Walking the Line – Episode 1, Part 1

I stepped out onto Montserrat’s familiar roads with Julian Romeo a few weeks ago. Julian is a native Montserratian businessman, some may even describe him as a political activist. Julian is also the brother to a former Premier of Montserrat, Hon. Donaldson Romeo. At the time of filming, the day was damp, the sun barely out, weather forecasts were predicting a tropical storm, or pssible hurricane to be in vicinity over the next day or two — Caar’s Bay might flood again? How bad will it be next time? This was a opportuity to catch up with Julian and pilot a new series that I’m figuring out called, “ Walking the Line.” - a documentary media series and community outreach project showcasing climate adaptiona, local knwoledge and creative solutions. Each episode aims to offer grounded, solution-focused insights, turning viewers in collaborators. When I briefed Julian on the concept, he didn’t hesitate to support me. (Thanks Brother!)

As we walked with my guest and volunteer at Fish ‘N Fins, MSc Sustainability Student, James Massey, the sound of water echoed in every corner Julian showed us. I’ve felt the rhythm of this island since I was a child, and yet each insight Julian shares—each bridge, each bend—is a reminder that adaptation here isn’t just about engineering, but about heart and memory too.

We wandered past the scars left by the volcano, the grave site of the 19 people who lost their lives in the 1997 volcanic eruptions. We joked about muddy boots, and Julian took a dig at what he thought was my poor fitness level, compared to his, as he pranced up the hills and towards the ghauts and calverts in the area - we were trying to beat the rains. We paused more than once to marvel at just how quickly flashfloods can try to swallow this little place whole. There’s a certain pride in seeing how far Montserrat has come, yes, but as I listened closely to Julian’s perspectives, I couldn’t help but ask myself—when the waters rise again, is it nature running wild or are we living in the echoes of our own decisions?

This episode is raw, barely edited and stitched together from:

• Our conversations about old and new drainage that just aren’t keeping pace with the flash floods

• The moments where lost wetlands and new buildings changed the landscape—and the risks

• Stories of quick thinking, near misses, and why every single person matters

• Honest reflections on what’s working, what’s not, and why a dose of humility sits alongside any engineering plan

  
  

As we walked, Julian reminded us that every culvert, every rooftop, and every patch of mangrove has its own tale. It’s humbling—and, sometimes, sobering—to realize the choices we make today ripple out, shaping the next flood or the next moment of safety.

Julian frames the nuanced situation as a complex mix: the community adapts as best it can given constraints, but also recognizes when poor decisions or limited expertise have led to greater challenges.

Next week, I’ll bring you into another debate that’s close to my heart and the hearts of many Montserratians: can we build livelihoods and security without losing the places and stories that make us who we are? The conversation will include planners, old friends, and the next generation—I hope you’ll walk with me for that too.

I actually don’t know yet what next week will bring. But watch Part 2, is now uploaded and you can watch it here.

I’d love to hear from you:

Q&A:

What did you think of Part 1 and 2 Ep.1 of Walking the Line? Thank you for taking the time to help improve my storytelling.

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