Weather in Stanley

We have had quite a cold spell here in the Falklands last week.

The local press reported that 43 centimetres of snow fell in the week.

We had windchill of minus 15 degrees with average temperatures around minus 5 degrees. Not good!

Box filling is still ongoing. If I were going to take everything back to Scotland, I would have over 12 boxes. My thoughts last night were to limit myself to 6 large boxes and take no more....

I would obviously have to leave some stuff behind. It might be a good way forward and make me more determined to get rid of so much junk.

I have now sold my Mitsubishi Pajero to a fellow colleague. I will miss her! Thanks to a friend who has offered me the use of his second vehicle to tide me over for the next 5 weeks. Much appreciated...

Today is absolutely gorgeous outside. The sky is blue, no wind and temperatures of 3.9 degrees C. A heat wave!

We now have access to an amazing website giving all the local weather.

www.horizon.co.fk/weather/current_vantage_pro_plus.htm

Worth a look.

Leaving the Falkland Islands

I have only seven weeks to go before I leave the Falkland Islands. Where have the two years gone and how quickly they have passed!

I am starting to fill boxes and clean cupboards. I keep promising myself never to move again but then it just happens. I have two friends coming to visit the Islands before I leave. I'm looking forward to that as it'll encourage me to take one final look at all my old haunts and take me on a stroll down memory lane.

I have many precious memories of my time here and other memories I would rather forget! Such is life.

I have learned one thing. It is people that make a place.... The scenery is spectacular, the wildlife is enthralling, but the people still make a place. I'm going to miss some people here!

I have so much yet to accomplish before I leave these Islands. I must try and visit North Arm.

I spent last weekend at San Carlos. How I love that place. The final resting place of 15 British men who made the ultimate sacrifice for the liberty of these Islands. A cemetery is a place to ponder. There are no re-runs of this life. I think it's beneficial as a Christian to evaluate where I am in life, to examine my motives and question whether I am actually making any difference to those around me.

As I leave the Falklands, I ponder if my time here was beneficial to myself, my family and those around me in the Islands. Have I made any difference in the church, the Police Station, around my set of friends and in the wider community. Time will tell I suppose.

My South America trip is coming together. I will add a blog page soon with further details.

My fundraising is about to end for the Anthony Nolan Trust and my trek up Mount Aconcagua in Argentina. I am coming close to having raised £8,000. An amazing amount of cash. Thanks to my generous donors!

Anthony Nolan Trust

As some of you know, I am trying to raise some funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust. They have a register of potential donors who are willing to donate bone marrow.

http://www.anthonynolan.org.uk/

I am climbing Mt Aconcagua in Argentina in January 2010 in an attempt to raise £5000.

www.justgiving.com/dtwin

As part of my effort, the Commander of the British Forces here in the Falklands, Air Commodore Gordon Moulds (A Scot) has kindly given me a "Squadron Print" of all the aircraft that are/were flown out of Mount Pleasant Airport (Tornado F3. Hercules, VC10, Sea King and Chinook) which was signed by the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. She signed it at the Waddington Airshow which took place on the 25 Anniversary of the Falklands conflict.

It measures 17" by 12 ".

If you're interested in bidding for it, let me know. I hope to have it sold quite soon. You can email me at dtwin@btinternet.com with your bid.

The Malvina House Hotel have kindly offered to hold a Curry Night on Tuesday 30th June 2009 to try and boost the fundraising. Tickets have gone well with over 110 sold.

I also have a formal dinner planned at Government House courtesy of the Governor Alan Huckle where 23 guests will enjoy a sumptuous meal to try and raise some funds. This takes place on 17th July. All tickets are now gone.

If you'd like to donate, please visit the justgiving website.

Speak soon. D

The last 20 months!

I must apologise to all those following my blog for the lack of updates over the past 21 months. The time has flown by...

The "Falklands" have been an amazing experience in many ways and I hope my pictures on www.flickr.com/photos/709913/sets/ have been testament to this.

