Out and about - at last - 25 November 2020 - No11

On Monday evening a police officer knocked on my door and gave me the news that I was free from Covid and would be released from quarantine at midnight.   Whilst I was tempted to leave the house at 00:01 I left it until around 5am to break the bounds and go for a walk.

Earth Station close to my home - where the ‘internet is received”

Ross Road aka ‘Main Street’ Stanley

Tuesday 24 November was my first day of attending work.  If my travel arrangements had gone smoothly, and I didn’t have to quarantine, my first day of work would have been 27 October.  Its strange to think that I’ve been on the payroll since then without attending work!

Where I work is close to the 1982 war memorial, near Thatcher Drive and the bust of the ‘great lady.’  The memorial to the late Prime Minister is on a neatly trimmed and well maintained grassed area in front of the Chief Executive’s offices.  She shares that location with a family of geese who happily gaze out on to the harbour alongside her.  My office is in a building known as ‘the shed.’

Anyone who has spent anytime in the Falkland Islands will tell you that you can get four seasons in one day.  On 24 November the four seasons cycled through repeatedly so I probably experienced at least 8 seasons in about 8 hours.  The weather went from mild and sunny through to torrential rain and a thunderstorm as well as increasing winds.  You have to go everywhere with a heavy duty raincoat and sunglasses!  I got soaked making the short journey from the car park behind the post office to reaching its front door.

Roxi is my Falklands buddy - its her job to introduce me to local life, and help me get registered with all local services.  She promised to show me penguins on my first day.  So after my soaking she drove me to Yorke Bay - and there, in the distance (and on the last beach cleared of land mines) were a small group of Rockhopper Penguins huddling together in the stormy conditions.  Frustratingly we could see the weather improving all around us - but not where we were.

My office is in the ‘shed’ - the white building behind the fire escape

Rockhopper penguins from a distance

The journey to Yorke Bay was fascinating and gave me an opportunity to view Stanley harbour from its eastern edge beyond the famous Stanley airport bombed by Operation Blackbuck Vulcan bombers (causing little damage) during the 1982 conflict.  Where I live on Sapper Hill I’m on the western edge.   The scenery is simply stunning.  The beaches are covered in almost pure white sand surrounded by a surprising mixture of sand dunes punctuated with rocky scenery.  

Now today, having learned from my mistake I had my sunglasses with me.  They were essential as I was walking around town as was my Barbour jacket!

The internet on the Falklands is slow and extremely costly.  I’ve already had to purchase another 13Gb for use at home for an additional cost of £190.  It is no doubt because of this that everything remains paper based whether its banking or applying for a Driving Licence.  You also have to turn up in person to apply for things.  

I registered with the hospital today and was offered a registration GP appointment tomorrow.  I had to decline as I will be attending the Legislative Assembly (the Falklands Parliament). 

Friday is set to be a busy day.  I’ll be receiving my cheque book and hopefully my driving licence.  In the evening I have a trip to Kidney Island - a wildlife sanctuary.