Sunday 20 Feb 11 – Geocaching on Wireless Ridge, Stanley

Uranus

The caches are hidden within the route that forms part of the Planet Sculpture walk. This is a scale replica of the planets in the solar system and starts at the Sun in Stanley, heading out towards Mt Tumbledown and then returns along Wireless Ridge and Moody Brook. It seemed like a reasonable walk from the route card, besides the sun was shining and I was sure my three amigos would be up for a spot of geocaching. When we parked up at Moody Brook the wind wasn’t as obvious as we would find it along the ridge! The first cache was under a mile away and our climb on to Wireless Ridge was fairly effortless. The easy spot was the planet Uranus which stood out obviously from the surrounding rocks. 

Neptune

We were looking for a cache hidden in a crevasse – but from the scenery where do you start?! The cache was located and we duly signed the log book. On to the next one… Neptune. Remember I said it was windy? The wind blowing along and across the ridge was cruel! We tried walking on the higher ground where the terrain seemed flatter but we were getting sandblasted! Where was the sand coming from??? The GPS didn’t seemed bothered by the rocks and we were so busy looking at the view and jawing that we almost walked past the planet Neptune. 

This one less obvious in its position in front of a jaggy crop of rocks. Cache retrieved and log book duly signed we dropped off the ridge for shelter from the wind as we headed off to find Pluto. The GPS was pointing over to Mt Tumbledown but when we reached the old road we decided to quit. We were still a mile away from the cache, with an uphill hike and a minefield to walk around. Pluto will have to wait until I do the Mt Tumbledown battlefield tour! And my three amigos? One geocaching convert and all three enjoyed the walk. I’d call that a success!!

Sea Lion Island

Tussac Grass

This island lies 10 miles south of mainland east Falkland and is the most southerly and isolated inhabited island in the Falklands. The island was originally a sheep farm. Nowadays most of the sheep have been removed which has meant the grasses have thrived providing breeding habitat for birds. It’s a small island about 5 miles long by just over a mile wide. About a fifth of the island is still covered by tussac grass which was the height of me in some places. Tussac grass is a native plant, each plant is made up of masses of long thin green leaves. These grow from a large fibrous pedestal known as a bog. The pedestals are made up of dry decaying leaves from years of growth. Some plants could be over 200 years old.

Elephant Sea

Aptly named the island is an important breeding area for Elephant Seals. There really are enormous beasts and, blimey, I thought that the penguins stank! Having watched them basking in the sun I was curious to see how close I could get – mindful of their bulk. Hmmm, not too close – it was as if they were waiting for me to creep up on them. As soon as I made my move, an eye opened and this incredible gargle from the back of the throat suggested I should “back up the truck!” Watching them sparring on the beach was like watching something from Jurassic Park. The grey stone cliffs overhung with tussock grass and these hulking great beasts sumo wrestling.

The Southern Sea Lion also breeds here. These sea lions were very docile and the majority were sleeping! Even asleep they seemed to be smiling. They have huge soulful eyes which water, from the salty water?

Sheffield Memorial

Further along the southern coast is the HMS Sheffield memorial. When we visited it was in need of a bit of TLC so we set about cleaning the plaques and the huge silver cross. Just below this cliff is a sea arch – the temptation to get close to the edge for that perfect shot was just too tempting (I was being careful Dad).

Sea Lion Island is also a hotspot for Orcas. I'm thrilled to have seen the fin of one! I know now why they are referred to as silent assassins. This huge black fin rose up out of the kelp as if it were testing the height of the tide against the rock pool before slipping silently back beneath the water. No more than 3 seconds but the image will remain with me to my dying day!

Darwin & Goose Green Battlefield Tour - Sunday 13 Feb 11

Argentinian Trench

Camilla Creek (from Trench)

I thought it would be a bit different to do a BFT with a local historian and was this ever the best thing to do! His knowledge was amazing, full of facts and anecdotal stories and he never repeated himself once! He has us captivated for four hours. The afternoon started with High Tea at Darwin House before we were collected and driven off road and cross country in his 4 x 4 towards Camilla Creek. The water looked pretty grey and I didn’t envy those engineers who would have had to have waded in order to build the bridges. For 2 Para it was then uphill. We were shown the Argentinian trenches and it wasn’t difficult to understand why they had been placed here. Their view was panoramic.

position of sniper

At Darwin Hill we were shown the site where the sniper had been situated that killed Col H Jones. An incredibly weathered metal post that, had it not been pointed out, you would never know it was there. The spot where Col H Jones fell is marked with a memorial and the plaque is gleaming, tended by regular visitors. Our tour culminated in Goose Green the surrender was negotiated. The British were only expecting 80 odd men to march out. They were met by over 150. More were to come and an additional 900 men surrendered. In all 50 Argentines were buried and 1200 POW taken. What I found most incredible was the fighting force of 2 Para and how a battalion of 450 men took on an enemy four times its size. The story didn’t end there for 2 Para. We were told how they remained in Goose Green to clear ordnance and war debris an action believed to have reduced combat stress?

What a fantastic afternoon, and there were left over cakes for the journey back to camp!

Sunday 6 Feb 11 – Sea Kayaking

Lady Elizabeth, Stanley

Agreeing to go kayaking with Tina seemed like a good idea at the time! Tina works with the Navy and was really buoyed up (no pun intended) to go out on the water. I’ve only ever experienced sea kayaking once before on the River Fal in Cornwall and I nearly stopped breathing with fear! So I was up for having another go. We got in touch with the adventure training centre and jacked up a date – which came around all too quickly for my liking. Not wanting to let anyone down, I was carried along by the momentum of the day and it wasn’t until I was getting changed in to my dry suit that I started panting and having my OMG moments! The kayaks were loaded on to the wagon and we were driven down to the sheltered water by the wreck of the Lady Elizabeth. The water was turquoise and the wreck obscured my view of the open water the other side … happy days! I’m glad I did it, if only to say I have paddled on the South Atlantic Ocean, but I really am a land lubber! 

Meeting the Falkland Islands Resupply Ship - Sat 5 Feb 11

I was up early to go aboard one of the tugs that was going out to meet the FIRS and bring her in to port. The idea was sound in theory, but the time that i needed to be in the port to be sure to be aboard before the Pilot was getting earlier and earlier! i've never been on a tug before let alone go out to sea to escort a container ship. The crew were very hospitable and made some delicious fresh coffee which was delicious, tasted like rocket fuel and very very welcome at silly o'clock in the morning! The heavy rain had eased a bit by the time we left port and we could make out the container ship in the distance. The tug made its way very quietly out toward the ship and, although i could feel the motion of the ocean, i was okay .... to begin with! Bump - the little tug juddered and the waves began to spray over her bough and on to the wheelhouse windows - me no likey! The crew, having spotted my colour changing, assured me that the party was just starting. i was now looking out the back of the wheelhouse window becasue the sea was flat calm in the wake, so i tried to keep my eyes on the horizon. and then i forgot all about my seasickness as we drew alongside the container ship. Within seconds the Pilot had hopped from the tug on to the ship through a door in the ship's side and we were reversing away awaiting his direction. We followed port side for a while and then, as the ship was manoeuvred in to port, played push me pull you with a second tug. You would not believe how quiet these tugs are! It was incredible to watch these little vessels pushing this humungus big container ship so gracefully. And then i went to work!.