South Georgia

I have just returned from a once in a lifetime trip to South Georgia. First of all South Georgia is a small island 800 miles South East of the Falkland Islands. I managed to get aboard warship HMS Gloucester that was on a manoeuvre down there. It was all luck as the lady that was meant to go fell pregnant and she wasn't allowed so I was asked last minute. Mum and Dad were down here visiting so I had built in child care as Allen cannot guarantee to be around when needed.

So it took 3 days to get down to the Antarctic. Once we crossed the Antarctic Convergence Zone we were on iceberg watch, a bit scary but the crew worked like a well oiled machine it was amazing to watch. There were 21 guests on board although there were only 9 of us in the officers part. I shared a cabin with another wife called Mel. There were only us two as wives the rest were mainly service personnel. We were very lucky as we got on like a house on fire and did everything on offer.

I've included a photo of a glacier as we arrived in South Georgia, a beautiful sight. We stopped at Grytvikin which is where the British Antarctic Survey people are based. We anchored off shore for 2 days and I went ashore both days. I saw king penguins, elephant seals, fur seals and albatross. There's also a museum there, a post office, a whaling station and a church. We had a remembrance service in the church, a strange experience as when we had the 2 min silence I looked out of the window and saw 3 king penguins wandering past! Another of the photos is of me taking a photo of one king penguin in the snow. As you can see we had varied weather but it didn't stop us doing anything.

We also got to have a helicopter trip over South Georgia. I've put a photo in of the helicopter getting ready to go off the end of the ship. The helicopter ride was great, South Georgia is truly beautiful. We also stopped at Gold Bay where there was a colony of over 50,000 king penguins plus 1000's of elephant seals. They were all burping and farting so it was very noisy and smelly!

We finally stopped in Leith Harbour and then moved to Stromness Harbour. We got to go ashore again and sat amongst the fur seals that smell like skunks and are quite violent if provoked.

While on board we got major tours of the ship. I helped out in the galley and made cakes for 240 people - harder than it sounds. We had a go at driving too, more stressful than I imagined. So as you can probably tell I had a brilliant time. I couldn't have gone if it wasn't for Mum, Dad and Allen so I owe them a major thank you. They have also had rubbish weather since I've been away. I obviously missed everyone loads and felt really bad for missing Jacob's birthday. I will put some photos on from his birthday next! Didn't get sea sick at all which was good as it was pretty rough. Did see one bloke throw up so people were definitely feeling bad.

Off to Pebble island tomorrow so I will include some photos of Mum and Dad in the next post.

Hope all is well.

Rachael.

Half Term

Well we have had a week off and, as usual, it has flown past. We began half term at Race Point Farm. They have a 2 bedroomed self catering cottage so we stayed 2 nights. We ate with Michelle, John and Tahlia each night so it felt like more of a break for me! We all enjoyed our time away, Jacob and Abi loved the quad bikes - photos of Abi on her own and Jacob on with John. Jacob did drive the smaller one on his own too. Allen enjoyed the 2 long walks we did, one to the coast and the other up Finlay Ridge. I liked not cooking and meeting new people. I've put in a photo from the cottage. They had horses as well as cows and sheep so we've booked to go back in December so we can go horse riding.

On the way back to base we stopped off at Goose Green to look at the sheep shearing. It was not what I'd expected. They all shear in a long row and don't speak, it's so busy. They also cut the sheep quite a lot and just sew them up with needle and thread. It was pretty bloody. I wasn't keen but Jacob and Abi loved it. The shearers get 60p a fleece and it takes about 2mins to shear a sheep. It smelt of sheep dip, the sheep were very well behaved once they were flipped over. Glad I've seen it, I was thinking of doing a pre school trip to see shearing but I think it's a bit too bloody for them.

The last 2 days of the holiday were spent on base as the weather was good and the children were all playing out together. We were out for 2 nights, a leaving thing and a welcome one. Both good nights, one Thai and one Mexican.

Halloween dawned with Abi rushing in to our room shouting happy Halloween we opened the curtains to find snow on the ground and more falling! We'd decorated the house beautifully - thank you Auntie Wendy and to Jim for sending us bits and pieces that were all well used. Abi wanted to go trick and treating at 7am but, as she was off to a 5th Birthday party, I managed to keep her in normal clothes until 5.30 pm when we met up with 15 other children and Mums for a mass trick or treating. It was great fun except for the freezing weather. It snowed, hailed and rained on us during our hour out! Everyone came back to us afterwards for food and drinks, 30 people half of whom were high on sugar! It was brilliant fun though and everyone left happy, tired and full up! So the other photo is of us before going trick and treating.

