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Other entries in Belfast

Almost ready to depart

As I sit at my computer terminal tonight reflecting upon our imminent departure for foreign climes, I take comfort in the knowledge that the RMS St Helena is currently just west of Walvis Bay, Namibia, en route to South Africa.  The marvels of modern technology, that I can consult a website and discover the longitude and latitude (current position) of our mode of transport to St Helena.  The ship is, to the best of my knowledge, on time and heading south.  I would much rather be on the RMS St Helena just  now than taking the Intercape Sleepliner bus from Windhoek to Cape Town, as we did last year.  We never did get to Luderitz in 2008 and in 2009 we will pass by again, however in the comfort of our cabin rather than a bus seat; passing at sea rather than the B4/B1 junction at Keetmanshoop! 

Tomorrow morning I shall worry about tickets, passports, money and luggage; tonight I reflect upon the journey ahead.  What to expect upon St Helena?  As I have commented upon before, we get our news on island developments from the St Helena Independent.  The children are unimpressed that the Jamestown swimming pool, built I believe by the Royal Engineers in the 1970’s, is currently being refurbished.  It will probably not be open during our time on the island.  Personally, my ideal swimming pool is the one at the Cecil Hotel in Simla (Shimla), India, preferably looking out at the snow!  I have not swum in an outside pool (non-hotel type) since Tarlair (Macduff, Scotland), which funnily enough was back in the 1970’s.  Perhaps fashion has moved on somewhat, except in St Helena, which is all part of the charm.  By the way I believe Aberdeenshire Council are currently looking at refurbishing Tarlair, which has somewhat declined over the past quarter century. 

It has been a bit of a blow for the younger Burnett’s; first the Ratanga Junction Theme Park, Cape Town, is closed, and now the Jamestown Swimming Pool is closed.  Such is life!  I note that His Excellency, The Governor, Mr Andrew Gurr, left for the UK on the 10^th July and will not return until September.  The Bishop has also gone.  Oh well, perhaps we will meet the Acting Governor, Mr Andrew Wells, on our travels? 

What else is exercising the passions of residents on St Helena of late?  The airport access debate; with 1,000 people supporting the airport now and 627 people supporting a new ship.  Freedom of the press is an interesting issue following the possible introduction of regulations governing the Media (with the power to fine law breakers).  This has certainly exercised Julian Cairns-Wicks who has been writing media articles for over 25 years. 

“I am flabbergasted at what I have heard today; we journalists, the tiny voice of conscience and enquiry on behalf of the people, are about to be gagged! It is amazing to find that our Government are so concerned that they have enlisted the help of the Attorney General(?) to deny the present U.K. Law and write a purely St. Helenian Law governing the code of practice of the media (both radio and newspaper) with penalties of up to £10,000 being imposed for any infraction. It is more than probable that the Governor will place Councillors, J. P’s and Government or ex Government Employees to sit on this panel.  

This is a serious attempt to silence a free press and as (in most cases) our reports and investigationsare aimed at the transgressions, stupidities and subsequent attempts by Government to ignore or cover up the facts. The Government of Governor Andrew Gurr, would appear to be failing to observetheir own doctrine of Openness, Transparency and Accountability. Is our puny little Government; which the United Kingdom Government proclaim (incorrectly) to be Democratic and Free wishing(or required) to stifle all progressive thought, written forms of interrogation or points of view alien to the wishes of  Government. I implore you to stand up and speak out before it is too late because,going entirely on what we have heard has happened in other areas of the World, this could be the thin end of the wedge; even our right to free speech could then become constrained.” 

St Helena Independent – 10^th July 2009  

What else is exercising locals on St Helena – well inflation is a cause for concern.  Whereas in Western Europe deflation appears to be a problem, St Helena has spiralling inflation due to the cost of importing raw materials. 

“The Statistical News, issued by Development & Economic Planning Department late last week, made horrific reading. The retail price index, the only measurement St Helena has for inflation, rose by 9.9% in the second quarter, in comparison with last year. It means that Saints lost almost 10p on every pound they make. This well supersedes the inflation in UK and in South Africa. Food prices escalated by 20.9% over the period and fuel and lighting by 19.2%. The figures are staggering and will most certainly cause more people to leave the Island in attempts to earn a decent living. This cannotcontinue as the fewer we are on the Island, the more expensive everything will be. It is like a spiral, which it is very difficult to get out of, without proper measures are taken. Government increasing their charges and fees does not help the situation, but puts more burdens on the people. 

The statistics also revels that the Island’s resident population was well under 4,000 (3,867) at the time of the census last year. This means a loss of 1,049 people over the ten years past since the previous census in 1998. The part of the population economically active, earning money, dropped from 63.5% in 1998 to 54% last year. These are worrying figures” 

St Helena Independent – 17^th July 2009 

But closer to home, we have to actually get to St Helena first.  I suffer a little from hay fever as does my eldest daughter; you know the usual runny nose and streaming eyes, which occurs during the summer months.  However the swine flu hysteria gripping Great Britain at the moment has reached new heights, as follows:

“Passengers at Heathrow and other major British airports are being vetted for possible symptoms by check-in staff who are turning away those thought to be infected. It follows the introduction of thermal body scanners - which can identify travellers with fever - at airports in some countries, including Thailand, Egypt and China.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic confirmed this weekend that its staff were not allowing suspected sufferers to travel, the Sunday Times reported. A BA spokesman said some passengers had already been turned away at check-in because they showed symptoms of infection.  The spokesman added: "Our staff are trained on what to look out for if someone has swine flu or any other communicable disease. The staff seek medical advice and anyone with swine flu would be advised they are unfit to travel."

The Sunday Telegraph – 19^th July 2009

Let us hope that overzealous airline staff are not searching passengers for hankies and sachets of Lemsip!  More importantly, I hope that hay fever is not mistaken for swine flu!