Joined the school bus (longboat) on the 2nd run today. The Beach House is nearly completed, the yellow paint has run out so part of end wall will have to remain unpainted, it should be ready for occupation tomorrow. We started the day with a cup of tea to recover from the effects of a very wet bumpy passage, even though clothes were soaked so you could wring them out they dried quickly in situ and were quite effective in keeping us cool. The external boarding was completed yesterday (36 sheets)and we started on the internal ones which have to be completed today so they are ready to go up as soon as the roof goes on. Had only just completed the first board when I fell through the floor (well one leg went through) I caused a bit of a stir and needed help getting my leg out of the hole. Luckily nothing broken but the knee was grazed, swollen and quite painful, ankle twisted, and wrist when I put it out to break my fall. One of the volunteers (Ozzie Doctor) applied a pressure bandage and Loma (a lady from the village)brought some 'magic leaves' called Vau leka and a prayer and I re applied the pressure bandage over them. I was put in a chair and told to keep weight off it so that was the end of my work contribution for the day. Was quite surprised to see Chris arrive with a box of ice (they had sent longboat back to the anchorage for ice as there were no cooler packs in the first aid kit) the trip did not do his back any good as it was very bouncy so he opted to return to the boat on foot even though it was an hours walk.
Spent the day reading about the history of the island (it was an old leper colony) very interesting I must try and get the book although I expect it is out of print (Makogai, Image of Hope by Sister Mary Stella, SMSM.) The return trip was not as bad as we were not crashing into the waves and had to go slower because of engine problems yet again, we only got slightly wet which was lucky as we would not dry out as quickly after sunset. Chris cooked and I reapplied the leaves and bandage, they seem to have been very effective as although still painful there was not as much bruising or swelling as I expected.