cabin fever
–noun
a state characterised by anxiety, restlessness, and boredom, arising from a prolonged stay in a remote or confined place.
After 7 months living fairly happily in our green wooden house in the Falkland Islands, I am ready for a change of scenery. The last few attempts I have made to get on trips have all been thwarted for a number of reasons and being the middle of winter the options were already pretty limited. Before we moved here I was used to being independent and footloose. Now, any trip out is a big undertaking depending on the weather, landowner, transport, fuel, state of alert on base and so on.
So our flight home is booked and packing is underway - civilisation, strawberries and sunshine here we come!!!
Friday, 29 July 2011
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Words on Weaning
My baby girl weaned last week at the age of 28 months.
It has been a long and winding road for us but also a beautiful journey of togetherness. I will miss every moment now we are done.
For me, breastfeeding was not a choice, it was something I was destined to do, as family have done before me, as long as the body was willing.
From the first feed in hospital when the midwife popped her on and she looked up at me with dark blue eyes, my soul was bared and a connection was made.
Wean Me Gently
I know I look so big to you,
Maybe I seem too big for the needs I have.
But no matter how big we get,
We still have needs that are important to us.
I know that our relationship is growing and changing,
But I still need you. I need your warmth and closeness,
Especially at the end of the day
When we snuggle up in bed.
Please don't get too busy for us to nurse.
I know you think I can be patient,
Or find something to take the place of a nursing -
A book, a glass of something,
But nothing can take your place when I need you.
Sometimes just cuddling with you,
Having you near me is enough.
I guess I am growing and becoming independent,
But please be there.
This bond we have is so strong and so important to me,
Please don't break it abruptly.
Wean me gently,
Because I am your mother,
And my heart is tender.
~ Cathy Cardall
It has been a long and winding road for us but also a beautiful journey of togetherness. I will miss every moment now we are done.
For me, breastfeeding was not a choice, it was something I was destined to do, as family have done before me, as long as the body was willing.
From the first feed in hospital when the midwife popped her on and she looked up at me with dark blue eyes, my soul was bared and a connection was made.
Wean Me Gently
I know I look so big to you,
Maybe I seem too big for the needs I have.
But no matter how big we get,
We still have needs that are important to us.
I know that our relationship is growing and changing,
But I still need you. I need your warmth and closeness,
Especially at the end of the day
When we snuggle up in bed.
Please don't get too busy for us to nurse.
I know you think I can be patient,
Or find something to take the place of a nursing -
A book, a glass of something,
But nothing can take your place when I need you.
Sometimes just cuddling with you,
Having you near me is enough.
I guess I am growing and becoming independent,
But please be there.
This bond we have is so strong and so important to me,
Please don't break it abruptly.
Wean me gently,
Because I am your mother,
And my heart is tender.
~ Cathy Cardall
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Midwinter missive
Well I have barely had chance to write anything this last month, due to a busy visit from Grandma and various other lame excuses.
Winter is now upon us here in the South Atlantic and we have had one main snowfall bringing a covering of about 3 or 4 inches and one major wind storm damaging one of the buildings here on base. Generally though the weather has been pretty benign and not unlike a UK winter. In between domestic and community activities I have been helping out with a habitat survey of the base, an unpaid endeavour to keep my hand in and help them achieve some understanding of which areas might be of interest conservation-wise and where invasive species might be a problem. The families' polytunnel is now assembled and internal plots have been allocated. We are now starting to furnish it with tables and growbags in readiness for the next growing season.
The Chilean volcano has produced an ash cloud which meant the MOD is nervous about flying the usual twice weekly airbridge, as the planes only have 2 engines. Unpredictable Antarctic weather currents make it difficult to forecast when a window in the ash is large enough to fly down here, turn it all around and fly back again, a process that takes up to 24 hours. Because of the disruption we went 2 weeks without post and access to fresh fruit although we managed to stave off boredom and scurvy with a trip to the capital for the midwinter swim when Big Man joined other lunatics for a dash into the icy surf, and then pretty much straight out again. The atmosphere on the beach was jolly and convivial, with bonfires raging in oil drums and hot food stands. Needless to say the military personnel here on short tours made up a large element of the numbers, as presumably locals all did it and got the t-shirt (literally) many moons before.
Our diet has become a little less healthy what with the lack of fresh produce but we are managing to provide enough fruit and veg from frozen and tinned. Retro puddings are often on the menu in our house; jelly with tinned peaches and evaporated milk for example!
The winter solstice (shortest day/longest night) 21st June began with a happy morning in our house as I realised the monkey had slept her first 12 hour stretch without assistance. It was a beautiful sunrise as if almost to mark the occasion.
