Island Holidays Blog

When the Boat Comes In

Every now and again there's no getting away from it:  the files have to be cleared out.  It's a horrible job on the whole but occasionally there's a jog of memory with the pleasure that brings with it.   This happened last night (I do the files while watching the telly - makes it a bit less of a chore and saves wasting time in office hours).   I was back in 2003 (who says I keep my files up to date!) and discovered a hand-written "thing" which I'd penned.  I wanted to share it with you because it's made me think it's high time I re-introduced a certain two-centre holiday.  Here goes:

"There's been an air of expectancy for the past few days, stronger earlier than now, strangely.   RMS, due in at 4 p.m. is running a bit late.  Sighs of resignation echo round Georgetown as word goes round: everyone's going to have to work late tonight.

I suppose I really should stop here and announce a "Where am I?" competition.  But no - let's go on.  I got here from RAF Brize Norton on Monday morning.  Three times previously I'd landed here en route to the Falkland Islands and been teased by spending one and a half hours on the ground but never seeing anything of the island.  This time it would be different.

The tropical warmth which hit as I stepped off the plane was welcome in November, albeit we'd had an excceptionally mild autumn with no hint of winter before I left.

Ascension Island is just 7 degrees south of the Equator and lies in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean whose waves beat the shores.  A blowhole we visited on the north coast was seriously dramatic.

I knew to expect a volcanic island and, having seen it from the air and the airhead (as its known), I wasn't anticipating outstanding beauty.  Nor was I expecting to be utterly captivated by this dramatic, powerful landscape.

The stopover was for four nights and this simply wasn't long enough to do justice to the wealth of possibilities.   Tourism hasn't infected the island with its negative rip-off side, and people take pleasure in sharing their knowledge with you.   As I sit outside writing a little before dinner, I have to look up every time a vehicle goes past and wave - not to do so would be the height of bad manners.  A mynah bird is calling in a nearby tree, a warm breeze is fanning me and sometehing in the atmosphere tells me that the RMS has been sighted.

RMS?  Yes the Royal Mail Ship, that amazing mail vessel which serves St Helena and plies the seas between that island, Cape Town and Ascension, occasionally calling in the UK and just once a year going to Tristan da Cunha, arguably one of the most remote, inaccessible islands in the world.  (Note:  this was in 2003 - she no longer calls at the UK and goes to Tristan once in a blue moon.)   

Yes, she's arrived.  Mervyn has just driven past in the Obsidian Hotel minibus en route for the pierhead to meet the expectant passengers with his warmth and professionalism.

So much more to say - turtles, seabirds, history, BBC relay stations and so on.  The best way to find out more is most definitely NOT to visit www.whatever but to come and see for yourself."

The joy of it is that 10 years later we're still taking people to Ascension and St Helena and, very occasionally Tristan da Cunha.  Check out the South Atlantic page on our website.  Reading this again last night gave me an idea.  It's ages since we did an Ascension/Falklands holiday and so I'm going to put one together, probably for November 2014 or January/February 2015.  Unfortunately you can't stop over without paying for the empty leg on the RAF flight but it's a price worth paying.  Keep an eye on our website to see what I come up with or sign up for our newsletter through said website. And thank you for letting me share my first impression of this incredible island and an experience which led me to introducing the Royal Mail Ship and St Helena to our programme and adding a whole new dimension to my life.

It's in the Stars

Got an email from a friend on St Helena with the following - more topical last week when it was published, I guess, but still worth a giggle.

"Stedson George , who writes monthly articles in the paper  on the Night Sky here on St. Helena ( previous years in the Herald and this one in the Independent 5th April) mentioned that - and I quote  "this is the month for the Lyrids meteor stream, consisting of dust and debris left behind by the Comet Thatcher, last seen in 1861."

Regardless of politics and solemnity there are always funny things happen.  One of these was when the camera was panning around the congregation in St Paul's cathedral as the Thatcher family were waiting for their cars - the hearse and the Queen had already left (separately of course).  The BBC television commentator was bravely filling in the time when the camera spotted one of the ladies who had looked after Mrs T in her lattter years and, to make sure we all knew which she was, identified her as "the one in the black hat".   One can only hope he never realised what he'd said - if he did, he did a professional job of carrying on regardless!

 

Ipad for Dummies

I've done it - got myself an iPad.  Think I'm pleased but also fairly baffled in spite of having acquired a book called iPad For Seniors for Dummies.   I'd have been happier without the mention of "seniors"!  But I know that it really will make life a lot easier when I'm travelling and that's the idea.

And now that Easter's been and gone, albeit it early, and there are signs that this cold weather might let up at last (to be replaced by rain I believe!), thoughts turn again to said travels.  I'm probably going over to Islay for a few nights next month - nothing to do with our tour, just because I love it.   Then we've a small group going up to Shetland and Fair Isle in June which I'll be accompanying.  Really looking forward to it - the only downside is I can't join our Iceland frolic as well and that looks lovely.  It's taking in some areas I haven't been to before and I'm determined to go next year.  After that it's the Faroe Islands which is always a delight.

