Wow! What a place. Lord Howe Island is a World Heritage Site and rightly so. Not only that, it's a haven of peace, security, relaxation and fascination. You don't get a key for your room and you can leave anything anywhere in the certain knowledge it will still be there when you get back. It's right up there at the top of favourite places in the world, along with St Helena, Shetland and, of course, Comrie which is my home.
I'd heard so much about Lord Howe before I went that I had sort of prepared myself for disappointment. But the moment I got off the aeroplane from Brisbane I felt at home and knew this was going to be special. I could write a whole book but will refrain from that because the island's leading naturalist, Ian Hutton, has just published one. I have been hugely honoured to be presented with one of just six advance copies and I have to tell you that it is absolutely stunning. Do get in touch if you would like more information.
Although it's early in the season, the seabirds for which Lord Howe Island is justly famous, were there in huge numbers, particularly Sooty Terns. The island doesn't have hundreds of species but it's just so very special. I got good views of the endemic Woodhen (and have spent the past 5 minutes trying to copy a photo from our brochure on to this blog but the computer I'm using doesn't want to know!). You'll just have to visit the Australia page on our website - and thanks to Ian for use of his picture.
Unfortunately one small (?) thing went wrong while I was there. Now you may or may not know that car hire doesn't exist on Lord Howe Island so you either walk or take to a bicycle. The latter enables you to get around quicker and further and is the obvious option. Well, it must be 20 years since I tried that particular activity and at first I was a bit wobbly. But confidence increased and local drivers know to watch out for beginners on bikes and are very kind. They even understand that you daren't lift your hand to return their friendly greeting as they pass. But what no-one had pointed out was that it's not wise to try to get on to the "vehicle" on an uphill gradient. You've guessed - I fell off. Now I know that your first inclination is to laugh and I can't blame you - it must have been a sight for sore eyes. But it isn't my eye that is sore now. Oh no. I've fractured a bone in my right foot and it hurts. It also means I am relatively immobile. The hospital told me to keep my foot up for a couple of weeks - well, I ask you! I made it to Tasmania and on to Bruny Island and will write another wee piece about that later today. But meanwhile I'll take all the sympathy which is going please.
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