Sunset, sunrise and more horses....

The last month has had some great weather - mostly fine, stable and cold.  The main exception being the morning of Liberation Day (14th June) when the assembled troops, bands, Veterans, locals and visitors endured heavy, driven snow.  As usual, the weather was completely different in the afternoon!

Stanley Growers' Union Flag on dawn of Liberation Day

 I've had to scrape ice off the car windscreen most mornings, and on one occasion discovered that the ice wasn't clearing as it was mostly inside the car!

 The skies have been amazing, too.  Stunning dawns and sunsets most days.  And the night skies have delighted anyone who cares to look up.
For more details of what's up there, try here >  http://spaceweather.com/

Dawn, 9am,  28th June

This week has given the opportunity to see Mars (clearly pinkish to the naked eye)  and Saturn in the evening, and Jupiter and Venus shining brightly for an hour or so before Dawn (around 9am).

Venus and Jupiter in pre-dawn sky

 And while casually watching the planets one morning, we spotted the International Space Station, zooming across the sky at 17,000mph....

The start of 30th June

Below are various views of Stanley and environs.  As it is now July, I have a new month's allocation of internet usage and will not be able to use it all, so am loading up many photos this week, while I can!  Most don't need any comment from me.  Enjoy.

Silver lining

Dusk of Liberation Day

Bedroom view - west

Bedroom view - east

Liberation Monument

The Liberation Monument this morning at 8am, with Venus and Jupiter shining bright.

Two Sisters

Icy pond

A dusting of snow on the dunes....

Horses on common, near airport

Typical Falklands potholed road, near Stanley Harbour

Looking for food, but carrots are £1 each!

Stanley Harbour and hills in distance

Two Sisters

Liberation Monument

Lady Elizabeth sunset

The days are getting longer, so hopefully warmer weather is on the way.  We're off soon to warmer places in South America.  Back in August...

Happy Birthday tomorrow, Sophie - don't eat too many cakes!

Peter

The Sky At Night, and morning

Just a quick update as the skies have been amazing this week.  They have stayed clear, and there are 4 planets visible to the naked eye, some even after sunrise, which is around 9am.  And there is virtually no pollution, the Falklands being so far from any industry.   There are not even vapour trails from aircraft.  So, there are some positives to the long winter nights.....

Dawn over a remote British outpost

Jupiter and Venus are low in the east  before dawn, and Saturn and Mars are in the evening sky (sunset is around 5pm).

Sunset in June - midwinter

This morning, as I was trying to spot Jupiter and Venus, I watched what looked like a star traverse the sky above Stanley from west to east.


Talking to some locals, it seems that the Falklands is a great place to watch the International Space Station orbit the Earth at a height of 330 miles, and travelling at 17,000 mph!
http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/2010/06/04/how-to-spot-the-international-space-station/

Dawn Turkey Vulture

 And as the sun rose, the colours were breathtaking.  The photos can't do it justice.   Also appearing in the sky were the local Turkey Vultures, setting off to clean the streets and gardens.

Today's  dawn display

If you want to see the Space Station, this site might help -
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/view.cgi?country=Falkland_Islands&region=None&city=Stanley

You can change the city to one near you.  Hope you have clear skies!

Enjoying the warmth of the engine!

Somewhat easier to spot around Stanley are the scores of horses that graze on common land.  As I found, stopping near them sends them the signal that food is on the way, and it is tricky to get away again.  Some even use the the engine warmth to make up for the lack of coat!

I have a friend who loves horses, and she would be in heaven here.

Peter