Neil Collier and Laura Wilson have become engaged, Laura having decided to leave the island. (0881578)

IF ALL has been quiet on the Herm front for a few weeks, there is good reason. In the worst November that any long-term residents can remember, we have been all but cut off from the world.

During the evening of Saturday 7 November, we were all hiding in the warmth of our houses from the blustery storm outside when there was an ear-splitting bang from most of our televisions, followed by a crash of thunder that had children racing from their beds. The sound was like that of an aeroplane landing on the roof.

It was obvious that there had been a direct hit of lightening somewhere in the island, and one family even witnessed a blue streak of electricity flash across their living room.

Luckily, the island is a tough old boot that has weathered many storms in its time, including the explosion of a Second World War mine that drifted up on the tide in 1952, leaving behind a ‘silent, shattered village’.

Amazingly, there was no damage to any buildings or barns, but it was soon apparent that we had lost our phone and internet connections, and at least one computer hasn’t worked since.

Added to this, the lack of boats between Herm and Guernsey due to the sometimes force 9 and 10 winds have left us feeling a little isolated the past few weeks.

During all this excitement, one resident left us and another managed to arrive. On Saturday 21 November, residents gathered in the Mermaid for the leaving party of accounts assistant Laura Wilson. Laura first arrived on the island 14 years ago as a seasonal worker in the Ship. A few years later, she moved over to the Admin office, where she has been ever since.

A year ago, Neil Collier came over to the island for the wedding of Mat and Katell Nicholl, where he met Laura at the reception. After a year of visiting each other back and forth between Herm and Reading, the couple became engaged, and Laura decided it was time to leave the island.

Just minutes into the start of the leaving party, news came through that pregnant resident Lesley Pimblett had gone into labour and had been taken over to Guernsey on the Flying Christine with her husband Chris. Luckily, Lesley’s parents were already here to look after their two-year-old son, Alfie.

The next few days were tense as all boats were disrupted by the weather. No one knew when Laura would actually be able to leave, or if Lesley would get back.

Finally, on the morning of Tuesday 24 November, Laura and Neil waved goodbye to the island where they had found love.

At the same time, Archie John (‘AJ’) Pimblett was delivered into the world by caesarean section, weighing 8lb 14oz.

It was a rough day also that brought the Pimbletts back to the island, little Archie’s first boat ride welcoming him to the unique lifestyle he will undoubtedly experience while living on Herm.