What a lovely way to spend boxing day!!.. 3 days of liquids only, a drip in my arm, and the most disgusting medicine every few hours. And all this only gave me partial relief...
The doctors are not sure what is causing the problem, and I am scheduled for yet another day in hospital on the 14th January. If they still cannot get to the root of the problem, I will have to leave on 31st January on the RMS to go to SA to see a gastroenterologist. The problem with St Helena is that, if you have a medical problem that is slightly out of the ordinary, they do not have the facilities to diagnose or treat you properly.
I am praying that I will NOT have to go off island, but am feeling very drained and tired.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas
The favourite Christmas dish on St Helena is goat meat curry. Needless to say, I tried to find more traditional ingredients for our Christmas meal, but ended up with a strange mixture of dishes - all based on the ingredients that I could find on the island. I made an Hawaiian cake, baked rice pudding, fruit salad (a real treat here) and cooked a piece of gammon, on the 24th. On Sunday morning, I went with Graeme to 3 services at the 3 Baptist congregations. Here is the view from the Head O'Wain chapel.
I made it to the kitchen at about 12 noon. I then put a chicken in the oven, cooked carrots, roast potatoes and green beans, and microwaved 2 shop bought Christmas puddings. Danny's parents brought a large bowl of curry and rice. We managed to eat at about 2.30pm.
I had a rest after everyone had eaten, as I was due to spend the next 3 days in hospital again. This time because of a severely impacted bowel.
I made it to the kitchen at about 12 noon. I then put a chicken in the oven, cooked carrots, roast potatoes and green beans, and microwaved 2 shop bought Christmas puddings. Danny's parents brought a large bowl of curry and rice. We managed to eat at about 2.30pm.
I had a rest after everyone had eaten, as I was due to spend the next 3 days in hospital again. This time because of a severely impacted bowel.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Hannah's first birthday
Hannah's first birthday celebration was held at the public swimming pool. She arrived dressed in a Chinese little dress.
She was given 2 birthday cakes. Here she is with the one at the swimming pool
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| Trying to look Chinese |
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| Hmm... what should I wish for? |
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| Happy family |
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| I know what!! |
Birthday cake # 2
What started off as a lovely day, ended with Arthur becoming faint and dizzy for no apparent reason, and being admitted to the hospital for observation. I spent the afternoon driving around, getting Art to the hospital, and then driving out to Levelwood to get his PJ's and toiletries, and Danny and Hannah's things to sleep over at the manse.
By that evening, I was feeling pretty sick myself. So, when they discharged Arthur from the hospital the next day, they admitted me with a chest infection that was bordering on pneumonia. I slept and slept, and was discharged 2 days later.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Baptist service with a diference
When Graeme and Vince were on Ascension Island, they had problems getting a venue to hold their meetings. The school room that was previously used by Nick Cleveley, was refused to them this time around. Much to Graeme's pleasant surprise, the Catholics offered the use of their church to them, and even advertised that a "Baptist meeting" was going to be held there. Just to make sure that he would not be stepping on any unnecessary toes, Graeme contacted the bishop in charge, (Monsiegneur Mc Partland) and got his happy permission to go ahead with their meetings.
Monsiegneur payed a short visit to St Helena, and in reciprocation to his kindness to Graeme, agreed to have him in our pulpit. They agreed on the subject matter of the sermon, and all was arranged.
He preached on prayer. I was challenged by a comment that he made : Whenever we pray, we engage the Trinity. For all prayer should be addressed to the Father, through the Son, by means of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is therefore one of the most important activities that we should be engaged in.
Monsiegneur payed a short visit to St Helena, and in reciprocation to his kindness to Graeme, agreed to have him in our pulpit. They agreed on the subject matter of the sermon, and all was arranged.
He preached on prayer. I was challenged by a comment that he made : Whenever we pray, we engage the Trinity. For all prayer should be addressed to the Father, through the Son, by means of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is therefore one of the most important activities that we should be engaged in.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
38 years together
Today was our wedding anniversary - 38 years of marriage. The experience has been much like a fruit salad - some fruit is too tart; some fruit is bland and uninteresting; and some fruit is delicious - but the overall combined taste is good.
To celebrate, we had lamb curry that I brought home from The Consulate, and a lovely fresh fruit salad with ice cream. It took me a few days of going from one shop to the other (and a gift of a paw paw) for me to collect the ingredients for the fruit salad - a paw paw, 3 tiny scruffy little bananas, 2 kiwi, an orange, 2 plums.
Here is a copy of an ecard that was sent to us by our friend, John, who also happens to be a photographer. It is a photo of an African violet growing in one of Anita's flower pots.
To celebrate, we had lamb curry that I brought home from The Consulate, and a lovely fresh fruit salad with ice cream. It took me a few days of going from one shop to the other (and a gift of a paw paw) for me to collect the ingredients for the fruit salad - a paw paw, 3 tiny scruffy little bananas, 2 kiwi, an orange, 2 plums.
