Xmas at Annes place

What an amazing family !We, along with all the other visiting
yachties, were invited to a Xmas luncheon at Annes Place. The only
request was to bring whatever we wished to drink, and even that was
laid on! There were 5 yachts at anchor, and all except the French
single hander accepted the invitation. A dean 440 en route to French
Polynesia, (took 13 days), a steel Roberts , Sea Jade, (Nick & Wendy ,
serious adrenalin junkies, 7 months to St H from CT ,stopped at every
island and bay right up to Southern Angola, sky diving, kyaking,
diving, mountain climbing), A German couple, and ourselves. Annes
philosophy is that she and her family made a go of things thanks to
the yachties, and Xmas is her chance to say thank you! She believes
nobody should be alone at Xmas. She had also invited a couple of "
simple people, who stay in a shelter" to join her family.
WE had the opportunity to meet the whole extended family, and put
names and faces together. Richard and his wife Jane now run the place,
with the assistance of their 4 kids, a St Helena school teacher and
another couple. Pat and Sally, Annes two daughters, their husbands,
and kids all made for a very festive occassion. The kids are expected
to work hard, and do so as well. They also have a very different way
of communicating with their elders ! Example. Annes puts on her Xmas
hat, and askes Richards son Mike "how do I look?" " F......G Ugly!! "
he replies! So you like it eh, Anne chortles!
They laid on an absolute feast, Lamb, Roast duck, Turkey, Smoked
Gammon and curry dish, mountains of vegetables , roast potatoes etc,
followed by a whole assortment of desserts. We hardly made a dent in
it all!
The place is now "closed" until new year, but we were told that if we
needed to use the wifi internet , just come on in! In the internet
room, they also keep a cupboard full of blankets and mattrasses, for
any yachties who cant get back to their yachts, for any reason:Landing
jetty too rough, Missed ferry hours etc.
And what a pleasure it is to feel TOTALLY safe at all times, never
having to watch your back, or worry about theft.
Today we are preparing the boat for our departure tomorrow for
Ascension. The customs people will come down to the warf to clear us
out at 9.30, and we will be sad to leave this interesting island, and
its friendly people. Tom & Johness stayed 6 weeks, but thats nothing
compared to our Sea Jade "AJ's", who will be staying their full 90
days! They even want to circumnavigate the island in their rubber
duck! Cheers for now!