And before we know it I'll be down at Rutland for the British Birdwatching Fair in August.  The Azores in September followed by St Helena and South Africa and October/November - it all makes me breathles, especially as it will then be time to post overseas Christmas cards!

My cousin who lives in Seoul (Christmas reminds us of family, hence the link) was on The World at One today on Radio 4.  He's lived out there most of his adult life and is an experienced journalist turned commentator.  It was fun to hear his dulcet tones, although the situation must be a bit worrying for everyone concerned.

Just going to finish this cup of tea, tidy up in here (and if you believe my desk is EVER tidy you'll believe anything!) and then a nice walk in the woods out the back of the house before attending to domestic details.

After all that, you must be dying with excitement!

Riddled with guilt!

Guess you thought I'd disappeared off the face of the planet.  No excuses.  I just got out of the habit and then there was a problem getting on the site because Typepad's systems had problems taking payments from credit cards so they closed me down for a while.   But you can't keep a good thing down and so here I am again.

That last trip to St Helena and South Africa was fantastic.  It wasn't just the places, the weather and the itinerary but also the people.  What a terrific group.  And, for me, the highlight at St Helena was our boat trip which we always include which takes us along the north coast of the island.  This time we got really lucky and saw 5 Bottle-nosed Dolphins (not always seen) plus up to 400 Pan-Tropical Spotted Dolphins which were playing - jumping out of the water, playing in the bow wave and so on.  It was magical and hard to tear ourselves away but time was moving on.  No sooner had the last of the dolphins which had been following us turn back than a fin was spotted.  Turned out to be a juvenile Whale Shark.  I'd never seen one in my life before.  And it just got better.  Altogether there were seven of these giants and they came up within touching distance (although, of course, we didn't).

After the group had returned to the UK from Cape Town I stayed on for 4 nights to investigate "new" potential add-ons to the St Helena tour.  My colleague from Signature Tours took me on a lightening fast trip down the famous Garden Route and then we we to Klen Karoo and Little Karoo.   To get from one to the other involves crossing probably the most dramatic pass I've ever been over - and I've been over some passes in my time.  This one is called the Schwarzberg Pass and if ever you get to that part of the world it's an absolute must.  That evening we stayed in a super lodge in Prince Albert called De Bergkant Lodge - highly recommended with beautiful rooms, a lovely setting and a charming host.

Now it's time to stop waffling on and get back to work!

 

 

Off on my travels

Haven't been travelling much lately so am really looking forward to getting back to Cape Town and St Helena - I'll be leaving on Monday and be away for a month.   Got some really interesting clients so it should be a good trip.

It will be interesting to see how the airport is coming on and the effect the influx of outsiders will have had on the island and her people.   I'm terribly "anti" and it seems to me that the only possible reason for the airport is strategic.  The promised 30,000 visitors a year is pie in the sky and, anyway, there simply isn't the infrastructure.   Llike I say, it will be interesting to get back to the island I love so much.  By the way - we've still got places left on our next tour to St Helena in October.

As always there's masses to be done before leaving and I'm running out of daylight hours.  I've also got my fingers firmly crossed that the forecast snow doesn't disrupt travel arrangements both for myself on Monday and the rest of the group on Wednesday.   Seems like it's a good time to be getting away.  I have very little internet access while I'm away so don't hold your breath for an update!

 

 

Off on my travels

Haven't been travelling much lately so am really looking forward to getting back to Cape Town and St Helena - I'll be leaving on Monday and be away for a month.   Got some really interesting clients so it should be a good trip.

It will be interesting to see how the airport is coming on and the effect the influx of outsiders will have had on the island and her people.   I'm terribly "anti" and it seems to me that the only possible reason for the airport is strategic.  The promised 30,000 visitors a year is pie in the sky and, anyway, there simply isn't the infrastructure.   Llike I say, it will be interesting to get back to the island I love so much.  By the way - we've still got places left on our next tour to St Helena in October.

As always there's masses to be done before leaving and I'm running out of daylight hours.  I've also got my fingers firmly crossed that the forecast snow doesn't disrupt travel arrangements both for myself on Monday and the rest of the group on Wednesday.   Seems like it's a good time to be getting away.  I have very little internet access while I'm away so don't hold your breath for an update!

 

 

Happy New Year

Hello everyone.  Do hope you've had a good Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year.  What I find utterly confusing is the fact that 2012 has been and gone (almost) and I don't know where.  And the best you can say about it is that it's been wet!   Oh - and that we celebrated 25 years of Island Holidays.  More celebrations next week as we mark the 25th anniversary of the first ever tour - we set up the business in August 1987 and our first group went to the Falkland Islands in January 1988.   Seems impossible!   In a book the passengers on our 25th anniversary expedition cruise gave me and signed, someone wrote "25 years of making people happy".  Isn't that lovely?  

Christmas for me has been both hectic and a little traumatic.   To start with, the week before my cousin who lives in Korea came to stay with his 5-year-old who is absolutely enchanting.   I haven't got much experience of kids so was a bit nervous but it turned out to be a very special four days with other cousins coming over as well (but from Fife & Glasgow, not quite so exotic at Seoul! 

