The lack of fresh food on the neighbouring island of Praslin and shopping trips limited by rough seas meant that there were often lean times for food, when the larder looked empty and the food stocks low. Alongside the sea, the Aride garden filled a huge gap in providing produce that would otherwise not be available. It was the biggest flat open space aside the village and was full of greenery.
The fruit trees overhung the paths; the papayas lined the back edge, and the bananas were dotted amongst the open grassland areas. It was a very important source of fresh vegetables for our diet; in the UK it was a novelty to have home-grown, on Aride it was a necessity.
With plentiful sunshine and damp tropical climate, a lot of the produce was fast growing and we all soon reaped the rewards of our gardening labours with very sought-after fresh fruit and vegetables. The supply of fresh fruit was the same and it was a real bonus to have an abundant selection of pineapples, papayas, guavas, oranges, grapefruits and limes on the island.
'Survival in the Seychelles' tells the culinary challenges of living on a remote island with over a million seabirds and other tropical wildlife. Wet your appetite with 'Island to Island', due to be published 23rd August.
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