The wanderer returns

I cannot believe that, in less than a fortnight, I will be returning to the Falkland Islands.  I am not looking forward to the 18 hour flight. But I have loaded a number of games on the iPad. How mobile technology has changed over the last three years! I return with a little trepidation, but with enthusiasm too. I wonder how different it will be? And the cakes in The Oasis cafe, I wonder if they are still as luscious? Watch this space...

The End of my journey?

I've been wondering how to close off this blog now that I have returned to the UK. 
On 18th May my 'gozomie' box was delivered containing all my 'stuff' (all the heavy things and the majority of my personal effects).  It was reassuring to have the box but, at the same time, I was a little nervous about opening it ... I was sure I would get all emotional but I reckoned the best thing to do was to dive in there and get unpacked. Besides, I wanted to look at the gifts I had been presented with on my departure. I hadn't realised I had amassed quite so many souvenirs from my time there! Badges, leaflets, maps, t-shirts, a felted scarf (that looks like seaweed), a sheepskin rug, a mine sign mug and mousemat. And then there was the coaster given to my by the lady in the Pod gift shop when I left. Fond memories of my South Atlantic adventure. I have a new project which will be to make up a photo book only using the best of the pics... that'll keep me busy for a while... I've got hundreds to choose from! 
So what next? I was discussing this with a friend recently and heard myself saying the closing words for this blog. "I was met at the Airport by a driver and brought back here. The start of my next journey"...

Homeward Bound - 2 Apr 11

Ascension Island

Having left the Falklands on a bitterly cold and wet autumnal night it was surreal to arrive in Ascension seven and a half hours later to bright blue skies, silver blue sea and wall to wall sunshine. Even through the aircraft window you could feel the heat. This was a very quick snap as the aircraft descended quite quickly, so you can’t really see how green and lush the foliage is on the mountains. Our stopover didn’t seem that long, but long enough for everyone to start undressing. I peeled of a waterproof jacket, a windproof jacket and a fleece (it really was cold when I left!) to a t-shirt but could feel my skin puckering in the heat!! 

27 Mar 11 - You’re never too old for a ball pit!

We happened to be doing some weekend working and it was freezing. The temperature outside had really dropped and the wind was bitter. To make matters worse the heating had gone off. Despite having several warm layers on sitting at a desk doesn’t keep you warm. I work close to the Community Centre so I thought I would use my initiative and see if there were any portable heaters that could be used to warm our building up. There wasn’t, but look what I found! A ball pit, OMG I couldn’t resist having a go… and you know what? I warmed up in no time! Let me just warn you though, if you come down a slide face first you are highly likely to get friction burns on your arms! Yeah, ouch!!

The Griffin Geocache – GC2QJZ3

It was only a matter of time before I hid my own geocache. And, predictably, I hid one out here. I’ve chosen a location that is within striking distance of others, which was deliberate as I want it to be visited. If you want to know more, you will have to log on to geocaching.com!

Pleasant Peak – 20 Mar 11

I’ve admired Pleasant Peak from afar and often thought “I wanna go up there”. Sunday was an incredibly mild day, considering that it’s autumn, and I was out in just a short sleeved t-shirt, today was the day!

I didn’t find the walk too steep but shied away from scrambling up to the memorial on the highest crop of rock because I was out on my own and didn’t want to tempt fate. I found out later that that cross was in memory of two fire fighters that had died.

I returned back to the road, following the direction of the ridge looking for somewhere less high to climb up – I know, a bit girlie but I so desperately wanted to get up high. I saw a second cross and made a beeline for it. This turned out to be a memorial to two men from 205 Signal Squadron and two members of the Army Air Corps killed in 1982.

As is the custom, I signed the book at the memorial and cleaned the brass plaques on the cross, being careful not to catch my reflection when taking this picture!

Memorial Wood, Stanley – 20 Mar 11

I’d been told about Memorial Wood by someone who had been out here before and had recommended it for a walk. This was probably going to be my last visit to Stanley and as it was such a beautiful, crisp autumn morning now seemed as good a time as any. There is a tree planted for those from the task force and the three civilians that didn’t survive the conflict back in 1982. I found it very moving walking through the wood, reading the names of those remembered but was heartened by the work of the local cub scouts who have planted thousands of bulbs that come up each spring. It is a lovely setting overlooking Port Stanley and a very fitting memorial.