Day 18 - Kernewek Lowender

Today is the big day for Kernewek Lowender in Moonta, beginning with a street parade. This seemed to involve a large proportion of the town's population, representing various groups and ages and interests. Most were dressed in period Cornish costume, as we're many of the several thousand bystanders. 

There were even some riders from the local equestrian group (this photo for Neo)

There were various street performances including the Floral or harvest dance, which is of Cornish derivation, performed along the main street by local school kids. 

The other distinctively Cornish activity was the maypole dance performed simultaneously by groups from all the local schools along the length of the Main Street.

This performance provided the potential for major confusion and embarrassment as it would only take one careless performer to ruin the whole thing. As you can see from the photos below, the kids we watched knew what they were doing. There are several different maypole dances, the one in the photos being the most complex. Notice the ribbon pattern progress down the maypole

After the performances we wandered around for a while, then had lunch, courtesy of Cousin Jack's Kitchen. A better pasty than you would find in NSW, but not as good as yesterday. Still the ideal lunch on a chilly day

After lunch we headed out to explore some of the old mining ruins, such as the unrestored Richmans Engine house, built in 1869, and in operation till 1923.

One old building still in use is the Moonta Mines Methodist church, built in 1865, to serve the spiritual needs of the Cornish population. It doesn't look much from outside, but the interior is very impressive - it could hold about 1,200 worshipers. 

I was thinking about my Cornish great grandfather John Dunstan, who was not only a mayor of Burra, but also a lay preacher. I can imagine he would have preached in Wesleyan chapels in Burra and Broken Hill similar to this. Interestingly, there don't seem to be any blind spots in this building, as it seems the preacher can see each seat. No dozing away during a long sermon.

On our return to Redwing, we were greeted by Lucky the pig. No need for the story, the name says it all. This is what Charlotte would have eventually become. Some (big) pig!!! Charlottes Web could never have a sequel.