Meet the Eastbourne woman who moved to remote island Tristan da Cunha

Kelly Green moved from Eastbourne to Tristan da Cunha, one of a remote group of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, which is 1,500 miles off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, in July 2013.

The whole island descends from seven families and has a population of 138 inhabitants.

It is only accessible by boat from Cape Town, South Africa, and the journey can take anywhere from a week to 15 days - depending on the weather.

There is just one shop, a pub and a school.

After going through a tough break up, the 32-year-old travelled to the island to visit her parents in 2010 as her dad was a diplomat posted there.

Whilst there, she met her future husband, Shane Green, 33, a carpenter, who helped her carry her luggage off the raft.

Kelly with husband Shane (Image: SWNS)

Shane had lived on the island his whole life. The pair hit it off and got together, with Kelly making the move to Tristan da Cunha permanently in July 2013.

They now have two children together - Savannah, eight, and Seren, 16-months.

Kelly says the island lifestyle is "a stark difference to the manic non-stop hustle and bustle of the UK" and is focused on communal outdoor living with "everyone living off the land and chipping in".

Kelly, who is head of the tourism board, said: “It’s like Emmerdale - but on an island and in a less dramatic way. We all know each other and what's going on in each other's lives.

“There is only one police officer on the island, and I’ve never had to call him.

“The houses are made of wood are susceptible to fires as they use gas cylinders to heat their homes.

“Sadly a few weeks ago my best friend’s house caught on fire, and everything burnt down.

“It was horrific - but luckily they got out with their dogs, and we will all muddle together to help rebuild the home.”

Shane with children Savannah and Seren (Image: SWNS)

In emergencies there is a metal gong which is hit continually to alert the island.

“I really miss going out to eat, there are no restaurants or takeaways and only one very minimal shop," said Kelly.

“Freight is extremely expensive but there are some home comforts, such as Hellman's mayonnaise, I can't live without and have ordered in from Asda."

Deliveries only come nine times a year on large ships- the cost varies as freight from the UK is a lot more than shipping from Cape Town.

A small crate from the UK can cost around £600 which is constantly increasing as global costs soar.

At the island pub - The Albatross - a handful of revellers drinking is considered a roaring night.

The island is considered to be the remotest inhabited island in the world (Image: SWNS)

“On a night when it’s busy there’s only five people in there,” said Kelly.

Kelly said her lifestyle is "traditional - in that the men go out hunting in the mountains and the women do most of the domestic tasks".

The islands’ main source of income comes from lobster, stamps and coins.

When it comes to school, the pupils are often in small classes - there are only five students in Kelly’s daughter Savannah’s class and 19 students in the entire school.

One of the year groups only has one person in them.

Kelly said: “The classes run up to GCSE and if children want to continue their formal education they often go to Cape Town or to the UK.

“We are an ageing population so want to keep our youngsters, but it can be very boring for them."

The men on the island go hunting in the mountains (Image: SWNS)

Luckily, the island was never struck by Covid, and they are awaiting the return of cruise ships to boost their tourism again.

The island has annual days such as “ratting day” where they set the dogs loose on the island to kill rats which are thought to have arrived on a boat.

On New Year's Eve the men get dressed up in scary masks and go around the village on tractors.

“It’s petrifying,” said Kelly.

“They will bang on your window and try to spray you with a garden hose.”

She added: “It’s a great place to raise a family. I love England but I can’t ever imagine living there again.”