Page 72 - 2003 - Atlantic Islands

native land bird remains the Wirebird. There are only 2 species of native plants on

the island as well. These poor “natives” are extremely difficult to see and are

constantly in danger of being completely wiped out as they are out-competed by the

introduced plants and birds.

The skies over the island were gray and stormy but we were relieved to see blue

patches struggling to emerge from behind that dark curtain. We saw the little boat,

the “Wideawake,” filled with customs officials making for our stern promptly at 6:55

AM so we were encouraged that we might soon be going ashore. And sure

enough, they were a friendly and accommodating bunch so the first group of Zodiac

riders left promptly at 8. The Zodiac adventure was less tumultuous this time and it

seemed that the whole process had become smoother and more practiced. Of

course, the fact that we were not contending with a huge swell made a difference as

well. So we got off on the wharf at Jamestown about 8:30 ourselves (we were in the

second group) and stepped into Napoleonic history!

Because six of us had opted to climb down 700 steps of Jacob’s Ladder placed there

in 1829 by the Royal Marines, we had a little mini-van all to ourselves of which the

driver was the wonderfully dubbed, Vernon Quickfall. After we had been on the

incredibly narrow, steep and winding roads of the island for just a little while, we

hoped that this “son of Saints” was not aptly named. We knew that native-born

islanders are called Saints, but Vernon told us that though he was the child of two

Saints, he himself had been born in South Africa and had only lived on the island

about 3 years. However, he was quite knowledgeable and a good and courteous

driver as well, honking at every tight switch-back and giving way to the uphill drivers.

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