Midwinter fun, South Atlantic style.

[This is an intermittent diary of life in Stanley, Falkland Islands, South-west Atlantic Ocean.  This month commemorated the 31st Anniversary of the Falklands War, (see previous blog) and also encouraged some mad people to run into the freezing sea.....  There was also some snow.....]

"....Showing no fear of the hungry Sea lions, inquisitive porpoises, and the ever-present danger of marauding Penguins, that do roam this coastline and threaten our brave bathers!".  From the certificate I earned by running into the sea during the Midwinter Dip!

If that lilo blows away, next land is Antarctica....

The 'traditional' Midwinter Dip is just a bit of fun, allowing people to experience running into the Atlantic Ocean, while there are some bonfires and medical assistance available!

Roman Legion with prisoner....

Participants register, and receive a certificate and T-shirt for their fee, and the money raised goes towards some deserving local causes.   There's also prizes for the best costume, and this year there was quite a bit of competition.  Quite a number of people make the journey from the the military garrison at Mount Pleasant about 35 miles away.

Might need to turn down the central heating......

Several people wore the traditional swimming costume, but the big drawback with this is the lack of warmth it affords the wearer.  Although the snow had melted, the air temperature was barely above freezing and the sea temperature was around 3C!

Cool for cats....

So, some sensible people wore warm onesies, or similar costumes.  This keeps them snug while waiting for the start.  However, the obvious drawback with these suits becomes apparent when they get wet.....

Spectators keeping a sensible distance....

Not many people stay in for long, but to earn the certificate, one needs to get the hair wet. In the photo above, I can be seen to the right of the guy in black on his way out, still trying to get to deeper water.  I'm wearing a Harlequin's rugby strip..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequin_F.C.

Legionnaires debating how long to enjoy the waters...

After a few minutes, the blood flow to limbs reduces as the body retains it to keep the brain and torso warm.   You lose feeling in fingers and toes, feet and hands.  You know it's time to get out when your legs feel as if they are made of wood...

Time up for tiggers....

Although it was cold and wet, the weather this winter has been benign, so far.

There has only been on day of snowfall, and this caused the Midwinter Dip to be delayed 24 hours (to allow people to drive from Mount Pleasant in safer conditions).   However, it transformed Stanley streets for a day, covering them in a blanket of crisp, clean snow.

Most of the level roads parallel with the coast are gritted, and one or two hills, too.  But this leaves the majority of the steep roads closed to traffic.

Traditional transport in Stanley

And the lack of car and lorries provides a winter playground for the kids.  Luckily, it was a Saturday, so school didn't interfere with the enjoyment.

Christchurch Cathedral, in Christmassy mode.

The rest of the town looked like a scene from traditional Christmas cards.  In fact,  we defrosted some reindeer, and invited friends round for a FIXmas meal!  (Falkland Islands Xmas!).  Rudolph was delicious!

Victory "Green"

Dean Street under snow

The calm conditions have also provided several stunning sunrises and sunsets.

Pre-dawn display

These photos were taken from my bedroom window at about 8.30am, looking north-east.

Gulls waiting for dawn....

When gulls and vultures are on the roofs, it's usually because there is no wind for them to soar on.

Surf Bay, devoid of tigers, and Legionnaires.....

And now that Midwinter is behind us, we know that the days are getting longer, and that penguins, and other wildlife, will start to return in a few months to breed

More soon
Peter

Stanley's Civic Style

[An occasional look at life in the Falklands through the eyes of a recently-arrived visitor]

As I won't be updating this blog for a couple of weeks, I thought I'd post some more photos to give a sense of some of the main buildings in Stanley.  Some are historic, and maintained by the local Museum & National Trust, which is funded by the Government.    More detail below.
http://www.falklands-museum.com/

Gilbert House - home of the Legislative Assembly

Gilbert House is opposite the famous Malvina House Hotel, and next door to "Penguin News", the local weekly newspaper.  This is the area of the Dockyard, where the Museum will be moving to next year.  Much more central than its current location in Holdfast Road.  (When British troops approached Stanley on June 14th,1982, they stopped at the edge of town.  As the Commanding Officer was going forward to negotiate the surrender, nothing definite had been heard from the Argentine forces, so he told the troops to "Hold Fast" their positions, until he returned.  When the town expanded after the war, this holding position was commemorated in the road name.)

Town Hall and Post Office and  red phone boxes..

Next to the Dockyard is the Town Hall and Post Office and Philately Bureau.  Stamps are a major source of income for the Falklands, and the Post Office is a social hub of the town as everyone must go there to collect  and post mail as there is no delivery or collection of mail, which does lead some people to question why they need to buy stamps!!

The Town Hall also houses the Law Courts, the Registrar and a Dance Hall which is a popular venue for the many functions - The Winter Ball, The May Ball, The Operatic Society, and this week - Farmers' Week!

Police station and prison (maximum population, 4)

Not quite opposite the Law Courts is the Police Station, which was a key building for the invading Argentine forces in 1982, and, as a result, was heavily damaged by British Forces during the War.  Now, extensively rebuilt, it also houses a Prison which can hold up to 4 (four) prisoners in Home Office-approved accommodation!

Directly opposite the Police Station is the Standard Chartered Bank, which I have not been tempted to photograph yet.  You'll just have to imagine what it looks like, sorry.  It's a bank with no cash machines.  One has to go inside and talk to the teller if you want a service.  It won't catch on.....

"Royal Falkland Islands Police"

Prison, Police Station, Pedestrian Crossing, and Catholic Church

The pedestrian crossing on the main Ross Road was introduced last year, and has proved very popular with people wishing to cross the road....

Formerly Upland Goose Hotel, now cottages.

A few yards from the Police Station is a row of white cottages, called Marmont Row, but which were much better known in a former life as The Upland Goose Hotel.   This Hotel had an interesting role in the Falklands War and is mentioned by many of the correspondents like Max Hastings and Robert Fox, as a great place to catch up and compare notes.  During the War, Argentine commanders stayed there, running up large bills, which they paid for with the new currency - the Peso!

Where do you want to go?

Just to the east of Stanley, on the way to the domestic airport, is a tall signpost known as The Griffin.  So, this is the place to come to have your photo taken in front of the sign for your home town!

Distance to Llantwitt Major! 

We know a lovely Welsh lady who hails from Llantwitt Major, and a lovely place it is, too.  Hello, Karen!

About a mile past the sign-post is Surf Bay, scene of the recent Midwinter Dip.  Sorry to lower the tone of this edition, but I thought some may want an update on the Dip.

Midwinter Dip - huddle for warmth, anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fBF6cw8SN8

The above video was produced by the British Forces Broadcasting Service, from whom we get most of our TV and radio.  Quite a large proportion of the loons throwing themselves into the very cold South Atlantic  Ocean were from the Armed Forces.  Much more challenging than diving into the Med when you are based on Cyprus for a year!

If you're observant you might see me about a minute and 49 seconds into the video (standing beside a big bloke in a blue bikini!), and  my wife and I appear near the end at 6:21.  She wearing a very warm black coat, and me shivering on frozen sand.....

Hasta la Vista,

Peter