Life seems to be settling into some sort of pattern and there is likely to be little Story Telling to report on for a while (although there may be another gig on the internet in the near future). So following a favourable comment from my mate Colin I thought I would continue with odd fragments from my St. Helena adventure of 1998 over the next few blogs. Picture of the RMS St Helena by Jamestown-I stayed in a house near the top of the distant hill.
I found some ramblings of mine from that adventure so here goes. Yesterday I mentioned Ascension Island and waiting for the RMS St.Helena. The first thing to say that those two days sailing cured me of any desire to do a cruise! it didn’t take me to long to get my sea legs. For two whole days all you can see is sea, an occasional bird (Madeiran Storm-petrel, Shearwater are two I remember). So I read, sun bathed and walked round and round and round and round the boat hundreds of times. The excellent food and limitless alcohol meant I feared for my health! The writing below is what I wrote at the time about the approach to the St Helena.
“…..anticipation mounts as I stand on the Bridge looking at the radar. The circular movement of light at last detects a black smudge that grows closer by the hour. There are smiles from all the “Saints” on board………….much later the island is sighted excitement builds, we gather on the forward decks. The dark foreboding grey volcanic shape looms up from the sea. As we get closer the unforgiving grey igneous rocks dominate the view, emotions rise; I see it on these faces of these people returning home after their long economic exile. In my usual sentimental emotional outlook I am moved by this moment. It is encapsulated by a family with children ;the mother, a “Saint” is returning home after nine long years. The children are going to see their “Granny” for the first time. This is told to me by the little girl (about 8) who has that lovely optimistic glow that children of this age have…….”it’s going to better than Christmas”. The Captain lets her blow the horn when we come to anchor and we all applaud……….later as we are taken by launch as special guests towards Jamestown the cliffs are more dramatic than any picture or video I’ve seen. The cliffs are a variation of browns and greys, you can see why this island was chosen as a prison.” That was what I wrote at the time- although I mentioned prison and obviously it was for Napoleon and Boer prisoners it turned out to be one of the most romantic and stimulating places I have ever visited. History was touching you everywhere you went. (more of that in future blogs).
Now yesterday’s answers
a) Napoleon of course was born on Corsica b) He arrived in October 1815 and died 5th May 1821 so getting on for 6 years. c) His first rank in the army was Second Lieutenant d) Tchaikovsky wrote the 1812 Overture to celebrate Russia sending Napoleon packing e) It was the Rosetta Stone that was found by Napoleon’s men under the command of Pierre-Francois Bouchard who realised the importance of the discovery.
Today’s questions are all about rain as we had some for the first time today.
a) Who won Best Actor in the film “Rain Man” b) What film was Raindrops keep fallin’ on my head written for? c) Early Morning Rain was written by which singer/songwriter? d) Who was the brown furry bear in the TV show Rainbow? e) Who sang Singing in the Rain in the famous musical?
Below Cowslips in Frampton today.
