Skipping on the Helideck

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The Britishness of the Falkland Islands is very apparent - the islanders are British and are proud to be flying Her Majesty’s flag. The streets of Stanley are abuzz with Landrovers and Ford Transits and have a very British look with the terraced houses and well-groomed gardens. I was in my element in the FIC (the local supermarket) with its loaded shelves of penguin biscuits, Ambrosia rice pudding, and other sweet goodies that are typically only available on British soil…

I marched out of the store with an open packet of Galaxy Minstrels, I sat by the public jetty in Stanley’s large natural harbour and consumed them, then went to the pub for some pub-grub - fish and chips. I’ve also squirreled away many treats for the wild sea days that lie ahead of us.

There is definitely a bit of an upholstery regime going on the Falklands too – retro and very 70’s. The décor is faded, aged and worn, clearly furniture and wallpaper are tough to access in this far-flung overseas territory. I had tea and scones at a farm house on Westpoint Island – I loved the atmosphere and I loved the decorated cup and saucer.

The Black-browed Albatross

I hiked out to a black-browed albatross colony on the rocky shore of Westpoint Island. To see these majestic birds sitting on nests is amazing. The albatrosses only come to shore to breed, and, for the first four years of their lives, they do not come to shore at all – spending their years gliding in the winds and floating on the seas… Amazing birds!

Back on board

I skip on the helideck! Every morning in the howling winds, in the following seas, the snow, the rain, the fog. I skip and soak in the destination. It’s important to be – and not go. I find skipping a way of meditation and a great way to start the day…

I have glaciers and icebergs all around, penguins and whales, the sea and the fresh Antarctic air, and of course, my flying, feathered friends…

“Petit noir, petit noir.” Came the voice over the handheld UHF radio.

A few minutes later a few of the staff met at the café bar for an espresso (petit noir).

We all need our fix as we bounce up and down on M/V Ocean Endeavour - this floating platform of incredible consequence…

And so we venture onwards with fair winds and following seas…

Dave

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Comments

[D MJ Binkley]

Falkland islands
Love the colony....would be amazing to see.

[fer de lance]

Nice bird shot
Very nice bird picture guys!

[Crannster]

The caracara
Very cheeky these ones!