Hi - No posts or email because the ship internet has not been working. So here is a catchup!

Saint Helena

We enjoyed a wonderful visit to the beautiful island of Saint Helena, inhabited by lovely people who don’t seem at all daunted by their extreme isolation and remoteness from anywhere else.  Nearly didn’t get ashore, because although the sea was very calm there was still a 2 metre swell which made disembarking from the tenders to the shore difficult as there is no proper landing pontoon at Jamestown. After lengthy delays and broadcasts saying that it looked unlikely that we should be able to land the Captain himself went ashore and decided that those with no mobility problems would be allowed to land.

We went on a tour giving an overview of the island – see photo of us above Jamestown.

The hills here are very precipitous and the roads like alpine passes – we were not expecting this as the map doesn’t show contours. Very green inland and it actually rained for a while at the start of the tour. Climb up and up in the bus to reach Napoleons tomb –Photo. Wonderful vegetation with a lot of plants we have seen in New Zealand and Australia as well as Bouganvillia, Morning Glory etc.

It is lovely to smell the earth, see the many trees and flowers and meet so many helpful and happy people. The locals are known as Saints! Next stop high up in the hills at Napoleon’s house, now quite smart but then very damp and not luxurious though very pleasant. Excellent displays in all the rooms, which are maintained by voluntary contributions from the French Government, whose honorary consul has a very big and luxurious house in Jamestown. A stop to see the views of Sandy Bay in the South of the island which are completely obscured by fog – we are in the SE trade winds here. [There are quite a few smallish yachts moored off Jamestown, all on the way across the Atlantic.]

Then via alpine looking slopes with cows and smart houses dotted about to the Governors residence “Plantation House “to see the oldest living animal on earth, Jonathan, a giant tortoise.

Don’t see the tortoises at first because we thought they were very big boulders – until one moved. In the photo Jonathan is the motionless sleepy one in the front of the picture. Then back to Jamestown via the top of the 699 steps of “Jacobs Ladder” which connects the high part of the town to the harbour area. Most people have cars now though – 2500 cars for about 4500 residents. Have a cup of tea and delicious cake in the charming Georgian Consulate  Hotel, served by a lady straight out of the 1950’s. After tea go to the excellent museum run by Edward Baldwin who knows our friend Libby Weir-Breen in Comrie.  Almost forgot to mention John’s obligatory visit to the Post Office to buy the St. Helena stamps where the very nice Wendy handed over her stockbook to let him chose the ones with printers marks in the margins.  Pop in to the peaceful Anglican Church and outside in the square chat to the local constabulary who tells us there are 14 people in the prison. Oh Dear. Back on board at 1800 and the ship sails at 2000. Watch the lights of Jamestown disappear with the full moon lighting the sea below the steep cliffs to the West of the island. Suddenly there is no more to be seen of this little. pinprick of an island in the South Atlantic. A truly unforgettable day.