Island Escape

Here is a nice story. It is an antidote to my previous blog.

In 1972 Brendon Grimshaw from Yorkshire ( what a splendid Yorkshire name ) bought a small island in the Seyschelles called Moyenne for £8000.00.

When Brendon ( now 81 and still a picture of health ) bought the island it was so overgrown as to be impenetrable. Over the years he has transformed the island into a 22 acre nature reserve. He cleared the scrub, built a wooden house, planted Palm trees, Mango and Paw Paw. He piped water, electricity and phone line from the nearby island of Mahe. He introduced wildlife and has 120 giant Tortoises.

The island is now a national park so is protected when he dies. In addition to the tortoises the island has a range of wildlife and 40 species of Palm trees.

Brendon is not a recluse and welcomes day visitors from nearby Mahe for £10.00 a visit, but does not allow overnight stays. After his mother died his father came out from England and lived on the island until he died. Brendon says they had a wonderful few years together.

He is living the dream and will leave the world a better place.

The programme ' Indian Ocean ' ( BBC 2 on Sunday ) presented by Simon Reeves will feature Brendon.
( The programme has now been shown so here is a clip from it. Do give it a look.)  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17857239