Penkernow Canoryon
  

Cape Cornwall Singers
 

Cape Cornwall Singers Australia Trip by A St Just Lady

On Friday 4th May 56 people left St Just for the far away shores of Australia.   This was not the first time that St Just had witnessed such an exodus - but this journey was solely for pleasure and each traveler had the luxury of a return ticket - unlike the miners and adventurers of the past.

Cape Cornwall Singers had accepted the invitation of the Cornish Association of South Australia to take part in the 2001 Kernewek Lowender (Cornish Festival) in the 'Copper Triangle' - North of Adelaide in the Yorke Peninsula. 42 hours after leaving their homes they arrived in Cairns in tropical North Queensland and immediately hoisted the St Piran's Flag at the hotel. A journey into the rainforest on the century old Kuranda Scenic Railway and the return journey on the treetop level Sky rail was an unforgettable day highlighting the importance and magic of the ancient rainforest.  The visit by the catamaran "Ocean Spirit" to the Great Barrier Reef gave the Cape Singers, partners and friends an opportunity to dive and swim on the reef.  An experience of a lifetime with the water temperature of 28 degrees!  A perfect day completed with singing on board for the return journey.  

After 4 days in Cairns it was onward for a flight to  Brisbane - the sub-tropical city - where once again 3 St Piran flags were soon flying from the front of the Hotel.  A leisurely boat trip up the Brisbane river viewing wild fruit bats on the journey to a wildlife park containing Koalas and Kangaroos was well appreciated.  This is a busy modern city with some impressive new buildings directly alongside the old ones.  Soon it was time to take the train for the 14 hour journey down the Goldcoast to Sydney.  Surprisingly very little of the coast was to be seen - the route is apparently 3 miles from the coast!  The journey was a good opportunity to spot kangaroos in the wild.  During the evening passengers enjoyed being entertained by the Cape Cornwall Singers.

On the first day in Sydney there was an overwhelming desire to see the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.  No one was disappointed - both were even more impressive than anyone could have imagined.  Sydney Harbour is modern, busy yet breathtakingly impressive, and the cleanliness of the whole city is almost unreal.  For Cape Cornwall Singers to stand on the steps of the Opera House was a dream - now this had become a reality!  A wonderful trip to the Blue Mountains, visits to Bondi Beach, Darling Harbour and the Rocks (the site of the first European Settlement) were some of the highlights of  Sydney.  This remarkably safe city has excellent shopping and transport facilities and was much appreciated by the group.  5 days passed swiftly then onward for the 1200 mile flight to Adelaide.

Arrival in Adelaide was in the pouring rain.  When it rains in Adelaide in really rains.!! Next morning early off to the Copper Triangle by coach.  Now everyone could see the harshness of the landscape  and can well imagine the first impressions of those hardy settlers all those years ago.  After arriving at the isolated accommodation the first official 'Meet the Cornish' concert took place in Moonta Town Hall.  A very moving experience, especially for those present who had now made their home in Australia and originally came from this part of Cornwall.  Trelawney was sung with great pride and all standing.  Once again St Piran Flags were prominent.  The following day the Singers had a very busy schedule - singing at several events until midnight.  The Saturday evening concert was a sell out for the first time in the Festival's history.  The various events of the Festival included The Cornish Gorsedd, the Furry Dance, Craft Competitions, parades etc.  There is considerable support for the Festival and it obviously brings much needed revenue to the area.  On the return journey to Adelaide a short visit to Burra had very mixed emotions.  The local cemetery had been scheduled for 'redevelopment' and many of the old graves were no longer visible.  The coach drove into Market Square where there was a Commercial Hotel and a Miners Arms and to confirm the obvious links there was a St Just Street, Sancreed Street and many other recognizable Cornish names.  The  remaining mining structures around Burra are reminiscent of parts of Cornwall although the landscape is so entirely different that comparisons are not really possible. So many new friends were made and old friendships renewed, stories and news from home relayed and in some instances relatives were met for the first time.  Gifts and photographs exchanged and tears and laughter were unrestricted.  After 4 days exploring the City of Adelaide it was time to prepare for the 30 hour stopover in Singapore.  Singapore was HOT and HUMID.  The next day after a thunderstorm and a slight reduction in the heat a tour of the city sites was undertaken.  Some fascinating sites to be seen including the Orchid Gardens and the really beautiful traditionally restored Chinese Temple.   The final flight from Singapore to London took place at 11.15 p.m. on Sunday 27th May. Everyone agreed that it was an experience that would not have happened without the talented songwriting of Mr Harry Glasson (Harry Safari).  Cape Cornwall Singers represented their County proudly wherever they went and proved that you CAN take the men out of Cornwall but you CANNOT  take Cornwall out of the Men.!!!!