Sunday was a clear up morning: 30 people made their mark. We then went into Stanley for a swimming party. They had a huge inflatable thing for the children to play on. Abi was fine until she bumped her teeth. She's lost one top front tooth already and we'll be off to the dentist again tomorrow as the bang has put it at a weird angle again. They had a brilliant time and Allen and I managed to go for lunch, lovely organic beef burger. Jacob was on the inflatable for the whole hour, he loved it.

So Mum and Dad will be here tomorrow, I'm very excited. My other bit of news is I'm off to South Georgia (near the South Pole) on the HMS Gloucester on Friday 6th Nov. I'm away for 10 to 12 days. I will miss Jacob's birthday and I wouldn't be doing this unless Mum and Dad were here to help out with Jacob and Abi. I should be taking some amazing photos down there. It will be strange seeing penguins in the snow and icebergs. I'm going to miss the kids and Allen loads, I've only ever done 2 nights away before but it's an opportunity of a lifetime so I'm taking it. Will post once I have some photos of the grandparents!

Rachael.

Another Celebration Assembly.

Hi Everyone

We've had another busy week which finished with Jacob and Abi's school Celebration Assembly. These are get togethers at school when the parents come in a see what the children have been doing and the certificates are given out. Jacob and Abi's topic has been about the Great Fire of London in 1666. They have learnt a lot and so have we! Did you know only 6 people died in the fire, even though most of London had to be rebuilt. Anyway, they were both in a play written by the children about the fire. Jacob was Thomas, the baker who was responsible for the fire, and Abi was his wife. They were brilliant and I've included a photo from their performance. Abi was brought in 2 days before the performance as 2 children suddenly went on holiday, so she was given a certificate for doing so well. They both got their smiley certificates - an ongoing reward system in their class. Jacob got his number 5 which meant he got a dib in the treasure box. He came back with a packet of jumping beans! Abi got her number 4 smiley. There is a photo of them getting these certificates too.

On Saturday afternoon we went to a Fun Day at Port Harriet - a field on the way to Stanley. It was very windy and strange. Not what we had expected. It was literally a big gathering with a BBQ, sheep and lots of Falkland Islanders drinking. Jacob did a potato and spoon race and won. Abi just jumped up and down on a big blue mat. We lasted 20 mins and then went back to the cafe on base for cakes! That night Allen and I went to Trafalgar Night in the Mess. A good night. I sat next to a Naval Officer called Alan Wilson and an Army Officer. The Navy bloke was nice to chat to but the Army officer was very Army. He's itching to go to Afghanistan even though he has 2 young kids and a wife, I don't understand it, but as he said, it's what he's joined up to do. He doesn't want to be down here, so funnily enough I found him hard to talk to. Had a fun evening though, never been to a Navy night before, lots of booze and singing. I was good and stopped drinking at the end of the meal unlike Allen who has suffered today. Allen has been good though as he took the children swimming with a hangover while I went to pre school. Had lunch altogether at the Mess and ended up in the cafe again!

Abi and I had an arty session this afternoon. We made plaster of paris magnet things and windmills, there's a photo of Abi with hers.

Busy with pre school stuff this week, half term the following week when we are off staying at 2 different farms.

Rachael.

Gappy Abi!

Hi

Abi has 'lost' her top tooth. It was loose but, with a helpful hit from Jacob, it stuck at a weird angle. It kept bleeding when she ate anything and looked very strange. Allen phoned our dentist (I have his 2 little boys in pre school) and, luckily, he had a free hour. So Allen took her up, I was actually in the gym, and he decided to pull it out. They did numb it but he pulled it out with his finger so it was pretty wobbly. Abi was very brave, Allen not so much - I learnt this from the dentist who I phoned to see what had happened. Allen and Abi went to the cafe afterwards and Abi managed a whole big cake so I wasn't too worried about her! I've included a photo of her on a friend's trampoline, dressed as a wizard with her gap showing.

