Lady Maairy’s Falkland’s Blog
Well I got here at last! Although my tortuous route took nearly 3 wks (which I think included a detour to Australia) and I have to say I was getting a little cramped – sheep have rights too.
My invitation was to visit Stephen Pointing, senior vet for the government’s Agricultural Department. However the delay in my travel plans meant that he left on his annual holiday on the same plane so we never met. Shame, but his loss really, and I can’t hang around for his return as i’m due in Scandinavia next month. Still i am disappointed as he promised me a visit to Ascencion Island on the way back, wherever that is, and now I’ll never know.
Instead i was looked after by his very helpful assistant, Mrs Sarah Bowles, here with me in this shot, and judging by the country’s crest they have their priorities right in this place, it’s good to see sheep being given their rightfully, prominent place on top!
I had thought sheep were the major industry on the Islands but with only 600,000 of my clan here, we’re even outnumbered by the 770,000 penguins!! (That’s probably why there’s so many on this poster!) Although we still outnumber the 2,500 human inhabitants by 300 : 1.
Sarah kindly showed me round the island (well a little bit of East Falkland anyway – I’ll look at the other 739 separate islands next time!!), and took me to one of their major sheep breeding sales
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I put in a bid for a most charming Corriedale (I presume named after our 2 TV ‘soaps’) Ram, but would have had trouble getting him into my travelling crate anyway. Apparently these and the Polworth are the most predominant breeds (although I’m sure a good old Scottish Blackface would do much better) on the 88 farms that cover the land mass – a total of about the same area as Wales!
Just time for a bit of relaxation before the long trip home, i hope there’s an executive class this time, and some wildlife sight-seeing. Apparently Tourism is the 2nd most profitable industry (after Fisheries with us poor sheep demoted to 3rd), mostly to see the aforementioned penguins but i was most impressed with the Elephant Seal – now there’s an animal that knows the benefit of a bit of blubber!
The shot below is me enjoying a pic-nic after a dip in the ‘old briny’, although this sea-grass is a bit coarse for my delicate taste and i can only hope the grass has started growing back home in Northumberland. Save some for me girls - I’m coming home!
If anyone would like to know more about the F.I. please visit www.falklandislands.com
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