The celebrations begin with families congregating at Kingston Pier, dressed in period costume (right). There is a re-enactment of the landing at Kingston Pier (right), a march to the Cenotaph where we remember those who lost their lives in past wars, a march to the cemetery to sing Norfolk hymns and lay wreaths on family graves, and then morning tea at Government House. The highlight is a picnic lunch in the convict-built gaol compound for the Pitcairn family and friends where traditional Norfolk wetls (food) are enjoyed by all present. There were celebratory lunches happening all across the Kingston area - at the Salt House and Emily Bay for example, and at island homes too. One of the island's tour companies hosted lunch for 300 visitors. Other visitors did their own 'Bounty Day' picnic too.
The picnic foods are amazing. They are the result of days of baking. The foods we all enjoy have European, Polynesian and American influences. And the food leftover is enjoyed by families all across the island for days after.
The day began with fresh, cold winds, and driving showers of rain, but by march time at 10am the showers had cleared and the day was fine, sunny, but still cool. This year the march was the largest since 2006, when we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Pitcairners in 1856.
At Government House the Administrator of Norfolk Island, the Hon. Owen Walsh, and Ms Walsh, hosted morning tea for the island families, just as it happened 154 years ago. At morning tea the 'best dressed' family were the Youngs - all six of them. It was a very popular win.
It was a wonderful time enjoyed by all.
And in the late afternoon many of us left the picnic with a 'hili' (feeling very lazy), and slept the rest of the afternoon away. Long may the Bounty Day tradition continue.
Singing Norfolk songs on the march; and hundreds march along Quality Row to the cemetery
The picnic in the gaol compound
After the picnic - Ai gat ' hili (I am so lazy)
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