And not because it’s a slow news day but because Guinness have deemed St Helena’s favourite son Jonathan an ICON.
Regular visitors to these musings will know that we keep a close eye on Jonathan’s movements, which being a tortoise, are naturally very slow.
Go on then, you see how far you can walk when you get to 194.
There are some superhumans, of course, who will probably be plying their craft then, such as fellow inductee Cristiano Ronaldo.
As well as living legends Usain Bolt and LeBron James, the latter who has been holding court on Scotland’s golf courses and clubhouses these past few days.
And female powerhouses, serial gymnastic gold medallist Simone Biles, Paralympic swimming champion and Strictly dancer Ellie Simmonds and Brazilian legend Marta.
And those who will for ever be immortal such as Don Bradman.
A tortoise for the ages
Great men and women all, but not godlike status on St Helena, like Jonathan.
And what’s more Jonathan is happy to mingle with visitors and will gladly agree to a selfie.
Particularly if you bring along some cabbage, lettuce, apples, bananas, guavas and maybe the secret of eternal life, monkey’s ears herbs.
Outside his home at Plantation House, the official residence of the island’s Governor.
Jonathan has seen it all
Of course, nothing very much fazes Jonathan.
As he has witnessed the evolution of modern society, including the arrival of cars, electricity, television, and digital connectivity.
More broadly, Guinness World Records recognises him as the oldest living land animal.
Now this tiny British outcrop lies 3,329 miles west of South Africa from where you’ll come in which, of course, we were set to do before Covid intervened.
Jonathan, of course, survived that, and seeing he shows no sign of leaving us any time soon, I dare say, and hope he will hang on until we do get there.