Some of the highlights:

I've flown with the RAF in the Hercules C130 around the Falklands.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/2628199927/in/set-72157605928844005/

They also opened the rear door and secured me in a harness to have a look outside

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/2629257298/in/set-72157605928844005/

They also flew me over South Georgia in a VC10

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/2741173936/in/set-72157606586445392/

and then decided to take me round East Falklands in the Sea King being used for Search and Rescue operations.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/2798852158/in/set-72157606957983105/

Wow!

Watching the Orca killer whales off Sea Lion must be near the top of the list in November 2008.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/3040036232/in/set-72157609211263387/

Had my good friend Brian Thompson across from Orkney. I was in awe of the Striated Caracara that decided to perch itself on Brian's feet as we lay on the beach eating our lunch.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/3033960965/in/set-72157609211263387/

The wildlife here really takes your breath away. Seeing the Variable Hawk within 20 feet at Estancia was quite something. It was quite unperturbed at me standing there with my camera and lense!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/3469063006/in/set-72157617137170283/

What more can I say?

What about people? Had the privilege of meeting Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne when she called into Stanley Police Station to open our new prison. What a wonderfully friendly lady.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/3388013308/in/set-72157615937594194/

Seen a number of people from the Western Isles over the past 2 years.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/3204494085/in/set-72157612886729084/

Saw the arrival of Murray Macleod, John Hay and Niall Johnston. They were in the Antarctic on a cruise ship and called into the Falklands for the day. Great to see them. Also had several visits from some Uist lads who were working on the local missile firing range outside Stanley.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/3445662187/in/set-72157616581568029/

Plenty Gaelic spoken over these few visits.

Also saw Mairi Macleod from Lewis after she returned from South Georgia where she was working as Base Commander.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/2018192105/

A visitor who left an impact was Gordon Buchanan from Ness. He was 3rd mate aboard the RFA Largs Bay which spent some time sailing around the Falklands. He originates from my neighbouring village and came laden with Stornoway Gazettes!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/3242005679/in/set-72157613144168305/

Gordon arranged a trip out to his ship and I spent several hours on-board. Great day out.

I also spent a day with the Royal Navy aboard HMS Manchester. They are spending some time patrolling the seas around the Falkland Islands.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/3501353314/

I returned to Scotland in September and October 2008 for a break. Had a wonderful time visiting family and friends and spent some time in Dubrovnik, Croatia with friends from there. Went scuba diving for the first time, which was one of the most amazing experiences ever!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/709913/2927534849/in/set-72157607897775117/

My time in the Islands is now coming to an end. I've met some awesome people here and have made some lifetime friendships. Time though to move back to Scotland.

I intend to leave on Saturday 12th September for South America where I hope to travel through Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Ecuador and Peru. Some sights to be seen.

Whilst in South America, I hope to climb Mt Aconcagua in Argentina for the Anthony Nolan Trust in January 2010. Please feel free to sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/dtwin

Well I better sign off. I promise to keep updating the site.

Travel to Falkland Islands

Left RAF Brize Norton on Thursday 7th September coming onto midnight. Flew onto Ascension Islands (9 hours) where we stopped for over an hour. The took off for another 9 hour flight to the Falklands. About 200 miles out of the Falklands, we were met by two military jets for an excort into the airport. An amazing sight.

I an my luggage were picked up at Mount Pleasant Airport by my new Inspector and Sergeant. Piled the stuff into the landrover and made our way to Stanley. The roads are part tar and part gravel and have a speed limit of 40mph. Trust me, thats fast enough!

It's about 35 miles to Stanley heading in a north-easterly direction. I arrived at Stanley Police Station and got quickly shown around. It's an old building desperately in need of refurbishment. This is planned within the next year.

I was then taken to my new flat! I have a flat within a complex owned by Falkland Islands Govt. One bedroom, kitchen, living room and bathroom. Very clean and pleasant. I have a ten minute walk to work.

Pictures are coming soon.

I had a weekend off and started work in earnest on the Monday.

Greetings

As some of you know, I'm hoping to emigrate to the Falkland Islands quite soon. This blog is to keep in touch with all my friends.

Keep looking for updates.

Donald