Sunsets & Stamps

[Random observations of my life as an incomer, in the Falkland Islands.  The next post will not be for at least a month, as we are on our travels, again.  Hope this, and the older posts, will give you an insight to the Falklands].

This week the weather gave us some wonderful displays and also some horrendous and unusual conditions.  As I write, the lightning is flashing across the overcast sky, and the rain is belting down.  "The risk of sunburn is LOW", as the optimistic radio weather announcer puts it!

The Corniche?  

 I do like unpredictable weather - I don't think I could live somewhere where you know for weeks in advance what the weather will do.  Here, even if it is sunny and clear, you always take a jacket, and warm layers...

Watersports.

So, as we in the Southern Hemisphere slip into Autumn, and I slip out of the country, heading north for a change, I'll leave you with a few images and impressions of Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands.
I've also seen a water-skier recently...  plus kite-surfers like this chap >
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5FhUStwb4I
You might see the wreck of the Lady Elizabeth in the background, and some dolphins appear after 30 seconds.

Evening light

 I've been showing a newcomer around Stanley, just to help her get her bearings, and also to show that not all penguins have disappeared.

Watching the penguins in the minefield

We were lucky enough to spot dolphins, but they were too far away for my little camera to capture.

Back from a swim

 Penguins are much easier to photograph, but I will practice on the dolphins.

I know what you're thinking..."Not another @#* sunset!" .  But they're all different....

However, I doubt there will be many more good sunsets for a while.  It's now dark by 6.30pm.

Lamplight at twilight

As an alternative to watching the skies, we now receive 3 terrestrial UK TV channels, (BBC1/2, and ITV) rather than the consolidated mishmash via British Forces Broadcasting Service, so we no longer see adverts aimed at the military audience on topics like PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder),  and what's on at cinemas in Germany and Camp Bastion!

Very southerly Nordic Walkers heading to strange cloud (or alien spaceship)

Unfortunately, we have also lost a fair amount of Sky Sports output, (which is a concern to cricket fans in the household), and also Game of Thrones.  Still, we can always look out the window if we want an interesting scene to observe.  The weather is rarely dull!

An official invitation (and  Falkland's marine mammals stamps).

"Mr P regrets....".   Sadly, I cannot attend this reception, but maybe I'll get another chance?    I do like the stamps here...New sets come out every other month (or so it seems), and most are memorable.  Let me know if you want me to send you a postcard (with a stamp!).  It might be the closest you get to a dolphin!

A scale model of Torres del Paine, or My First Pavlova?

One aspect of life that I've enjoyed here is having more time to experiment at baking.  While still very much a novice, I can at least try baking stuff I wouldn't even had considered 18 months ago - scones, bread, meringues, muffins, steam puddings,  and other  light options.

Not local fruit!

Last week, I cooked for some friends, and tried some South Georgia reindeer in red wine.  It was, even if I say so myself, delicious.  

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Sunday saw the regular Ramblers walk.  The plan was to walk up Smoko Mountain, but heavy fog at about 200 feet, meant that idea was swiftly abandoned.  Plan B was to walk up a lovely river valley (at least, I was told it was lovely!), and hunt for the elusive Teaberries, which reportedly were ripe for picking!

Rock slabs rear out of mist

Some of the chaps felt a more energetic walk was required so wandered round in the mist, and tried, sometimes successfully, to cross a fast-flowing stream.

Male walkers eagerly awaiting the return of the berry pickers to the cave....

We agreed to rendezvous with the Teaberry pickers for lunch in a lovely viewpoint (at least, I was told it was a lovely viewpoint), but lunchtime came and went with no sign of the other group.   It was at this point that I realised I had all my partner's food and drink in my rucksack......Oh well: waste not, want not!

The elusive and delicious Teaberries.

Possibly more worrying, it soon became apparent that our macho group also had all the maps, the GPS, and most of the mobile phones!  After what seemed like an age peering into the fog, we eventually heard familiar voices floating towards us through the gloom!  An old myth about a certain gender's inability to navigate was about to be dispelled!

Quickly diverting attention from the unequal distribution of equipment and food, we eagerly asked our companions how they had got on with the berry-picking.  Hurrah! A bountiful supply had been found!

Recipes for Teaberry muffins,  Teaberry pavlova and Teaberry vodka were exchanged as we walked back to the parked cars.

An enjoyable day out, despite the fog.
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End of an era?

A Public Holiday has been declared on the Falklands for Baroness Thatcher's funeral tomorrow.  The Islanders are very grateful to her decision to send a Task Force, 31 years ago.....

I hope the main London event, and the London Marathon, pass peacefully.  My thoughts are with the people of Boston.

Back in a month.

Peter

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