Ascension Island diary - December 30
Day 4 - December 30th
An early morning walk reveals a beach cross-crossed by what at first
sight
appears to be World War I tank tracks but are the only visible remains that
the Green Turtles have been busy overnight. It is incredible to believe that
these turtles have found they way back from just off Recife, in Brazil, where
they feed to return to this specific beach on Ascension Island, where they were
born, to lay their eggs.
Another day, another breakfast scene. RMS St. Helena is on its way elsewhere but the supply container ship has arrived night.
After a lazy morning, with a swim and short walk, time for one of Johnny's afternoon treks.
Up the mountain to the Garden cottage.
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Past the now derelict Red Lion, previously the farm workers accommodation and before that the Mountain Barracks.
A short way up and we leave Elliots path for another day and follow a track that takes us into the appropriately named Breakneck Ravine which faces the prevailing moist incoming Trade Winds. Here, in 1830, was where the Royal Engineer Captain H.R. Brandeth concentrated his efforts into developing a water supply for the marines.
At the top of the ravine are areas of concrete and asphalt that were later refinements on his original scheme, as the water source for his original scheme involved digging a shaft in a seam of clay which hit a natural spring at a depth of 30 feet.
Sheep roam wild over the steep slopes.
Thick ginger trees now grow up the deepest part of the top end of the ravine.
and flax has taken a small foot hold further down.
To get the water back to Georgetown involved pumping it through a tunnel in the mountain.
Initially the pumping was powered by "horsepower" but was later replaced by a windpump. Once the water got up to the tunnel mouth then gravity powered it all the way down to Georgetown.
Meanwhile Finn has found the water tank that fed water troughs which used to provide water for the sheep and cattle.
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Once Finn and Paddy were out of the tank it was time for a well earned break in a glade (the scout campsite) that would not look out of place in the UK.
Then back to Georgetown for some well needed beers for all, before Johnny and Pete disappear for 5-a-side footy, something the Smiths senior are much happier swapping for a shared bottle of South African wine. At five pounds a bottle, presumably a by-product of shipping costs, we could be tempted to go teetotal, or there again not.
