Bottom Of The World With Janice November 2016

Did You Know? - We were told that students are offered full paid scholarships to any university in the world they want to go to (and can get in).  In return they must return to the Falklands for a certain number of years.

Did You Know? - Stanley is named after Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, who never visited the islands.

Did You Know? - This curious collection of shoes on stakes can be found at what has become known as Boot Hill, several miles outside Port Stanley on the road to the airport.

Nobody seems certain as to how or why the shoes, situated at the side of Darwin Road, first came to be there. And like all good local legends, there are several versions of the story. One suggests that retiring airport employees leave a boot behind when they leave their jobs.

Another has it that an unfortunate man, presumably while tramping across the rugged moorland, had his leg blown off by a land-mine left over from the 1982 Falklands War between the UK and Argentina. Local lore holds that the man staked his redundant boot on the hilltop, and others soon followed as a gesture of sympathy.

The most commonly accepted explanation for Boot Hill, however, is more fanciful and certainly less grim. This one holds that the unusual collection of shoes were left behind either by visitors to Falklands, or islanders themselves as they depart the distant archipelago for a new life elsewhere.

Did You Know? - The Belted Galloway (colloquially known as an "Oreo Cow") is a heritage breed of beef cattle originating from Galloway cattle that originated from Galloway on the west side of southern Scotland. They are adapted to living on the poor upland pastures and windswept moorlands of the region. The exact origin of the breed is unclear although it is often surmised that the white belt for which they are named and that distinguishes the breed from the native black Galloway cattle may be the result of cross breeding with Dutch Lakenvelder belted cattle.

Belted Galloways are primarily raised for their quality marbled beef, although they are sometimes milked and purchased to adorn pastures due to their striking appearance.

Did You Know? - Home to over 3,000 Gentoo Penguins, a small growing colony of King Penguins, presently with 10 breeding pairs together with chicks and juveniles, Magellanic Penguins and an abundance of other spectacular wildlife; it is a beautiful pristine wilderness beach and can only be reached by four-wheel drive vehicles on an exciting safari.

Home-baking and delicious local flavors are served with live music in the legendary beach-side Sea Cabbage Café.

By the Café is the museum telling the story of the farm and Falkland life. So much more than just a penguin tour; it is also a fabulous combination of Falkland hospitality and the Islands’ characterful pioneering heritage. Enjoy adventure in comfort.

Did You Know? - King Penguins feed on small bio-luminous Lantern fish, which are too small to be caught commercially, so King penguins have not been affected by commercial fishing.

Did You Know? - Gentoo Penguin populations declined following the establishment of commercial fishing in the Falklands, but have since recovered as Gentoo's switched their diet to species not caught commercially. Gentoo penguins are very adaptable in what they can eat.

Did You Know? - The Falkland's has a remarkable system when it comes to grassland management. With its location 850 miles north of the Antarctic Circle, the islands experience cold harsh windy weather, with summer temperatures around 8.3ºc.

Combined with a low soil pH, this results in a short growing season, proving a difficult environment for vegetation to grow in. Despite the challenges, it may be surprising to know that a large proportion of the land mass is used for farming.

To overcome the poor environment, most farmers farm extensively. The average farm is often around 13,500 hectares, the huge size needed in order to make the most out of poor quality land.

Did You Know? - The museum displays range from penguins to pioneers and include the life of Falkland Island sheep farmers and the history of Bluff Cove Farm. Our resident spinner discusses the qualities of Falkland wool, local woollen crafts and demonstrates the spinning process. The farm exhibits also tell about the role of horses on Falkland farms, and about life generally in “camp” (the countryside); schooling, transport including the air taxis and coastal shipping, communications, traditional music, peat-cutting, Sports week and doctor’s camp visits.

Did You Know? - The delightfully decorated rooms in the Sea Cabbage Café offer a great setting for guests to relax and enjoy cups of tea, coffee or hot chocolate with some delicious home-baked cakes and cookies, whilst still enjoying the beach wildlife through the large panoramic windows. We have a traditional Falklands peat stove in the Café which means it is always warm and welcoming. We added to the wonderful Café atmosphere with live traditional music, with brilliant local accordionist Maggie Goss playing to our guests as they enjoy their cream tea. We have also had a wildlife artist in residence. We have our own selection of exclusive postcards for sale in the Museum, which guests can write in the Café and we will then post for them. Both the Café and Museum have modern restrooms.

Did You Know? - Situated towards the western end of Stanley on Ross Road, Government House is both the home and the workplace of the Governor of the Falkland Islands. Work began in 1845 to a design by Governor Moody. The central, stone part of the building was the original house. The first person to take up residence was Governor Moore in 1859. Subsequent Governors added to the building producing a curious but attractive mixture of styles and with great character and charm.

Did You Know? - The most southerly Anglican cathedral in the world, the iconic Christ Church Cathedral was consecrated in 1892 by the first Bishop of the Falkland Islands, Waite Hockin Stirling. This historic building features a cathedral tower with a ring of five...

Did You Know? - Christ Church Cathedral on Ross Road, in Stanley, Falkland Islands, is the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world, consecrated in 1892. It is the parish church of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the British Antarctic Territories. The Parish of the Falkland Islands is part of the Anglican Communion. The Rector of the Cathedral is under the ordinary jurisdiction of the Bishop of the Falkland Islands; since 1978 this office has been held ex officio by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is both ordinary and metropolitan for the small autonomous diocese. In practice authority is exercised through a bishop-commissary appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and known as the Bishop for the Falkland Islands.

Did You Know? - In the front of this church stands a monument—a whalebone arch, made from the jaws of two blue whales. The monument was raised in 1933 to commemorate the centenary of the British rule in Falkland Islands.

An image of the church is featured on the reverse side of all Falkland Islands pound banknotes.