Greetings from the South Atlantic!

[BarryW]

It’s another damp foggy day in the South Atlantic. Should arrive tomorrow at Port Stanley and I am signed up to a coach tour of the battlefields. Hopefully I will have a chance to sample a local beer as well, I am told that they brew a nice porter and a light ale.

[Waspie]

It’s another damp foggy day in the South Atlantic. Should arrive tomorrow at Port Stanley and I am signed up to a coach tour of the battlefields. Hopefully I will have a chance to sample a local beer as well, I am told that they brew a nice porter and a light ale.

If anyone in Stanley complains about missing tv aerials tell them I'm sorry but they are somewhere in the harbour!!!
Enjoy the visit and the tour Barry.

[rickoshea52]

Curiously, George Sutton, the man who led an expedition to survey the interior of South Georgia, lived two doors up from me. I know because I tried to buy his house, it was packed with paintings, photos and memorabilia. Absolutely fascinating man, he wrote a book about his trip.

[BarryW]

A great day at Port Stanley
A bus tour of the battlefields then a pint of Iron Lady ale at The Victory pub.

[rickoshea52]

I’m very envious Barry, my father fought on Mt. Longdon and I’ve always wanted to see where he was. The RAF thought it much more fun to send me to Saudi Arabia for a four month detachment instead of the FI’s - no beer in Arabia

[Waspie]

Hope you don't mind Barry but a few pics from 86.
Stanley and the approach the ground forces would have fought over.


Stanley from the Sound.


A downed Pukara.


A few locals.

[Airborne01]

A great day at Port Stanley
A bus tour of the battlefields then a pint of Iron Lady ale at The Victory pub.

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There were only two bars back in the day as I recall - the Globetrotter and the (posher) Upland Goose.
Steve

[BarryW]

There were only two bars back in the day as I recall - the Globetrotter and the (posher) Upland Goose.
Steve

There are a lot more now. The population has grown from around 1800 to 3700 plus the military of about 600. I saw two pubs and a ‘party bar’ between where we landed and up the hill to the Victory. I am sure there are more. The Falklands is prospering and even their youth are mainly choosing to return after Uni (85%). They had some Zimbabwean mine clearers based there for some years, many decided to stay and live there after their contract. People love it there and I can see why.

[BarryW]

I’m very envious Barry, my father fought on Mt. Longdon and I’ve always wanted to see where he was. The RAF thought it much more fun to send me to Saudi Arabia for a four month detachment instead of the FI’s - no beer in Arabia

Full respect to your father. They certainly fought in some tough conditions. The territory they had to cross to attack Mnt Longdon was formidable.

[Valeron]

Loving the updates and photos Barry.

Mike

[spanner570]

Excellent pictures Barry. You are one lucky man.

I'm afraid my only claim to fame was shortly after the conflict was over, word went out for civvy tradesmen to go to the Falklands and help repair the damage.

I applied to go down there, but someone in authority decided they could rub along without another joiner! So I never went.....

Ron

[Jim R]

What a great experience you're having Barry.

[Waspie]

Excellent pictures Barry. You are one lucky man.

I'm afraid my only claim to fame was shortly after the conflict was over, word went out for civvy tradesmen to go to the Falklands and help repair the damage.

I applied to go down there, but someone in authority decided they could rub along without another joiner! So I never went.....

Ron

I never went there in 82. But in 86 I my ship was sent there for a tour as guard ship. What an experience. All that wild life that for a city boy like me would never see normally. I had a boss, (pilot), who was a geologist before joining the navy and we spent ages flying around looking at all the places of interest to him snapping away with his camera. Old glaciers, and rock formations.
The mine fields were still taboo areas and surrounded Stanley back then, still have a couple of aviation maps showing places to avoid landing. The locals were so friendly and tight knit. We would land at a settlement to check on them. Shut the helicopter down and we'd be grabbed, watered and fed. Freshly cooked lamb with spuds and thick gravy. Heaven. I can seriously see why people would want to settle there.
We should be envious of Barry's experience, a chance in a lifetime for many.

[BarryW]

Well our ship has had a minor prang in Puerto Deseado and needs some repairs. Looks like we will be here for a day and will miss the next scheduled port.

Had a run ashore yesterday with my son and had a delicious steak!

Anyway this sign amused me. I will say nothing more about it.

[BarryW]

Well we ended up stuck in Puerto Deseado for three days instead of the planned one day. On the second day the expedition staff organised some walks along the coast but, on the third, the Captain was hoping to get clearance to set off in the morning, that became 12.00, then 2pm, then 4pm and finally clearance was given at 7pm so all day had to be spent on ship.

The delays mean that two ports of call were cancelled and we are now off direct to Buenos Aires where we are expected to arrive at 2pm instead of the original 8am on the 21st. As I am flying home on the 22nd it won’t give me long in BA but I am planning to make the most of it!!

Cruise staff have been great though, delays not their fault but Argentinian beaurocracy.