**dedicated and signed by author**
PREFACE
There is no semblance of topographical order amongst these pages, just pulchritude at random! All my pictures and their composition are carefully contrived to be balanced, and always with ambience and perspective. My chosen subjective poetry will seemingly enlighten or tantalise the mind of the aficionado! At least, I certainly hope so. I have personally taken all the pictures in this book spanning a period of almost thirty years during my numerous visits to St. Helena.
A commemorative philatelic section is included celebrating the Quincentenary. This is a special series depicting the earliest days of St. Helenas discovery up until 2002. My sincere object throughout this work, is to convey a substantive and valuable divergence of mood, character, unreal colours, darkness and light. My intention is to particularly impart the extreme beauty and the hushed solitude of a remarkable and remote place to be found on the face on this Earth. I believe it must surely reflect the consummate paradise of Eden. A deftness of touch?
My style is entirely my own. The Focus aspect is profoundly salient, and the poetry perception is purposefully enigmatic.
To seek a correlation between the picture and its poetic interpretation summons concentration, reflection and imagination. Even perchance, a sense of humour! A symphony of green perhaps or even an anthology in blue? Some may think the subjective poetry is somewhat remote, but then, so is the Island!
I hope, methinks, that my tome is an epitome and innovative hypothesis. It is all compiled in an unpretentious, yet beguiling field of precise and marked reference. Muse Reflect Ponder Contemplate Enjoy Rest Enchant. This is all in celebration of the St. Helena Island Quincentenary. 2002 is also the year of celebration for the Coronation of our most gracious Queen Elizabeth II who has reigned over us for 50 years. I invite intelligent judgement only. Ruminate, in perpetuum: The future isnt always what it used to be!