It seems to be a week of disasters – whether it be the state of our kitchen renovation, planes falling from the sky, or tsunami alerts. And I have man ‘flu (well, a sore throat) so am feeling less interested in renovating at the moment.

Oops, please fasten your seatbelts

Yesterday one of the local planes failed to take off properly and crashed in the swamp at the end of the runway. That got the local bush telegraph working overtime.

Today we had the tsunami warning following the earthquake in Samoa. Again the bush telegraph had everyone moved to high ground. Luckily, our house is about 30 metres above sea level, so we just sat in the lounge eating breakfast, listening to the radio, and watching for the wave. Local boats had been moved off their moorings and were waiting in the middle of the harbour, which generated some interest for us to look at from our perch above the sea. And I sent texts to the world inciting widespread panic and general traffic chaos as I suggested all my dear friends and family should seek refuge at the top of the Sky Tower.

So the tsunami warning has passed, and it is raining, and I sit here reassured that the hole in the side of the house has been filled and the elements are being kept at bay. Which is good, because the last thing I want to be doing with my man ‘flu is mopping up water or nailing up tarpaulins.

And yes, it is still safe to fly to the island.