Saint Helena

Saint Helena - February 2026

On 22nd February 2026. I travelled from the UK via Johannasburg in South Africa to Jamestown in Saint Helena. A small island situated in the South Atlantic, 1200 miles off of the West coast of continental Africa and 1800 miles off of the East Coast of continental South America. The nearest other landmass is Accension Island, situated 820 miles WNW away. The second most isolated, populated place on the surface of Earth. (4446 people based on recent census data.)

Above: Flying directly to Saint Helena from Johannasburg over Botswana and Namibia. Below are twin peaks situated a few miles South East of Mount Etjo in Namibia at 36000ft. The African landscape was a wonder to view along the way before reaching the coastline and heading 1200 miles out into the South Atlantic.

Above: Saint Helena makes it's appearance after 4.5 hours of flying with the airport situated on the bottom left as you look. The runway has a 300m drop into the ocean at either end so the calm conditions are appreciated. In fact if the weather had turned we wouldn't have been able to land and would have had to return back to Africa. Once arrived there is an increased risk that you're not going to leave when you expect. This airport received one plane a week.

The airport had recently closed due to unsafe conditions (Fire Safety) and was declassified from 6 to 4. Thankfully this meant that even though only smaller jets could land, the parts and engineers needed to sort out the repairs could make it to the island in time . Class 6 classification was restored, just in time for our arrival. (6 days previous)

Let's have a little check as to where we actually are on the planet 15°55’24.3”S; 5°43’3.5”W on the blue dot in the middle of the sea.

Car hire picked up and heading into Jamestown to The Consulate Hotel where Napoleon is there to greet us on the veranda.

Jamestown and "The Jacobs ladder" a climb of 699 continuous steps, each step greater than 170mm (UK Building Regs.) More like 250mm (It was 700 though the top step is buried)

The first morning and I'm off to complete the challenge of the climb. No records are going to be broken after last night.

Below: I've made it to the top , 7.30am before breakfast

Now to head down. Easier, but still pretty tough on the ol' shins

Above: Made it...now that is challenging, but worth it..

Now for some breakfast a coffee and relax and to enjoy the view out to sea at St Helena Coffee shop

After breakfast and a stroll around the front, here's a basalt pool where the swell of the ocean seeps in

Kev's turned up in his truck to take us up to his place near Blue Hill. His place has yet to be named!
Below: We've arrived at what looks like an old crofters cottage , though I can see very clear evidence of the hard work Kevin has put in get the project to this state. The outdoor kitchen in the background (still under construction)

Above: Kev's place...The extension is the location of a modern bathroom with large unobscured window looking out across the ravine
Below: A view across the ravine to the neighbours..you're not going to walk over there directly that's for sure.

Above: The view from the terrace down the valley to the ocean, the trees currently obscuring some of the view are due to be cut back.
Below: Kev in his element!. some nice limestone flooring stacked up ready to be cleaned primed and laid indoors. just got to move them there.

Above: Formation of the cliff face reminded me of the Comedy/Tragedy masks used in the theatre.
Below: End elevation of the cottage.

Let's have a little reminder of where the actual **** I am see below. Kev's place is circled

Zoomed in and note the Pyramid shaped headland at the end of the valley, we'll come to that further down.

Below: Kev's cottage and the view across the valley.

Plenty of rock to chop out around the back to enable a complete walk around where there is a water tank thats going to be converted into a plunge pool with decking

The to be plunge pool and decking with an outdoor shower within the trees in the background.

Above: Kev's even got his own quarry alongside the entrance path that is being utilised, providing material for Gabian Walls and Retaining walls that are required.

Below: Looking inside, The building height has been raised about 300mm and new roof installed. Some nice timber lintels and copper conduit going in for the electrics.. I did do a bit of work whilst there threading cables.

Roof light and exposed rafters along with floor matting laid ready for the limestone floor.

Below: Further up and there's Kev's plot of land that's been prepared for the next project. Possibly a Music Festival (funding is available.) There is space enough for the house of your dreams. A beautiful plot with a view that is just insane. Great place for a party!

Stone age Kev's Stone Circle

A recap as to where the F*** we actually are haha

The view from Blue Hill down to Sandy Bay . The grey peak on the left is one of two that protrude through the surface. This one being called "Lot" there is also "Lot's wife" see earlier map.

