the Dowager Viscountess Downe.

After all of our sightseeing it is time to head home for something to eat and to have our customary ‘nanna naps’.

Highlight of the Day : the views from the Captain Cook Monument