Lanka “Big Girl” – Tea Shire Drive

Many visitors to Norfolk Island have enjoyed an outing with “Tea Shire Drive”. This is the lovely horse and cart ride with PJ and his beautiful horse Lanka “Big Girl”. The delightful outing takes you back in time when life was a slower pace. “Big Girl” pulling the beautiful carriage along the Norfolk Island country roads, through the fig trees and the track leading into 100 Acres. During the outing, the group also enjoy a lovey afternoon tea.

I was sad to read the “Tea Shire Drive” Facebook post on the weekend that Lanka aka “Big Girl” had sadly passed away. This was sudden and so devastating to PJ, Ash, family and all of those who have met this lovely gentle big shire horse. “Big Girl” was only 14 years old, which is not very old, I have read that shire horses can live to 25 to 30 years.

The following is the post that was on Facebook on Sunday 19 March 2023.

Tea Shire Drive | Kingston Norfolk Island | Facebook

It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beautiful Lanka aka ’Big Girl’. It was extremely sudden and devastating. She will be forever remembered as a most loved member of our family, our first shire and mentor.

We would like to extend our gratitude for all the messages and gifts from both Norfolk Island and afar. It means a lot to all of us.

What this does mean for Tea Shire Drive is that we will need to cease operation until our next rising star Gemma is ready to take the reins. She is coming along well but not quite ready to fill Lanka’s big shoes.

For now, we would just like to pay tribute to our beautiful ‘Big Girl’. Forever in our heart and rest in peace.

In 2019, Lanka, “Big Girl” arrived on Norfolk Island on a charter flight, and this lovely shire horse was in a paddock along our driveway during the first months on Norfolk Island. I enjoyed meeting “Big Girl” and taking her photograph as she would come to the fence to say hello.

The Norfolk Island A&H Show always has a busy time with the equestrian events. “Big Girl” would also attend. At the 2022 show day I took photos of her wearing a lovely blue checked coat. I also called my grandchildren in New Zealand so they could say hello to “Big Girl”, they were so happy to see the Norfolk Island horses.

During the past couple of years, a wonderful new tour was available on Norfolk Island. The tour was named, “Tea Shire Drive”. PJ, Ash, and their helpers delighted tourist with a lovely horse and carriage ride, which I have described above. In December 2022 I took a few lovely photos of PJ and “Big Girl” and a happy group of tourists enjoying a lovely sunny outing at 100 Acres. I will share a few photos from that “Tea Shire Drive”.

One year ago, I had the honour of photographing the 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay. During the QBR around the Norfolk Island Sports Clubs, we also visited the horse stable at PJ and Ash’s home. PJ and “Big Girl” proudly carried the Commonwealth Games Baton, I am sure “Big Girl” was excited to be included in this special event.

Anyone who has met “Big Girl” the many who have enjoyed the “Tea Shire Drive” will feel that this is a great loss, and very sad.

PJ and Ash have another Shire horse named Gemma. They have been training lovely Gemma to wear the harnesses and to pull the carriage and even though they will not be taking tours for a little while, they will be back when Gemma is ready. Gemma may have big shoes to fill, but I am sure in the months to come she will learn the skills needed for the “Tea Shire Drive”. PJ Wilson told me that “Gemma is currently being broken to harness and is coming along but not quite ready yet”.

I send my love and thoughts to PJ, Ash and family and friends of Lanka “Big Girl”. Here are a few special images and memories of beautiful “Big Girl”.

Betty Matthews

March 2023