Here is a copy of an ecard that was sent to us by our friend, John, who also happens to be a photographer. It is a photo of an African violet growing in one of Anita's flower pots.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Resurface after a VERY long break
I have had a VERY long break from blogging. "Life" just got in the way. Well, here goes to try and give an idea of the happenings within the Beckett family on St Helena over the past few months. I will start with the most recent, and then move on backwards in time.
11 Nov 2012 The people that were responsible for arranging the remembrance day parade ( a big affair on St Helena) felt that the bag pipes should not be included in the ceremony.... So Graeme and John Reid (his bag pipe teacher and new found friend) decided to have their own ceremony at the back of John's property at Luffkins. Graeme sounded the last post, then John played the pipes (I forget the name of the piece of music).
Then the minute's silence, then Graeme played reveille.
Afterwards, Graeme had a blow on the pipes.
5 Nov 2012 The Beckett junior family after one year of marriage
Graeme has started learning to play the bag pipes!! For those of you who know Graeme better, this will come as a big shock. Here he is waxing cord to fix the fitting of the pipes into each other.
The Parade Soon after John's departure there was a parade in aid of cancer awareness.
Arthur and Abi dressed for the occasion.
Danny with her mom and Hannah, watching the parade go by.
Other scenes from the parade
Hannah's impression of all the fuss...
13 October 2012 The farewell to John was difficult for me. Here are a few photos at the wharf before him and Tetyana left to spend a short holiday in SA before returning to their home in The Netherlands. Only God knows when we will see each other again.
Just before John went back to Holland, Arthur shaved his hair off. So.. John followed suit. Don't I have handsome sons????
My Sunday school classes are not limited to children only...
A class made up of a baby, a dog and a teenager.
A class where the cat supervised the handwork.
One day John and I went over to Levelwood to help Arthur set up home. Here John and Art are up to mischief together.
Towards the end of September, Arthur received a call from Social Services offering him government accommodation in Levelwood. It is an old school that has been converted into small flats. Here is the view from the back of their new home. It is VERY cold and wet in that area. It takes about a 25 minute drive from the manse to Arthur's home
A close up of the peach blossoms at the back of Arthur's new home.
Before coming here, John asked what the weather was like. I told him to expect hot, tropical weather. I was WRONG. It was cold and wet most of the time that they were with us (it still is). Graeme took John and Tetyana and me on a drive around the island. As you can see, it was cold and windy.
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13 September 2012 I just happened to have the ingredients in my kitchen to make borsch (a Ukranian vegetable soup that includes beetroot), so Tetyana showed me how to make it. Here we have Arthur looking on rather dubiously as she dished up the rather red soup. Tasted good.
John and his partner, Tetyana (Ukranian) arrived on 13 Sept to visit us for a month. Here are Danny, Arthur, John, Tetyana and Hannah on the wharf shortly after their arrival.
Hazel and Hannah having fun together
01 Sept 2012 Although Clarence (Danny's dad) is older than both Graeme and I, he is fitter and more agile. He offered to help clean the manse windows before our son, John, came for a visit in Sept/ Oct.
11 Nov 2012 The people that were responsible for arranging the remembrance day parade ( a big affair on St Helena) felt that the bag pipes should not be included in the ceremony.... So Graeme and John Reid (his bag pipe teacher and new found friend) decided to have their own ceremony at the back of John's property at Luffkins. Graeme sounded the last post, then John played the pipes (I forget the name of the piece of music).
Then the minute's silence, then Graeme played reveille.
Afterwards, Graeme had a blow on the pipes.
5 Nov 2012 The Beckett junior family after one year of marriage
Graeme has started learning to play the bag pipes!! For those of you who know Graeme better, this will come as a big shock. Here he is waxing cord to fix the fitting of the pipes into each other.
The Parade Soon after John's departure there was a parade in aid of cancer awareness.
Arthur and Abi dressed for the occasion.
Danny with her mom and Hannah, watching the parade go by.
Other scenes from the parade
Hannah's impression of all the fuss...
13 October 2012 The farewell to John was difficult for me. Here are a few photos at the wharf before him and Tetyana left to spend a short holiday in SA before returning to their home in The Netherlands. Only God knows when we will see each other again.
Just before John went back to Holland, Arthur shaved his hair off. So.. John followed suit. Don't I have handsome sons????
My Sunday school classes are not limited to children only...
A class made up of a baby, a dog and a teenager.
A class where the cat supervised the handwork.
One day John and I went over to Levelwood to help Arthur set up home. Here John and Art are up to mischief together.
Towards the end of September, Arthur received a call from Social Services offering him government accommodation in Levelwood. It is an old school that has been converted into small flats. Here is the view from the back of their new home. It is VERY cold and wet in that area. It takes about a 25 minute drive from the manse to Arthur's home
A close up of the peach blossoms at the back of Arthur's new home.
Before coming here, John asked what the weather was like. I told him to expect hot, tropical weather. I was WRONG. It was cold and wet most of the time that they were with us (it still is). Graeme took John and Tetyana and me on a drive around the island. As you can see, it was cold and windy.