Then 4 days later on Christmas Eve a spanner decided to drop in to the works.  My septic tank decided to return to my bath in all its (septic tank's, not bath's) glory just 7 hours before Sister & Mr Sister arrived for 3 nights on Christmas Eve.  Our local plumber couldn't sort it so I called the specialist emergency number and he arrived with all the gear - power hoses etc etc but  after 2 hours he  couldn't sort it.   So there I was with the first Christmas my sister and I had spent together for more than 40 years and the first ever with my brother-in-law and no lavatory!  In fact no drainage at all.   Neighbours were wonderful but going to the loo involved trekking down and up my very steep hill  - except when it was dark!!!!  Then other neighbours threw their house open for my Boxing Day party - fortunately it was a small one with just 25 people.  The consensus is that the soak-away is saturated and - guess what - the septic tank isn't covered by my insurance.  Roll on 2 weeks today when I can walk away from it all.   9 different neighbours have signed up to do my washing and now that the tank has been emptied (£425 thanks very much) I've got breathing space and can at least use the loo and wash the dishes.

As I say, I'm off two weeks today for a month which will be lovely.  I'm spending some time in South Africa with friends (just a couple of nights) and then meet my clients and take them to St Helena.  It will be really interesting as two of them - unknown to each other and not related in any way - both had great-great (or something) grandfathers who were present when Napoleon's body was exhumed in 1840. Don't you just love coincidences?

Anyway, much to do before leaving.  So this is just to wish you all a very happy New Year - and hopefully it won't be QUITE so wet!

 

 

Comrie floods

Those of you who live in the UK will probably have heard of the devastating floods which hit the highland village of Comrie on Monday - my village as it happens.  We're not a big place - just about 2,500 people altogether and over 150 homes were affected.   For some people it was the second time in 4 months and they still hadn't been able to move back in from the first time.  Have a look at this link lor just take a look at the photo.

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The emergency services were great - fire brigade, ambulance service and even the RNLI and local people rallied round to offer whatever help was needed or practical.  We're all worried about tomorrow's forecast for further prolonged torrential rain.

Now I'm going to tell you a true story.  There's a lady in the village in one of the affected houses whose husband had died 4 days before.   When she rang the insurance company they wouldn't speak to her because the policy was in his name.   That makes me incandescent with rage.  What kind of country are we living in where rules cannot be bent to accommodate simple compassion?   Who are the people who make these rules?  How can the rest of us make our protest and anger known and effective to bring about a more caring nation?  If you think you can detect a sense of frustration you're absolutely right.  I cannot believe that the majority of people in this country would not be appalled by this happening so surely, in a democracy, we can get the attitudes of our businesses changed?  It's our country and, at times like this, we should be deeply ashamed of it.

 

 

 

Autumn Gold

Autumn can be absolutely glorious or a soggy depression.  This year it's the former.  I guess it's been relatively cold for the past couple of weeks (we've had the odd frost at night) and there's been very little wind with the result that the trees are looking sensational.   Just looking out of the office window is a joy as the sun shines on the leaves with their amazing and varied shades of orange and gold and red.   In fact it's surprising there's any working getting done because, out of the other window, "our" red squirrel is busyily burying whatever it is that he's got to bury.  Seems a bit silly to me 'cos when the ground's frozen he won't be able to get at his store cupboard but I guess he knows best.   They (the red squirrels) are a constant source of joy as they go about their business.   Saw a grey the other day which is a bit of a worry. Ah well.  There are a lot of folk around here determined to eliminate the greys which is tough on the squirrels, especially as they didn't ask to be introduced to the UK.

Had some news from Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean the other day.  It's another of my favourite places - that and neighbouring Cocos Keeling.   On Christmas Island they're going to be running a Bird and Nature Week next September and we're going to be taking a small group out.  I'm still waiting on details but hopefully there will soon be a new page on our website under the "Featured Favourites" section.  The other revival for 2013/14 will be Dominica - the nature island of the Carribean (as opposed to the Dominican Republic).   That's by popular demand.   It's another delightful island - and I've had some of the best whale watching in my life there.  The waters around the island plunge down (stands to reason when you look at the steep hills which go down to the shore) giving hugely deep seas very close to shore.  There's a resident pod of Sperm Whales and, around December, the males return from their migration to the Arctic.   It's stunning.   Reckon that will probably be offered around March 2014 but I'm not sure yet.

One thing's for certain.  If I don't stop chatting and get back to working on the tours they won't happen!

 

Royal Mail Ship to return to Tristan da Cunha

When we went to Tristan da Cunha in 2011 we were led to believe that it would be the Royal Mail Ship's last call ever to the island.   Not so!   I've just got the new RMS schedules and am delighted to announce that she will be returning in November 2013.  

This is an incredibly popular trip and will fill quicker than you can snap your fingers, so if you are interested please get in touch as soon as possible - either email me on libby@islandholidays.co.uk or phone on (+44) 01764 670107.   It's such hot news that it isn't even up on our website yet and probably won't be till next week but I wanted to share the opportunity with you.