The interior of the island has numerable features.
The island interior
“Longwood” presents a proud face of Napoleon’s ‘residence’ of incarceration, where he lived out the rest of his life after his imperial and military ambitions in Europe ended in disaster at the hands of the British and allies. His ultimate punishment: permanent exile to the most remote and inaccessible place those enemies could think of.
The rear of the estate holds a residential complex. Napoleon had his own personal staff who lived on site. The location of the property, originally an 18th century farm, is isolated even on Saint Helena, and was considered difficult for an escape or rescue.
Goats, bred as meat for passing ships’ provisioning, have done a lot of damage to large areas of land over the centuries. A reforesting operation run by volunteers is underway, replanting shrub like gum trees and other native species.
Erosion as a consequence of the same deforestation has unearthed some colourful geological scenery near the construction site of the new airport.
Saints have a golf course to enjoy – laid out in the highland interior, often blanketed in mist or fog.
The damp highlands produce a fertile and green terrain.
We were amazed to see so much New Zealand flax, once used in a local rope making industry – now obviated by synthetic fibres. It was introduced in the 1870’s with the aim of providing the island with a cottage export industry. At its zenith some 20% of Saint Helena’s accessible land was set to flax production, along with a commensurate employment of islanders. It is no longer harvested in any serious quantity and grows abundantly, especially in the more inaccessible wild places, adding to environmental headaches. It does stabilise the soil against erosion and grant excellent wildlife habitat and bird feed.
Jonathan the Seychelles giant tortoise has been counting his years since 1832, making him possibly the oldest reptile on the planet.
He lives on the estate of the Georgian era Governor’s residence. Plantation House was built in 1792.
