Meet the Yorkshireman who bought his own tropical island
It’s hard to believe the price he paid.
In 1962 Brendon Grimshaw bought Moyenne island in the Seychelles.
Looking for a new direction in his life Grimshaw discovered Moyenne while on holiday.
“I knew the moment I set foot on the island that it was the right place for me.”
The uninhabited island was located in an untouched part of the Indian Ocean.
Brendon paid £8,000 for his own piece of paradise at the age of 36.
When he bought the island there was no electricity or running water.
He either saved rainwater or rowed back to the main island to collect a barrel of fresh water.
It was backbreaking, exhausting work.
Living on the island meant Brendon had to survive tropical storms, shark attacks, local wars and pirate raids.
But Brendon was committed to transforming the island into a natural paradise.
When he arrived there were no birds, so he brought ten from a neighbouring island.
Over the years Brendon encouraged over 2,000 birds to flock to the island.
He also attracted 120 giant tortoises.
The island was Brendon’s life and he was determined to create a stunning nature reserve.
Brendon even turned down a $50 million offer from a middle eastern prince. No money could separate him and his home.
The island gave him so much more than money. It’s a medicine that no doctor can prescribe: a real sense of purpose and meaning.
Brendon even convinced his father to move to the island.
In 2008 Grimshaw finally achieved his dream when the Seychelles government officially declared Moyenne Island a National Park. In fact it’s the world’s smallest national park.
In 2012 Brendon died and was buried next to his father on the island.
As requested, his tombstone reads, “Moyenne taught him to open his eyes to the beauty around him and say thank you to God.”
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