Gypsy Cove

This little jaunt took me out to Gypsy Cove and Ordnance Point. Gypsy Cove is where the Magellenic Penguins burrow in the cliffs. They are very different to the other two species I have seen and you can't get close to these little fellas, unless they are coming back to their burrows.. Gypsy Cove was heavily mined, though most of the mines have been cleared you are not allowed on the beach as the tides and the sand moving could have moved the mines. But the scenery was breathtaking. 

The pathway takes you up on to Ordnance Point and there is an old WWII Vickers Gun here, still in pretty good nick considering the elements! If only I had my GPS with me today ... there is a geocache hidden here somewhere... that gives me another excuse to visit.

Boxing Day - Stanley Races

The racing events are a bit of highlight for the locals and run for the three days over christmas. One of my jobs has been to organise riders for one of the races. Great fun to do and the riders were all up for it. I've never been to the races before so was quite sure what to expect. And I'm still not sure I understand the betting system? there was a tote - no odds - so you don't know how much you've won until the race is over and divied up from all bets placed? Kids were standing on tip-toe to reach the window to place their £pound bets! Never seen anything like it. AND I lost me bet - I know, a fool and his money are soon parted!

Christmas Day

I can't believe that I have been here almost one month. The time really has flown by and I have to say that my best intentions to blog are sidelined with socialising and getting out and about at any opportunity! So my apologies to all my followers.
Had to work Christmas morning but was rewarded with a christmas box. You wouldn't believe how long it took me to get everything back in the box and close the lid! There's loads of stuff - all very useful for my geocaching ... and I've got some interested peeps down here want to come out caching with me!

New Island

I was priveleged enough to get a trip out with the conservation group to New Island. New Island is one of the furthermost inhabited islands off of West Falkland. The Island is now owned by a widlife conservation trust. But to get there I had to travel by helicopter. That in itself was an experience! Seeing the scenery from the air made me realise just how lonely and remote these islands are. Miles and miles of land the colour of straw, any patches of green are grazed by sheep. From air you could see where the ground has been scarred by the digging of peat. In comparison the East is very flat and the West is dramatic with cliffs that fall in to the sea. The sea is just stunning - I would describe it as azure blue. The beaches have white sand and where the sea is shallow the water is turquoise blue, it is truly breathtaking.

After planting blue grass we were taken to the Rockhopper penguin colony. these little guys are kool! and are, without a doubt, my favourite penguin. Rockhoppers - probably so called because they dont waddle like the Gentoo penguin - they jump. We also got up incredibly close to some nesting Albatrosses. Apparently they return to the same nest site and build their nest up each breeding year. So, the taller the nest the older the breeding bird. Regrettably the storm had obliterated some of the nests and there were groups of penguins just milling about - they only get one shot at a raising a chick each year.

The Weather - it's impressive!

The most dramatic thing to have happened this week has been the weather, even by South Atlantic standards! On Monday morning we were issued with a storm warning. At Monday lunchtime all doors and windows were to be closed and all bins secured - yup, batten down the hatches! By mid afternoon all non-essential staff were stood down and advised to return to their accommodation. Later in the afternoon/early evening we were hit with a storm, gale force 11 winds through the evening. In a peverse way it was quite exciting - the rain was tremendous. However, the excitement wore off when I was lying in bed with the duvet pulled right up and I could hear the building creak!! Would this be the night the roof was ripped off of our block??

Stanley - Battle Parade

This was a bit of a treat going in to Stanley to watch a parade.
 I've forgotten most of what I was told about the history, but it was WW1 and Churchill sent the big boats and guns down to the South Atlantic... and there was something to do with Admiral Graaf Spey. Google it!
It's a public holiday and all the locals were out to watch the parade. All the local dignitaries attended and I got chatting to two chelsea supporters! That cheered me up. At anchor was HMS Clyde so, Dad, this snap was taken with you in mind. She really looked a picture with her flags fluttering.

Goose Green

Check me out!

 I was taken to Goose Green community hall to watch the Royal Marine Band perform for the local community. 

What a surreal experience - to watch a marching band perform in a village hall, barely wide enough for the formation! So I was up close and personal and it was great!

 Chatting to the locals was a revelation. As soon as the band had performed the men folk disappeared to continue with lamb marking. Given that I have younger readers I will try to be delicate. They clip the ears, dock the tails and fit rings to the little boys ... over to you to parents!! 

Bertha's Beach

I've been out beachcombing with the conservation group along Bertha's Beach. We were driven down to the beach in 4x4's and from the surrounding scenery of dunes and grass with inland ponds I really had no idea what the beach was going to look like. But it was beautiful. Just miles and miles of flat silver grey sand, and the sand is very fine.
Our task was to collect litter. The youngsters had run off with all those picking up gripper stick things (d'you know the ones I mean?) which meant the grown ups had to wear gloves ... and because I had been mincing about ooohing and aaahing my gloves were like heavy duty cotton - and soon got very wet!
The surf was really noisy and I was thrilled to see some Commerson's Dolphins playing in the surf. Seriously, they were surfing! They were either riding the wave in to the beach, or dashing through the tunnel (just as the wave rolled to break) and only once did I see them leap out of the water. AWESOME.
We continued along the beach for a couple of miles and there they were - REAL penguins. They really are comical to watch coming out of the water. I walked up the dune to their colony - OMG do they stink! You really do smell them before you see them! They were nesting and I was lucky enough to see parents with eggs or chicks. I didn't get too close ... do you know how they deter intruders? They shoot pooh!

Greetings from the Falkland Islands

I can't believe I'm here! the longest flight I have ever undertaken previously has been to NYC just over 7 hours, so imagine that and then the same again. It was tedious... but I shouldn't complain because I got a seat up at the front in 'Pearl Class' which meant I got a chair that completely reclined so I was able to get some decent kip. However, I did sit up during the air turbulence, that was NOT a nice experience.
So far I have seen some sheep, some Upland Geese (which make great Pate apparently) and a huge gull. I've not seen any of the turkey vultures.. yet. They congregate on the roof of one of the buildings. And I've seen some weather!
My room is, erm, comfortable but the welcome back reminds us that we are living in 'field conditions'. so I can forgive the leaky shower and sodden floor for the view that I have from my window. I am not at all overlooked and look out on to some pretty rugged scenery. I pinch myself to remind me that I am in the South Atlantic and not on holiday in the wilds of Scotland.
I met the majority of my team on Saturday morning and they were very welcoming. Sadly our outing in to Stanley was weathered off. In fact, the roads were closed due to the wind, surreal! So I had an opportunity to unpack and get my room looking a bit homely. Can't wait for my comfy box to arrive, it's got all my toys in it!
The food is pretty good and, as you know, I have a healthy appetite ... but I really cannot do UHT milk! so I've been drinking a lot of coffee and am WIRED!
I've just had breakfast and there are less than a dozen sitting reading papers or using the WIFI hotspot. Not like last night, in the bar. I left them all to it ... girl's gotta get her beauty sleep!

Not long now (sigh)

Well, it's 2100 hrs and it's been a looooong day! I've spent most of today packing and juggling my baggage allowance between 2 large bags and 1 carry-on bag - I've already taken two small parcels to the post office and there another two lined up for him indoors to send out.
I feel like I am on the verge of something very exciting and will be setting off for the airport in a couple of hours, trying not to wobble!
Thanks for all your good wishes and words of encouragement, just have to keep my promise to blog ;-)