Thursday, October 12, 2023

Well, Well, Well… A New Willmore Adventure Begins on the Island of Mauritius.

It’s been a whirlwind of a season for the Willmore’s. We packed up our life in South Africa at the end of June, spent a wonderful 5 weeks in the UK with family and friends (despite the weather), and then embarked on our new adventure to the Indian Ocean Island of Mauritius in August. Now, at 2 months in, we’ve caught our breath, started to find our feet, and relax into our new life on this remote tropical island.

A view from the top of La Tourelle,
the mountain that we live on.

I have to admit that it has been a bit more stressful than I had anticipated it would be. Despite the allure of paradise beaches, picturesque mountains, and a warm climate; without family or a network of friends, this adventure has presented us with an unexpected challenge, that of overcoming loneliness. Who knew that in our early 40’s and after almost 14 years of marriage, Laurence and I would have to re-friend each other to survive? I thought that was a task reserved only for retirement, but apparently it applies to those who embark on a new life in a foreign land as well. Thankfully we’re on the right track along with our 3 exceptionally resilient children Amelie, Elowen, and Joel, who are plunging themselves into choir, drama and coding clubs to settle in. 

Our house in Tamarin, in the West of Mauritius.

Day 1 at Westcoast International Primary School,
taken from our house overlooking Tamarin Bay.

Day 1 at Westcoast International Secondary
School.

Familiarising ourselves with our new surroundings has, as always, come with some surprises. To date the most memorable panic has come from Amelie at the sight of ‘the volcano erupting’ when an innocent cloud passed by a mountain. Had this been true it would have been exceptionally unlucky given that the last eruption in Mauritius was 20,000 years ago. A wonderful moment of naivety and a great laugh was had. 

The eruption!

Our second moment of naïve Willmore panic came when, on Elowen’s instructions, we went to see the Barbie movie. On entering the cinema and paying to watch, we started passing all the Barbie advertising in French. We had forgotten that living in a predominantly French speaking country the cinema might be out of bounds to us Brits. To our relief, it was in English with French subtitles, reflecting that the country has both English and French (as well as French creole) as their national languages. If you are not familiar with Barbie or the Barbie movie, Ken’s job is just ‘beach’. We have found this pursuit to be one of interest to ourselves too. Weekends have largely been dominated by relaxing on a beach or swimming and snorkelling in the picture-perfect turquoise waters; and weeknights have shown themselves to be a good time for picnics and beach games at sunset.


Laurence and Joel walking along the beach at Le Morne.

Playing and snorkelling in the waters at Le Morne.

A game of Petanque at La Preneuse.

Tamarin Beach for surfing at sunset.

La Preneuse for sunset.

There is definitely an enviable pace of life which we are adapting to with great relief and pleasure. Unlike Ken though, there is work to be done in between. Laurence is working remotely from home, I am studying to become a teacher, and the kids are at school (which sometimes requires doing some beach too!). We are certainly looking forward to more adventuring as we establish ourselves on the island.

Whilst we have been navigating our new life, we have still had our hands at work in South Africa. Our much-loved gardener, Shepherd, who over the years has set up a chicken farm in his homeland of Limpopo Province, needed one last piece in the chicken farm puzzle to truly make his business sustainable, and we were keen to help. It became apparent that without a consistent water supply from the government, and with the additional cost of buying water from the shops, profits were marginal and not able to support his family without Shepherd still working away from home in Johannesburg. With his dream to move home, he needed a water supply. In South Africa, it is common for people who can afford it to have a borehole drilled and fitted (which is like a well with a pump). At a cost of 2000 pounds, it was no small amount of money. We decided that if the cost could be shared amongst as many people as possible, Shepherd could achieve the impossible, and be the proud owner of a borehole. Amazing people stepped up to the challenge and I have my dear Army friends, school friends, Southampton buddies, family, and Laurence, to thank for raising the funds. With much trepidation, as the drilling doesn’t always find water, Shepherd’s borehole was recently constructed and is a success. With huge relief it is now providing a powerful supply of water at his property in Limpopo. It’s just so exciting. I’m looking forward to hearing about Shepherd’s move home this Christmas and how life goes for him and his family on the chicken farm thereafter. Thank you everyone who supported this venture.

