Camogli Link 2019: Visit by Gianfranco Repetto
Report by Dawn Repetto, with additional photos from Aniket Sardana - Updated 5th March 2019
After an unusually long voyage, during which the MFV Edinburgh had to return to Cape Town for repairs, Gianfranco Repetto from Camogli, Italy, arrived at Tristan on the 31st January 2019 for an extended visit. Camogli was the home town of the sailors Andrea Repetto and Gaetano Lavarello, who decided to settle on Tristan after their vessel, the barque Italia, caught fire and ran aground at Seal Bay in 1892.
Gianfranco shares ancestors with the Repetto family on Tristan, and has had a long standing interest in the island. He has kindly helped to host Tristanians who made the pilgrimage to their families' original home between 2006 and 2015. These included Ian (Repetto) Brown, and Joy Stoffberg (née Repetto), who both now live overseas.
Gianfranco will be staying on Tristan until the MFV Edinburgh departs in mid March.
Gianfranco Repetto arriving at Tristan da Cunha on the MFV Edinburgh
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Gianfranco inspects relics from the wreck of the barque Italia, which brought his ancestor to Tristan. | Exchanging Camogli and Tristan plaques with the Admin, Sean Burns, over the Museum's Camogli display. |
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Dawn Repetto receives Camogli artefacts for the Museum, | Close-up of the headstone of Andrea Repetto |
Gianfranco visits the grave of his ancestor Andrea Repetto.
Gianfranco at the grave of Andrea Repetto's fellow Camogli castaway, Gaetano Lavarello
Gianfranco on a hike to The Base at Burntwood with Amber and Robin Repetto, and vet Aniket Sardana.
Gianfranco's Further Adventures - 5th March 2019
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Gianfranco's leisure activities included being taken out fishing with Aniket on the Sea Spray. He caught this Yellowtail. |
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Gianfranco was taken to visit the Thatched House Museum to see how his ancestors lived all those years ago. He brought cake he is eating in the left hand photo all the way from Camogli. |
Other typical Tristan activities included working in The Patches. Here Gianfranco is digging up potatoes.
Gianfranco with a good potato crop