Falklands question
 

Off to the Falklands this year.
Taking my camera, to visit all those sites that have made British military history.
Can any one tell me is the famous pool table or was it a one armed bandit still on the O's mess
Its just that I want to take some photo's of were all the action was.

All spelling mistakes are caused through w@nker dancing

I cannot remember much about the mess as I usually had strange and unexplainable eye-focus problems there, bizarre.

There is a reasonable amount to see there if you are so inclined, battlefields that look like, um, fields and stuff. The odd AC still sitting in a heap on the hilliside and that boat thing sunk off the shore. If you watch a field of sheep long enough, one will blow up - makes for a great photo "BaaaaHHHHHH..OOOMMMM!!!!".*

When I last flew back from the FI (a gazillion years ago), there was this Jap-o-norwegian tourist chap on the trimotor who had actually PAID MONEY to go to the FI so he could get some photos with his 8 cameras - I, it's, you,...he...wh...why...I..?

Vacuum, nay vacuum again.

MT

*Not just ANY field! You know what I mean....

....on my last (and it will be my last) trip down South, we had the pleasure of the Company of 80's pop legend Tony Hadley (ex-Spandau Ballet frontman) and gang. Made for an interesting few beers during unscheduled night stop ASI !!

If you are into the history of the conflict, some otherwise tedious days kicking round the "deathstar" can be made interesting by visits to Darwin, Goose Green, Bluff Cove, Mt Tumbledown etc (R&R Landrover and walking boots required) or Pebble Island (helicopter required!). If you go to Pebble, walk up the hill to the HMS Coventry memorial (well worth it). Around the airfield there, you will probably still find bits of Pucara, Mirage, Skyvan etc - that and the "H" Jones memorial at Goose Green I found pretty thought-provoking stuff.

There's also the British war grave at San Carlos Water-that's where 'H' Jones is buried and some other brave chaps. On the way to Goose Green there's the Argentinian war grave, which is pretty moving, especially when you see the ages of most of the guys in there. On a lighter note, there is a fantastic guest house in Darwin run by Bonnie and (forgotten his name). Serves the best tea and stickies. If you book ahead, you can go and have Sunday Lunch, which always smelt fantastic. The brassierie in Stanley is also good for a nibble.

I’d recommend a visit to the museum in Stanley as a good way to fill in a few hours. Have rarely seen so much stuff, from natural history to the 1982 conflict, all crammed into a small house. It’s a bit away from the centre of town but well worth the effort to get there.

Last time I was there in 2000 I had a good old mooch around the site of RAF Stanley, which is a short drive out of the town. Not much left to see now and probably of most interest to those who actually served there. If you do go its well worth looking at the panoramic photos that may still be on the walls in the reception at 12 Facility (?) first to see what it used to be like.

Somebody PAID to go to the Falklands?!?!?! How much would THAT cost?!?!?........and did he get an exploding sheep piccie with one of his 8 cameras?!:{

If anyone has pictures of the HMS Coventry memorial can I beg for copies, or scans? I run a memorial website at www.hmscoventry.co.uk as my father was one of the crew (thankfully a survivor).

Additionally.....................
 

I would suggest going to the Argentinian Cemetary for some perspective and Weddell Island if you like unspoilt, barely populated places with interesting wildlife. http://www.tourism.org.fk/pages/weddell-island.htm

I believe when I was in FI 2 years ago, the going rate for a return trip to FI on the tri-motor was about £1400. Would you believe that, unlike Easyjet it doesn't matter how far in advance you book you still don't get any reductions?

Argentinian cemetry. How many people noticed the difference between the grave for the officer and that of the other ranks? If anyone gets the chance though take up sub-aqua while you're down there. The viz is excellent, as is the fish life and there is some great wreck diving to be had. Even without diving on fairly recent wrecks!

WWW,

If you're interested. I have a list of wrecks around the Falklands, which I acquired one of the times I was down there back in the 80s.

It's about 8 pages long and has note saying it is an extract from a book compiled by D. J. Sollis, Master of the MV Philomel.

360,

The man in question did in fact pay to go - he had to pay for Tokyo - London - FI and back, seem to remember him saying it was in the order of 6 to 8k all in (judging by the cameras 'dripping' from him, I'd say the cost wasn't an issue for him). Never did see him again, so I don't know if he ever got a shot of Shrapnel Shorn the Sheep.

MT

Try 'THE' walk
 

One New Year, 3/4 of the Wokka crew (Capt decided he had some paint to watch dry) did the San Carlos to Goose Green 'tab' (amble ... as we had eaten to many pies).

Just something we wanted to do from a history point of view. We made it but I couldn't walk properly for 2 days afterwards and we got chased by a vicious strain of FI cow that prompted a rapid loading of a mini flare in self defence. Luckily the cow backed down!

Hats off and mucho respect to the guys who did it for real.

Speak to the SH boys (SAR or preferably the real deal) and you might be able to organise a drop off and pick up.

Enjoy!

Just got back, had a wonderful time, and endorse most of what has been said. As well as party-hearty, get out and about, up the hills and so on. It gives you real perspective on what the troops, the Para's and Booties in particular, achieved - walking across that awful terrain in winter, in crap kit, and still fighting and winning at the end. My respect to all who served in '82.

Most important - when you get there, make friends with the Wokka boys ask them nicely, and they'll see you right. Brintel's are OK too. Enjoy.

Roger Out

Thanks ORAC that would be good, I guess if you PM me we could sort it out that way. Been trying to organize an exped to dive round the FI (would have been the first pure exped to do it I believe). I'd got everything sorted out even down to a tacit agreement to borrow a kettle in Stanley. Unfortunately the head-shed in BFFI (run by a pongo at the time) said that the FI was an operational theatre and it was a no-go. Bit of a joke considering I took the wife and 2 year old down there a few years back while I was on det. Even more so when all I wanted off them was a couple of land rovers, fuel for them and food. Everything else was sorted from "other assets." I'm planning to try again soon with one of us in post and a dark blue suiter to replace him.