Considering the island is aonly about 8 miles long by 5 miles wide. These views are absolutely everywhere.

Above: Lot's wife in the distance

Into town and having picked Kev's pal Mark up, we got a jerry can of fuel. It's through the town arch to the Harbour ferry to get out to the boat for a mornings fishing
Below: Mark getting us set up

Above: Setting out to sea from Jamestown.. see that Blue building, that's Saint Helena Yacht Club. Where I was to be djing the next day.

Feeling chilled there Kev:
Below: The lines are out and off we go

Above: I'm at the helm, beautiful out here. Hot too, about 25C today..perfect.
Below: Penny for them Kev!

Above: Boys at sea, no fish yet.
Below: I mentioned the Pyramid shaped cliff face earlier at the end of the Valley where Kev's cottage is located. Here it is viewed from sea.

Kev wondering how we're going to establish a route down to the sea from his place and create a landing point for a boat. sorting the route will be challenge enough, but I'll be up for it when I return.

No fish, so about turn , we've been trawling around at one end of the island, it's time to head up to the other end towards "Sugarloaf to see if we have any joy. we did see a chap land a nice sized Tuna though. He caught it and he was off.

Above: The point known as "Sugarloaf"

No luck and time to return to land and our hotel for some well earned refreshments...Did I mention I had brought a bit of duty free through with me on arrival.. That soon went.

Napoleon joined us for a drink or three.

Emma enroute to the Yacht Club. The Nightclub "Dunnes" is in the background. That's for the last night.

The spot for a bit of music that evening along with the observed Sunsets.. Even managed to blast out this track, it went down well!

The photo below, taken by Kevin of the Sunset as a cross.

Above: The Governor at the office (Note the number plate)
Below: Not the Governor but "Speed" a top lad who grew up with Kevin and let's me know his island nickname is Pud's. That's it then, his cottage is to be now known as "Pud's Pad" Speed pointed me in the direction of a couple of decent little fishing boats for sale. It would be nice to keep a boat out there.

The Governors House: The home of 194 year old Jonathan. The worlds oldest living land animal (An Aldabra Tortoise) He was alive when Napoleon was on the island

This is Jonathan aka "Uncle Johnny" he has three pals Emma (By the drinking pool), David (Eating the Bird of Paradise Plant) and Frederick who you can see alongside . We we're able to stroke him, surprisingly he likes visitors. You'd think he'd had enough of them after all these years. limited sight and smell, but his hearings pretty good.

Above: The View from the Governers front door.
Below: Inside Reception looking through to the Dining Room which was set for Lunch. I didn't stay.

Blue Hill looking northwest

Above: Back at Kev's and the 400m garden path, we're off to cook Crayfish in the "Outdoor Kitchen"

Crayfish on the cook
Below: Will, the Islands Air Traffic Controller has joined us as he has a bit of free time. There is only one plane a week after all. Sounds like he's got a great job to me.

We stop at the top of Jacobs Ladder so Emma can see the view. (She couldn't mange the climb and suffered with bottling it, I mean Vertigo!) Note the lovely community 25m swimming pool and 5 aside pitch which is centred at the towns youth club "New Horizons" I think they instil the idea that its a good plan to leave the island and forge you're future as soon as you're grown up.

Last night and the nightclub, The Freedom Bus turned up with loads of people ready to let their hair down
Below: April and her friend at Dunnes

Above: Inside Jamestown Church, the oldest Christian Church in the Southern Hemisphere
Below: The wall in the bar of "The Consulate Hotel" where we stayed.

Below: The home where Napoleon lived until his death on the 3rd May 1821

Above: Tradional recipes for St Helena Fishcakes. Give em a go!

The Red Fody was a striking bird to see in the wild with the most iridescent red plumage.

Our plane has arrived from Walvis Bay. Only a small window available before weather closed in for three days. Not bad weather as we know it though the raindrops can be the size of the end of your finger. Kev's neighbour "Alamaba Steve" told me this. I would have liked to have seen that. The coldest temp recorded on St Helena is 15C.
Below: And we're out of here, heading back to South Africa, beginning our journey home. I've already spoken to my boss and he's quite happy for me to work from here for a week or two next winter (same time zone) I'll be back.