.JPG)
After the cold trip around the island, we stopped at Knollcombes. Near Charles Thomas's house I saw olives on a tree for the first time.
A lonely little red flower. It reminded me that I must bloom wherever the Lord "plants" me.
13 September 2012 I just happened to have the ingredients in my kitchen to make borsch (a Ukranian vegetable soup that includes beetroot), so Tetyana showed me how to make it. Here we have Arthur looking on rather dubiously as she dished up the rather red soup. Tasted good.
John and his partner, Tetyana (Ukranian) arrived on 13 Sept to visit us for a month. Here are Danny, Arthur, John, Tetyana and Hannah on the wharf shortly after their arrival.
Hazel and Hannah having fun together
01 Sept 2012 Although Clarence (Danny's dad) is older than both Graeme and I, he is fitter and more agile. He offered to help clean the manse windows before our son, John, came for a visit in Sept/ Oct.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Baptist Coffee Morning
We held another coffee morning followed by a gospel sing-a-long this morning. As usual, there were other activities on the island, so we were competing for numbers. There was a children's party, a funeral, and the RMS was in James Bay. We had a good time, and raised 261 pounds towards the building restoration fund.
It is almost 3 years since 3 tons of rock fell onto our chapel and manse, causing extensive damage. Through fund raising efforts and the generous giving of friends, we have replaced the roof, and now have a carpenter who will be starting the repair of all the wood work - the gallery, floor boards, railings and window frames. That just leaves the paintwork, new carpets and light fittings, and HALLELUJAH, we will be able to reopen the chapel. Graeme and I have never worshipped in it, but we are sure it will happen before the end of this year.
A photo showing the lovely new roof, with the broken gallery railing at the back.
It is almost 3 years since 3 tons of rock fell onto our chapel and manse, causing extensive damage. Through fund raising efforts and the generous giving of friends, we have replaced the roof, and now have a carpenter who will be starting the repair of all the wood work - the gallery, floor boards, railings and window frames. That just leaves the paintwork, new carpets and light fittings, and HALLELUJAH, we will be able to reopen the chapel. Graeme and I have never worshipped in it, but we are sure it will happen before the end of this year.
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| window frame that needs replacing |
A photo showing the lovely new roof, with the broken gallery railing at the back.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Ooooh, we love onions
The island's "onion-less" state has come to an end - for now. We were without onions for 6 weeks because someone in SA did not complete all the necessary export paperwork - so the SA officials would not allow our consignment of onions onto the RMS. After our "onion famine" I plan to use them at every meal time.
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| Hannah and Gammy's hands touching lovely onions |
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Hannah is growing
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| delighted to see her mama |
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| carefully choosing a block |
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| handing blocks to daddy |
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Saturday school
Last night Graeme and I went to Bishop Richard and Jane Fenwick's home for supper. Graeme especially enjoys their company as they are both accomplished musicians - Richard has a marvelous organ and Jane plays an rather large harp. Needless to say, their instruments take pride of place in their lounge.
As it was the opening night of the olympics, we hurried our supper a bit so that we could watch the ceremony on the tele. We had dessert on our laps. It was a most enjoyable evening.
Saturday morning dawned cold and wet. So I unconsciously shelved the idea of clearing out the store room, as planned. Then the door bell rang, and I was faced with 4 children dressed in jackets and boots - who had come to help me clear out the store room!! I felt so bad, that I offered to take them to Sandy Bay beach in the afternoon - no matter what the weather was like - Josh had never been to Sandy Bay.
At 2pm sharp, the little rascals pitched up. We put 2 in the boot, 3 in the back seat and Danny and Hannah in the front. It was a 30 minute drive on very windy and steep and narrow roads to the beach and it was cold and overcast, but the children were happy to run and play in the black beach sand and wade in the cold sea.
The landscape is very stark and barren in Sandy Bay, but if you look, you will always find a plant of some sort growing in the sand.
On the way back, I spotted a shrub with fruit on it that neither the children nor I had seen before. It had l-o-ong thorns, and sweet smelling fruit that tasted something like sour plums. Apparently, the Saints call them curry apples.
As it was the opening night of the olympics, we hurried our supper a bit so that we could watch the ceremony on the tele. We had dessert on our laps. It was a most enjoyable evening.
Saturday morning dawned cold and wet. So I unconsciously shelved the idea of clearing out the store room, as planned. Then the door bell rang, and I was faced with 4 children dressed in jackets and boots - who had come to help me clear out the store room!! I felt so bad, that I offered to take them to Sandy Bay beach in the afternoon - no matter what the weather was like - Josh had never been to Sandy Bay.
At 2pm sharp, the little rascals pitched up. We put 2 in the boot, 3 in the back seat and Danny and Hannah in the front. It was a 30 minute drive on very windy and steep and narrow roads to the beach and it was cold and overcast, but the children were happy to run and play in the black beach sand and wade in the cold sea.
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| Sandy Bay valley |
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| A stark, black beach |
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| wading in the cold sea |
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| succulents growing in the sand |
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| Hannah keeping warm in the boot |
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| inspecting the fruit |
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| scary thorns |
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