Page 73 - 2003 - Atlantic Islands

The roads are single-lane for the most part with lay-bys to accommodate some of the

extreme twists and, of course, since this is a British Dependent Territory, the folks

drive on the wrong side of the road.

As we were driven towards Longwood, Napoleon’s home on the island, Vernon

pointed out the oldest Anglican Church in the Southern Hemisphere (St. James

Church) as well as the oldest public library in that part of the world. He also stopped

so that we could overlook the little valley where The Briars and its Pavilion still stand

today.

The Pavilion was the first place Napoleon stayed on the island while Longwood was

being readied for him. Because of the host family’s generosity and friendship, his stay

there seems to have been his happiest time on the island. The house and Pavilion are

green with corrugated tin roofs and the little cove is pleasant and green. Looming

over the area at the south end of the enclosing walls is “Heart­Shaped Falls” which is

completely dry at this time of year.

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