Have also been to the Conservation Ball since updating the blog. It was a fun night. We even got our picture in the Penguin news = the only paper printed in the Falklands. I've been to book club, read one about a Chinese Dancer, very good, especially as I thought I would hate it! Also had a ladies dinner that was good too.

Had children for a sleep over on Saturday. They were very well behaved, except Abi. The 3 boys did as they were told but Abi was Abi really. She was up at 4am and, after I gave her a cuddle, went back to sleep until 6am - great fun. We were then at a 4th birthday party the next day and Abi lost it because she was so tired. Jacob went to the cinema with Allen; Allen had organised a Dad's day to see Transformers 2 - mainly for the dads I reckon.

Had parent conferences today. Their teacher gave them glowing reports. It was nice to hear that about Jacob as his behaviour at school last term was a problem. The worst thing about Abi was that she takes a while to get in from playtime because she is so busy talking to everyone on the way - wonder where she gets that from??!!

So Allen's out tonight with work, I'm off to a ladies drink thing Tuesday and it's Trafalgar Night Saturday so we're busy as ever.

Hope all is well

Rachael.

I've pulled a Tornado!

Hi

Well today I managed to pull a Tornado, not on my own of course, with a team of 10 ladies. It was a lot harder than I thought for, but we did the 30 metres in 2.07 mins. There were two ladies teams and we beat the other team. To start with the rope was very thick and rather wet. Next we were all a bit close together and I was worried I'd be treading on people's feet and thirdly it was extremely heavy! I've put in a few photos of the day. It was all for charity and was good fun. There's a party here today to say goodbye to the Tornado's as that particular type of fast jet has been decommissioned. The new type of jet (not allowed to put the name according to Allen) arrived last week, just another fast jet to me but everyone seems very excited about them.

I've also put in a couple of photos from Jacob and Abi's assembly on Friday. It was the school's 21st birthday so they had a party day. Jacob got another certificate and they both got one to commemorate the 21st birthday. Off ten pin bowling later as Jacob got his 20 star stickers. Tomorrow we are going to our first Conservation Group meeting. Jacob has joined for the year and it's a meet and greet session. Abi's off swimming with Allen. So lets hope the snow stops for our drive into Stanley tomorrow, yes it's been a snowy day here today. Hoping for sun again soon.

Rachael.

Planting and parties!

Hi

I have just finished doing some planting with Jacob and Abi. It's coming on for Spring now so as it's difficult to get lettuce I decided we should grow some. So today we planted tomatoes, from seed, a variety of lettuce, cornflowers, marigolds, basil, coriander and poppies. We don't get many flowers here either so I thought it'd be nice to try and grow some. I'll let you know what happens! It took us an hour and everyone and everything got very mucky. There's a couple of photos of the planting.

Jacob and Abi have been to a couple of parties recently so there are 2 photos, one of Jacob and Abi playing a games at Ben's 5th Birthday and one of Abi singing at Cara's 5th Birthday. They had fun at both but have got to learn that they can't win every game as we had quite a few tears after each game was played. They are now banned from the next party invite for being so silly.

We also went and saw Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs. It's an animated film, 3D in the UK but not in the Falklands. Jacob's been doing a behaviour chart at school and, if he got all of his stickers this week, he chose to go to the cinema. I was very cross after their behaviour at Ben's party but I had to take them to the cinema as Jacob has been a very good boy at school. Anyway I really enjoyed the film as did the children. It only came out in the UK cinema's this weekend so it was good we had it down here.

Abi's off in a minute for Smokoes at Darwin with a friend and Jacob and I are going into pre school to set it up for tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing Allen back tomorrow.

Rachael.

Well Done Jacob and Abi

Hi

Jacob got a certificate at the Celebration Assembly for a great start to year 2. He is now the eldest in his class and we're hoping his behaviour will remain as good for the rest of the year! Abi has learnt to ride her bike without stabilisers, she now hares around the circle we live on and is covered in bruises and scraps. My task is to now persuade Jacob that he too should be able to ride without stabilisers. He's fallen off a few times and it has really put him off. Any good ideas to get him going on his own??? Allen flew back to the UK today for a week, he hasn't got too much on his shopping list. Pre school is as busy as ever, up to 12 which is quite hectic! So the photos are off Jacob and his certificate and Abi on her bike.

Rachael.