Shops, cars and baby birds

Back to civilization and the bright lights of Stanley!  Shops, restaurants, cars, roads, new people, WiFi etc.  To be honest I was far less excited by all this than I expected to be.  However, I did have the use of a car which definitely was exciting, and it seems I haven't entirely forgotten how to drive and managed not to crash, so that was good.  I did forget that in normal life things have to be paid for at time of purchase (as in you can't just tick a sheet and have it deducted from your wages at a later date), and for this a wallet is usually required.  The first trip into town was less successful than it could have been thanks to the complete lack of any means of payment, but the second attempt went better and included the most amazing Eggs Benedict I've ever tasted.  I may not have missed shopping much, but I have missed going out for lunch.  Even if it's by myself and I feel like everyone is looking at me like I'm just a bit weird!  Surprisingly shopping was a minimal affair - mince pies, nice apple juice, some incredibly expensive nectarines, a t-shirt and a facemask (!) and it was all over for at least another month.  There are far better things to do in the Falklands than go shopping!

Sunrise at FIPASS

Lady Elizabeth at low tide

Magellanic penguins at Gypsy Cove

Incredibly (this being the Falklands and all), the weather was amazing for nearly the entire time we were alongside.  This meant there were plenty of opportunities to go running (I have REALLY missed running) and to sit in the sun watching the world go by.  I haven't been able to sit outside wearing just a t-shirt for quite some time now and it felt really quite wonderful to be outside feeling that warm.  I took many trips to see the penguins - running, walking with a massive camera (lots of baby birds to photograph), in a car for a quick penguin fix and with wine and a kindle on an evening stroll.  On a sunny day the Falklands really is one of the most beautiful places in the world so this blog mainly consists of lots of pictures.  I particularly like the fact birds in the Falklands don't really move much when approached by someone wielding a huge camera.  This kind of wildlife photography is ideally suited to my limited supply of patience!

Gypsy Cove

Magellanic penguins at Yorke Bay

One of my favourite places in the Falklands - no idea what it's called but the dunes are stunning

Falkland steamer duck chicks

Black-crowned night heron fishing

Small bird - probably a Falkland thrush

Upland geese

Black-crowned night heron chicks

Rock shags

The beautiful sunsets in these parts don't get any less impressive with time spent here, and we were treated to some stunning evening skies while alongside.  I've also found another use for the verandah outside my surgery and have taken to sitting out there wrapped up in many layers whenever the sun is setting on the right side of the ship. Slightly worryingly this does remind me of a scene in the film 'Shirley Valentine' where Pauline Collins is sat on a beach on her own talking to a rock.  I suspect if I find myself talking to the life raft which sits in front of the verandah at any point over the next 4 months it will probably mean it's time to get on the next flight home.

Sunset over Stanley

Enjoying the evening sun on the verandah

The final day in the Falklands was spent at Mare Harbour (military port) to take on fuel before starting the long journey south.  This meant there was time for a final run and a trip to Bertha's beach.  By this time the weather had deteriorated somewhat and the winds were up to about 25 knots heading out to sea.  The run to Bertha's beach is fairly exposed and the beach itself is covered in soft white sand.  With hindsight it would probably have been better to wear full length trousers as my bare legs got decidedly sandblasted on both the way out and back.  However, all minor discomfort was well worth it as the beach is home to Gentoo penguin colonies, and at this time of year that means fluffy and adorable chicks.  I left South Georgia about a week before the chicks were born which was more than a little disappointing, so to have the chance to see them here was an unexpected and much appreciated treat.  Running with my camera isn't a particularly enjoyable experience so photos had to be borrowed on this occasion.

Gentoo penguins and fluffy chicks with big bottoms (photo H. Venebales)

Braving the sand blasting ( (photo H. Venebales)