Saturday, January 3, 2009
3rd January
Well things are looking pretty good for us to start tomorrow. Tom's boat is finally fixed and he is out on the water now testing that it is water tight!!!! we have done all our packing so we know all the equipment fits, we have been sorting our food supplies we have sorted supplies for 45 days split into 3 blocks of 15. Two are going out by plane drop to islands off West Falkland.
Some of our delay in getting going has been sorting land owners permission, here in the Falklands you cannot land on any of the beaches without permission. The last couple of days has seen us ringing 79 different land owners, mostly with a very positive and helpful response not only to landing by to visiting them as well.
We are slowing getting into the swing of the fast weather systems here, with barometer watching being an art. We have got used to taking sun hats and lotion, down jacket and waterproofs every time we step out side. The big bonus is with all the wind there are no midges and it seems that dispite the high ratio of sheep to humans there are no sheep ticks on the islands.
well hopefully the next blog will be from a remote area
Fiona and Tom
Friday, January 2, 2009
1st January 2009
well we kind of survived new year, a little hung over!!!!!
sorting boats and kit was the name of the game again. There was also a really good chat with a guy called Pat who was skipper of the Tamar a local supply vessel he gave us loads of good information about currents on the West side.
The eveing was spend chatting to Lief Poncet a local sailing and kayaker the only person perviously to have manage to complete a circumnavigation and an alround great guy.
this is hopefully the final prep day with a hope that we will get going tomorrow or Sunday weather depending.
31st december New years eve
we spend quite a bit of the day sorting out our food supplies and packing them ito boxes to be sent to food drops, finding fuel and local information on local proceedures and tides.
We found someone from the camp who offered to repair Tom's boat so good news.
As a group of 5 with the other 3 kayakers we went out for diner before sampling the pubs of Stanley.
30th December
well on getting up this morning, not quite used to the timings and the sun rising at about 3.30 in the morning. We went and unwrapped the boats and give them the once over. Most seemed good unfortuately it looked like Toms boat had been dropped on the skeg box and had broken throught the hull so good glass work was going to be required.
We spend some of the day walking into town and checking out some of its history which was a great experence.
we have already experience the range of Falklands weather rain, gale, hail, sun with sun burn and thats all within and hour.
December 29th
Well after a long flight we arrived at mount pleasant airport. The quot of the day coming from the cabin crew saying there was a gail warning so please dont carry small children off the flight let them walk.
Chris from the other party had manage to get us accomodation at Hillside camp, so we are living in style with a good bed, lots of good food and fanstanic hospitlaity from the Camp staff.
well we kind of survived new year, a little hung over!!!!!
sorting boats and kit was the name of the game again. There was also a really good chat with a guy called Pat who was skipper of the Tamar a local supply vessel he gave us loads of good information about currents on the West side.
The eveing was spend chatting to Lief Poncet a local sailing and kayaker the only person perviously to have manage to complete a circumnavigation and an alround great guy.
this is hopefully the final prep day with a hope that we will get going tomorrow or Sunday weather depending.
31st december New years eve
we spend quite a bit of the day sorting out our food supplies and packing them ito boxes to be sent to food drops, finding fuel and local information on local proceedures and tides.
We found someone from the camp who offered to repair Tom's boat so good news.
As a group of 5 with the other 3 kayakers we went out for diner before sampling the pubs of Stanley.
30th December
well on getting up this morning, not quite used to the timings and the sun rising at about 3.30 in the morning. We went and unwrapped the boats and give them the once over. Most seemed good unfortuately it looked like Toms boat had been dropped on the skeg box and had broken throught the hull so good glass work was going to be required.
We spend some of the day walking into town and checking out some of its history which was a great experence.
we have already experience the range of Falklands weather rain, gale, hail, sun with sun burn and thats all within and hour.
December 29th
Well after a long flight we arrived at mount pleasant airport. The quot of the day coming from the cabin crew saying there was a gail warning so please dont carry small children off the flight let them walk.
Chris from the other party had manage to get us accomodation at Hillside camp, so we are living in style with a good bed, lots of good food and fanstanic hospitlaity from the Camp staff.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
We have met up with the Chris, Rich and Tim, the party of 3 we have been sharing logistics with to get to and from the Falklands as well as sharing local information. Thier blog site is seakayakingfalklands2009.blogspot.com
It feels like Tom and I are in the departure lounge on Tracey Island our Flight number is 'Romeo Romeo 3210' with an hour and five mins till take off. Tom is on good form he has already been lynched by security for taking photos of sensitive places. Next stop Acension Island sometime early in the morning.
It feels like Tom and I are in the departure lounge on Tracey Island our Flight number is 'Romeo Romeo 3210' with an hour and five mins till take off. Tom is on good form he has already been lynched by security for taking photos of sensitive places. Next stop Acension Island sometime early in the morning.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
I am now on my way back to the UK to meet with Tom, after leaving my lovely dog Jet with my parents in France. Tom and I will be meeting up in the morning before travelling to the airport in the after noon.
We have come across a couple of websites one which gives a good insight as to what we can expect to see in the Islands once we get there. The other is a site which gives a 6 day forecast which will give and insight into what summer conditions are like in the Falklands.
www.weather-forecast.com/locations/PortStanley1/forecasts/latest
Fiona Whitehead
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sponsors
Expedition supporters: The Outward Bound Trust, Nigel Dennis Kayaking, Lendal paddles, Extrasport, Eureka, Johnson Outdoors and Tiderace Sea Kayaks.
Donations
The potential cost of flight and Course fee for a three week Outward Bound Classic course is £3400, This cost has already been reduced by The Outward Bound Trust who have offered to support each student with a 50% bursary towards each course fee.
To give money to support the Young People of The Falkland Islands attending an Outward Bound Classic Course please send to:
Global Kayak Expeditions
c/o The Outward Bound Trust,
Ullswater Centre,
Watermillock,
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 0JL
(Cheques payable to: Global Kayak Expeditions)
To give money to support the Young People of The Falkland Islands attending an Outward Bound Classic Course please send to:
Global Kayak Expeditions
c/o The Outward Bound Trust,
Ullswater Centre,
Watermillock,
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 0JL
(Cheques payable to: Global Kayak Expeditions)
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