Falkland Islands Fri 30/3/07

Why would anyone go to war over these islands? They are bare of trees, cold and windswept. The harbour was full of rotting hulks and most of the beautiful beaches can't be used because of mines. The one that can be used is so cold that the water can only be swum in for about 20 minutes in mid-summer before you start feeling the effects of hypothermia. We had a 2hr highlights of Stanley and our guide was very enthusiastic and a very nice person but she had trouble finding any highlights for us to see. After she had shown us her son's house we stopped to see a 75 yr old gentleman cutting peat for us, the highlight was that the shovel had a hole in it to let out the water. However we did enjoy our day out and it was very interesting to hear about the war from a residents point of view. She pointed out the sites of several battles, but again one wonders why. After absorbing South America it was very strange to experience a little outpost of England complete with Government house, red letter boxes and fish & chips in the cafe.