Rupert's Bay

The last thing needing doing on mom and dad’s St Helena “To Do” list was to visit Rupert’s Bay. Today was a bright and clear day, perfect weather for the beach. It was the first time we were at a beach where the tide was low enough for there to be sand for the boys to run on, and that was in a sort of protected area which would periodically fill and empty with sea water. We have video footage of them screaming with joy as only children on a beach can do. Rupert’s Bay is where the petrol and diesel get pumped off the tanker and stored, as well as where the electricity generator is located. Dad wanted to see as much of the inner workings of the oil business on the island as possible, having worked for Caltex most of his life, so he did a walking tour and even managed to find himself a tour guide - an employee on the site who graciously showed him around. After a quick tea-picnic, dad then walked to the other side of the bay where he watched bags of ice being loaded onto a barge, to be taken to the nearby fishing vessel, in preparation for their next fishing trip.

A surprise was in store for mom and dad at bible study tonight - the folk had organized a supper (with Nick’s permission) in lieu of an actual study. Dad was puzzled to see a bowl of carrots taken to the diningroom instead of the usual selection of cake, but they were both overwhelmed when the table filled up with all sorts of supper dishes, particularly when it dawned on them that this had been arranged in their honour. Pudding was another whole meal, with four different trifles, two kinds of ice-cream, peaches, custard, cake…we had to very carefully pack the fridge to fit in all the leftovers at the end of the evening.