January 1st

We have been on St Helena for a full month. It does not feel so very strange as it did at first. We are getting to know some of the people - each one has a story to tell. We are also getting to pick up more of the history of the island, and why things are done they way they are. My health has improved slightly. I think it is because of the lack of polution - at times, one can almost taste the clean air. I still miss my family, and the easy contact I had with them via cell phones. My peace for 2010 can be summarised in the words of the song "I know not what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future..."

3.30pm Went to the Terry’s for afternoon tea. About 12 other Saints were also invited, and we enjoyed an interesting afternoon interacting with them, and enjoying Maureen’s excellent catering. When all the other people left, Graeme and I stayed on for “a while”. We ended up leaving just before midnight. A good friendship is developing between Steve and Maureen and Graeme and me.

Old Year's Day

8.30am Visited our “girls”. This time they paid attention to us . See photo of them in their cage, before they are let out into the enclosure. (We have to wear overalls when entering the enclosure, which we then remove and leave in a cupboard, ready to don at the next visit. We also have to dip our shoes in jeyes fluid before and after leaving the enclosure)

A pose with Graeme (Abi caught in the middle of a yawn).

Abi about to fetch a treat from Graeme’s mouth.

Did some shopping. The shops were open on Tues, then again today, and will only reopen again on Monday 4th Jan. See the fruit and vegetable racks in one of the main grocery stores. It will only improve on about the 7th or 8th Jan, after the cargo has been unloaded from the RMS, which is due to dock on 6th Jan.

Spent the afternoon sorting Graeme's National Geographics into chronological order (about 30 years’ worth of magazines)

Later, while working in the kitchen, I heard a noise at the back door. I could hardly believe my eyes. Now I have a cat inviting itself into our home!! A grey and white, pretty little thing with light green eyes that look like someone has outlined them with a kohl pencil. I tried closing the back door on it, but it knocked on the door, trying to get in! I know I am going to regret it, but I gave it a bowl of bread soaked in left over gravy. (I am sure I have a sign saying “sucker” on my forehead) After finishing the food, the cat went and sat on the wall where the myna birds usually perch. The birds came screeching at it, to try and chase it away. I wonder who will win the right to sit on that particular spot of garden wall...

Later in the evening Vince and Vilma came over and had supper with us. (Liver and onions, mash and peas.... we like liver and onions) We chatted while waiting for 11.30pm, when the watchnight service was due to begin. Once again, I enjoyed the sound of the church bell ringing out the call to worship – something that has been stopped in SA.

To all who read this blog, I wish you a BLESSED 2010.

Graeme and Nick

Graeme was invited to spend the afternoon visiting Nick Thorpe. They both enjoy history and old things. Nick showed Graeme his collection of old rifles, and later on they enjoyed a fun shoot at targets. Looks like a good friendship in the making.

Shopping and visiting

Toddled off to the shops around 10.30am in the hope of finding potatoes and onions. I did! When I dropped in at "the Star" hoping to find bread, there was such a queue that I decided to rather go home and bake scones.

Dropped in at the only bank on the island, and found out that there are NO bank charges for anything! The only bank transaction is an annual credit of 3% simple interest on the amount that has been in the bank for a full 12 months!

Puffed up the hill, back to the manse with my shopping treasures. My legs are feeling a little stronger today, but the lungs insist on wheezing like a muscovy duck - it is my signature tune.

We were invited to lunch at Elaine, Anthony and Timon Hopkins. Really good fare and nice getting to know another family. Timon enjoys fishing, and they talked about showing Graeme "the spots".

Stopped at the top of ladder hill, on the way home to take some pics of Jamestown.

Visits

Graeme and I left home about 7.30am to go and visit Vince and Vilma. Graeme and Vince went off for a time of prayer and chatting, while Vilma and I got to know each other better. Left at about 12.00pm and went to visit Harold, Enid and Keran. We had to leave our car at the bottom of their property and walk up 2 hills to their home. Beautiful area, but a stiff walk. Had a good visit, then walked back to the car in thick mist.

Paid our bi-weekly visit to our dogs. Was a bit taken aback when the 2 dears came running towards me, only to run straight past me, and greet Arthur March!! He is one of the 3 people who look after them while they are in quarantine. The dogs are obviously happy and well cared for. They will most probably pine for their new “family” when we bring them home at the end of their quarantine period.

Paid Maisy a visit. She is still in hospital, but was a bit more alert today. I hope that when I am as old as she is, that people will remember me with as much fondness as the Saints remember her. Seems that she was quite a vibrant lady in her younger days.

Took a picture of the view from my kitchen window. The window is level with the ground outside. There is a narrow lane of about a meter wide between the manse and the chapel. Graeme parks his motor bike there.

Edie and Hazie

Dear old Edie – the 90 year old lady that we take to church on Sundays. She walks much faster than I can. The problem is that she is unsteady while she motors along at a breath taking speed, and so she clings onto my arm while she does so. I simply have to try and keep up. (I walk with a walking stick)

We were walking back to the car after the Head O'Wain service. It is quite a long uphill path to the car. Almost there….There is a narrow gap with a hump in the path between a parked car and a field of dense flax. Edie decides to aim for it, dragging me along behind her. Naturally, we both loose our balance, and flop around like 2 old drunks. A new visitor to church, who was about to drive away in his car, sees the 2 of us, and comes dashing to our aid. Edie just giggles merrily, and carries on dragging me behind her to the Fiesta...

No – there are no pictures today.

Jehovah shammah

Slept late. Felt a bit low. Missing my family. Bawled. Then remembered what my son, Arthur had said to encourage me. “My favourite name for God is Jehovah-shammah – i.e. ‘the Lord is there’. The Lord is with me, and He is with you. He is there”.

Felt a bit better, then bawled some more – quietly, of course.