Two weeks in and we are settling in to the rhythm of life here. After several showery and overcast days it has become very warm again. For a week or so Phoebe was very low, and begged us alternately to get a dog, and go home! I think partly it's boredom. We are living with the contents of our suitcases, so the girls just have a handful of books and DVD's and a few small toys. Interestingly they are adapting. They are tiring of watching DVD's and are venturing out...

There is so much still to tell you about this place. I haven't said much yet about the people we have met and are getting to know. Debbie Wahle and her family have been a real life line for us from early on. While back home and still planning they were able to answer all our random questions about schools and shopping and lifestyle here, and of course Debbie was the one who met us at the port on the first day with daughter Mia. Debbie is the island's public sol...

Pilling is an adorable little primary school about half a mile from the prison in upper Jamestown. It's on the site of an old barracks, a two storey colonial building, with a first floor balcony. Lots of dark wooden panelling and creaky wooden stairs, high ceilings and reasonable size classrooms. Two year groups are together in each class, so Lottie is in year 1/2 class, and phoebe in year 5/6 class. The class numbers have traditionally been small but are current...