Shepherd and the drill!

A successfully fitted borehole.

So, it’s been a bumpy start here in Mauritius on this new Willmore Adventure. The power of nature and our care for one another has thankfully kept us on track. And Shepherd’s success with his new borehole, made possible with all the support from the UK, has been an awesome progression in Shepherd’s own adventure too. No doubt, there will be more to experience and share again soon.

Lots of love and massive thanks,

Jess x

Some extra photos...

Amelie celebrating becoming a teenager.

Smashing a coconut open.
Was the half hour worth it?

Cross country success!


Family and Friends of Olde - A visit to the UK

The British Family Round Up.

Up the pub for a pint with Uncle Dan!

Up the park for a game of footie.

Visit to a theme park with Grandma.

At home in Caversham with my bro, Dan.

Lunch and games at my sister Han's and
bro in law, Rich's House, Worcester.

With my Uncle Gareth and mum, Carol, in the
 middle of the Hampton Court Maze.

A wet day in Wales...who would have thought...

At St David's, Wales. A favourite holiday spot.

The Clarke, Moloney Willmore Clan.

Standard summer BBQ in the UK

Camping with cousins.

With my sis, Hannah.

The Friends Round Up

Sleepover and games with Southampton friends.

The first time parents crew, Southampton.

The children in order of age.

With Sarah, another first time mum friend.

With Jo, a first time mum friend and
 brilliant neighbour in Shirley, S'ton.

The boys back together.

The girls back together.

Catching Sash's 40th in Robin Hood country,
with school friends Ellie and SJ.

With Emily, a school buddy and 
fellow England Lacrosse player.


Heartfelt Goodbyes in South Africa.

The Family Round Up.

Goodbye to Laurence's brother Gav and sister in law
 Gabs, at The Braai Room, Lonehill.

Goodbye to Granny and Grandpa John
 in Waterfall, Midrand.

Goodbye Gibson Family.

Goodbye to Granny Bev (whilst playing charades).

Goodbye Willmore/Algeo Cousins
and Laurence's sister, Robs.

The Jo'burg French Community Round Up.

Goodbye Lycee Jules Vernes, Morningside.
The best school ever!

Last ever Friday fitness with the French.
Solagnon, Ghada, Me, Saida, Guillaume 

Goodbye to my Friday lunch with the French.
Me, Saida, Aurore, Jaelle, Laurence.

Goodbye to Elowen's besties.

Goodbye to Joel's bestie.

Goodbye to Creche Gabrielle.

Friday's at Nice. Workspace and meetup, Morningside.

Goodbye to Old Crawford buddies. Me and Joel
with Chaza at the French school fete.

With Crawford buddies at the French school fete.

Goodbye English Speaking Friends Round Up.

Goodbye Mike and Yvette and the littlies,
 Laurence's buddies from School.

Goodbye meal with Amy and Travis, our American friends,
neighbours, and amazing dog sitters.

Goodbye to the American Twins.

A temporary goodbye to the doggies,
soon to join us is Mauritius.

Goodbye Wallys Hockey

Goodbye Westies Hockey

Goodbye to my amazing work colleagues
 at Riversands Primary School.

Take 2.

Goodbye to my first ever student.
 Fly high superstar!

Goodbye to our portacabin classroom and base.

Goodbye to Tari, the Buttercup owner in Cosmo.
Meeting here at the original Buttercup in Lonehill.

Goodbye Buttercup, Cosmo.

Goodbye to all the special Cosmo kiddies.

Goodbye neighbour Mia, and student of mine.

Goodbye Wesley Road, Lonehill.
Some happy moments shared on your stoep.

Goodbye to living under the beauty of a thatch.

Goodbye dear Shepherd. What a pleasure...