Falkland Islands - Part I

 Another Sunday, another Sunday Special.

As Second Mate (only 'second' as there were no 'thirds'!!) of the mighty 

Ocean Salvage Tug

R.M.A.S. TYPHOON

It was I alone who opted to go on leave on the first day of April 1982, and I who had a Pig’s Ear of a break and the same I who returned to the Portland Naval Base to find that I had missed the sailing of the afore mentioned Tug bound for the Falkland Islands.

While coverage was transmitted on both national and local news channels of the 40^th anniversary of the conflict, once again there was no mention of the very first vessel to be despatched from a UK port, that of the same Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service Ocean Tug Typhoon from Portland Naval Base!

Determination to visit those islands lay deep for 25 years but in 2007 we finally made the voyage. Here we show our own ‘feathered’ contribution and salute to those who did serve.

On the jetty were

ANTARCTIC TERNs

FALKLAND BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON
and an armada of

FALKLAND STEAMER DUCK
(female)

DUCKLINGs

FALKLAND STEAMER DUCK
(male)

hope you can make this out

TWO-BANDED PLOVER

BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS

AUSTRAL THRUSH

MEGELANIC OYSTERCATCHER

FALKLANDS GRASS WREN

BROWN-HOODED GULL
(adult)

The Kid Himself Reaching for the Stars

BROWN-HOODED GULL
(adult in flight)

PORT STANLEY
but never did get to the bottom of why this Pill Box, whatever, was in Argentinian colours??

BROWN SKUA

Distant view of the S.S. Lady Elizabeth (a.k.a. Lady Lizzy) we will attempt to do better!

RUFOUS-BELLIED DOTTERAL

ROCKHOPPER

PENGUIN

ROCK CORMORANT

FALKLAND's LONG-TAILED MEADOW LARK

ANTARCTIC PRION

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER

SOUTHERN ROYAL ALBATROS

BLACK-CHINNED SISKIN
(male)
and our own trusty steed lain at anchor the

S.S. DISCOVERY
from the company of the same name
Voyages of Discovery
(Bijou and Highly - Highly - Recommended and hope to see you again Next Sunday for Part II)