Free Time

So what is it like to be an ex-pat on a remote South Atlantic Island, cut off from the outside world for most of the time? And what do we get up to? Here's a snap shot of last weekend!
It's Friday night (well 4.30 in any case!) We all went to Donny’s on the seafront for a beer after work – followed by Pizza from one of the few eateries open - Get Carter's – it’s not always Pizza – it varies weekly. On Saturday morning Henry and Andy went scuba diving, whilst I went ‘shopping’ in Town – just a walk up and down Main Street really – we all met up later at the Coffee Shop with some other ex-pats for coffee and lunch.
In the evening one of our neighbours (Andy at No 2) hosted ‘Piccolobury’ (Take on Glastonbury!) He had hired a local band to play on the veranda, lots of beer and wine and Thai food all in aid of his 'closer to 60 than 50' birthday party. The band, Blue Magic, were fab.The event was well supported by ex-pats and locals alike - I really prefer and enjoy evenings where we are out-numbered by Saints! The party went on into the early hours although we left before midnight as we had an early start on Sunday morning!

Now normally on a Sunday morning the boys are up early to play a round of golf with friends – a group of them tee off at 9am across the road (literally) at St Helena Golf Club - membership is very reasonable and to be recommended – It means I get to relax, maybe go for a walk or go to a friends for coffee – me time! But this week a ‘Round the Island’ boat trip had been arranged by Dave Higgins – apparently not for the feint hearted or weak traveller!

So a group of around 30 met at the wharf steps at 9.30 full of Stugeron and light breakfast for a trip of a lifetime – they rarely go all the way around as it is very rough on the ‘other side and previous trips had run into difficulty! Andy and Henry chose to stand up on the bow for the duration – I secured myself a little cubby hole where I could hang on! I don’t particularly like being out in vast open water at the best of times, but when there’s little between you and hundreds of miles of Ocean, it is even more daunting for those of us who find the concept less of a pleasure. However, unperturbed, I wasn’t going to miss the trip because of a little unfounded fear! We had been warned that on the last trip round the Island out of 40, 36 were sick so it was with some trepidation that we set off!
It was fantastic and although a couple of people were unwell the vast majority (including several children) were fine – it took 4 hours to go right around and cost just £10 a head. Exceptional value!

We were lucky enough to pass between Shore Island and George Island on the south east corner, close up.

The views of St Helena Island from the south side were stunning: sheer rock faces and some familiar places that we have walked to, like Shark’s Valley, Cox’s Battery and Sugarloaf, now viewed from a completely different perspective.

The sea birds were amazing too, swooping low over the boat, following the wake for most of the trip. In addition we were lucky enough to see three of the remaining Whale Sharks too. The season is coming to an end and so they are not quite as easy to find in the waters! Once Speery Island had been negotiated, it was a calm and smooth trip back to James Bay.

When we returned home we found a note from Andy inviting us to a ‘finish up last night’s food party, so I didn’t even have to think about cooking, just wandered over to Andy’s for wine, beer and more lovely Thai food.

This is a good example of life here - over the next few weeks we have our own party - Andy and I will have been married for 25 years next week and Deanna Woosey will be 18. There is also a afternoon tea and drinks organised by Dave Higgins to celebrate Mother's Day - Full on indeed!!!!!!!

Looking back over 2013 – The Highs and the Lows

2013 has drawn to a close and an eventful year it has been. Even though I consider us far too young to start losing friends, at least 2 have been taken from us far too early.
Steve Waughman – A lovely, polite, gentleman who I had the honour and privilege to know and work with for 7 years. Although, as Steve’s Head of Service, we didn’t always share the same views and opinions, we were always able to share banter and a joke during the working day. Following the relocation of our offices to a single site, I often sat at the desk next to Steve and on that tragic day, that was exactly where I was, although Steve was working from home. A couple of months earlier Steve had learnt of my impeding departure to the middle of nowhere (St Helena Island) and he had been fascinated by the prospect of me upping roots and trekking half way around the world. It did stimulate much interest and discussion and Steve often came up with previously unknown facts about my new home! Steve was a very keen (and talented) photographer, so I had intended to send him photos of the stunning landscape and rare birds/plants etc. He would have been in his element. But it wasn’t to be. My colleague Phil took a phone call that afternoon informing us that Steve had been rushed to hospital following a suspected coronary. A couple of days later, the life support machine was switched off and a life was lost far too early. A few weeks later, just before I was to leave the UK, a friend of Andy’s, Mark Stretton, was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Surgery was attempted, but he never recovered and he died a few days later. I was unable to attend Mark’s funeral as I had already left the UK. Andy undertook this sad last tribute on our behalf. It certainly makes you think about life. This was the first complete year since my Dad passed away and this time of year always reminds us of our eldest son whom we sadly lost too.
I left family, friends and beloved pets behind when I set off at the end of May 2013. Andy and Henry due to follow in July, when the dogs would be dog sat by Simon and Dawn until their ever changing departure date, which finally came around in September. Leaving my son, George, behind was hard too, but I know it was an opportunity for him to take charge of his life rather than being reliant on us.
And so to the highs – what a fantastic Island St Helena is! We have been to places we’d never ever imagine – made some great new friends, settled into Island life, seen Whale Sharks in their natural habitat. Andy and Henry have been learning to scuba dive – Henry’s now qualified and Andy is not far behind, now his plaster is off! I’ve been completing my Masters in Strategic Change it. It’s been hard work at times, but very rewarding – I am looking forward to whatever 2014 brings us

Whale Sharks and Fishing
Andy and Henry were invited to go fishing at the weekend – an early start – picked up from the wharf steps at 06.30. Sun cream, pizza and beers were packed, along with hats and swimming gear the night before – the weather looked good and there had been lots of Wahoo and Tuna caught recently too. After motoring out towards Lemon Valley, they watched the sun come up over the Island before settling into some serious fishing. The fish had other ideas though and bites were slow. David caught a 20lb Tuna and some others caught Congers and smaller fish (including Henry) but it was the incredible sight of Whale Sharks accompanying the boat and dolphins swimming alongside that really made the trip. Unfortunately the photos don’t really do it justice, but 4 huge Whale Sharks swam just a few meters from the boat.
Tired and hot, the intrepid fishermen returned home some 5 hours later. Andy offered to help David with the Tuna. I am not sure what observers would have thought to Andy and me leaving David and Hazel’s house with a cleaver along a blood splattered path…. Ando so to the next social event – Sundowners on Friday – a boat is hired and copious amounts of food and alcohol are taken on board for consumption whilst the boat bobs around whilst watching the sun go down.