A plane finally came in Thursday this week bringing fresh supplies and post, as expected the families shop was then reminsicent of Moscow circa 1983 with an undercurrent of grim determination and a long queue. It was a timely arrival though as this week a few people celebrated 'FIXmas' - a midwinter celebration to help us through the long nights and dark mornings. Several parcels arrived ('ho ho ho') bringing toddler craft materials and even a few toys for me. We were invited to a neighbour's house for a turkey buffet and drinks. It was even approaching a white FIXmas with a light coating of frost on the ground in the morning.
Winter is now upon us here in the South Atlantic and we have had one main snowfall bringing a covering of about 3 or 4 inches and one major wind storm damaging one of the buildings here on base. Generally though the weather has been pretty benign and not unlike a UK winter. In between domestic and community activities I have been helping out with a habitat survey of the base, an unpaid endeavour to keep my hand in and help them achieve some understanding of which areas might be of interest conservation-wise and where invasive species might be a problem. The families' polytunnel is now assembled and internal plots have been allocated. We are now starting to furnish it with tables and growbags in readiness for the next growing season.
The Chilean volcano has produced an ash cloud which meant the MOD is nervous about flying the usual twice weekly airbridge, as the planes only have 2 engines. Unpredictable Antarctic weather currents make it difficult to forecast when a window in the ash is large enough to fly down here, turn it all around and fly back again, a process that takes up to 24 hours. Because of the disruption we went 2 weeks without post and access to fresh fruit although we managed to stave off boredom and scurvy with a trip to the capital for the midwinter swim when Big Man joined other lunatics for a dash into the icy surf, and then pretty much straight out again. The atmosphere on the beach was jolly and convivial, with bonfires raging in oil drums and hot food stands. Needless to say the military personnel here on short tours made up a large element of the numbers, as presumably locals all did it and got the t-shirt (literally) many moons before.
Our diet has become a little less healthy what with the lack of fresh produce but we are managing to provide enough fruit and veg from frozen and tinned. Retro puddings are often on the menu in our house; jelly with tinned peaches and evaporated milk for example!
The winter solstice (shortest day/longest night) 21st June began with a happy morning in our house as I realised the monkey had slept her first 12 hour stretch without assistance. It was a beautiful sunrise as if almost to mark the occasion.
A plane finally came in Thursday this week bringing fresh supplies and post, as expected the families shop was then reminsicent of Moscow circa 1983 with an undercurrent of grim determination and a long queue. It was a timely arrival though as this week a few people celebrated 'FIXmas' - a midwinter celebration to help us through the long nights and dark mornings. Several parcels arrived ('ho ho ho') bringing toddler craft materials and even a few toys for me. We were invited to a neighbour's house for a turkey buffet and drinks. It was even approaching a white FIXmas with a light coating of frost on the ground in the morning.
Monday, 2 May 2011
Falklands Fayre
Fresh produce is scarce on the islands as although it is possible to grow things in sheltered areas and under cover, the growing season is short and certain things cannot be established such as fruit trees. They are not able to be pollinated as the wind blows the flowers and pollen away immediately and there are very few insects around.
The families here are reliant on 300 kg of fruit and veg coming on the plane each week and old onions and manky potatoes off the ship.
Other vegetables are often available in Stanley but at a cost. It is over £1.50 for half a bunch of celery and where the bunch has been bisected invariably there are brown bits which leads me to not bother.
When we first arrived and were stocking up on basics I was looking at jars of honey; it was £3.50 in the main supermarket so I walked on... it was £4 in the small store so I walked on. Then I found a plastic squeezy bottle for £2 and felt elated at my bargainous purchase.
Our price record however relates to bananas. They come in each week on the flight but not very many. There is an informal policy to only take what each family needs so childless couples taking 2 bunches are frowned upon. Well one week I was busy in the garden and didn't notice time had slipped by and I had missed the opening of the Families Shop. I went up anyway, forty minutes late and no bananas were left. I decided we could live a week without them, even though they make the perfect toddler snack. Then midweek Big Man was in town with work and dropped by the supermarket. Wanting to provide for his family he proudly announced he had got a bunch of six bananas when he returned home. I was pleased til I noticed the price sticker: £6.04.
Frozen stuff is plentiful but most of it is from cheaper brands so things like chicken in particular are not great quality. Contrast to the last house where fresh organic Bramley apples dropped onto our lawn, here I am making crumbles with Bramleys in a tin that have travelled 8,000 miles. However in the spirit of making do and mend most people manage fine and have adopted a more frugal approach to food that would be good to see back in the UK. A jar of pesto lasted us for a pasta meal, three toasties with mozzarella, two lots of salad dressing and some left over. Having the use of a chest freezer, breadmaker and yoghurt maker helps enormously too.
I have adopted available ingredients and come up with the following dishes - quorn korma; quorn and spinach pie with puff pastry; quorn thai curry; teaberry sundae (delicious berries acquired from the mountainside combined with going-out-of-date smashed up biscuits from the Naafi and some ice cream); diddle dee berry, blackcurrant and apple crumble.
On the plus side, alcohol and red meat are cheap and easily available. Yes, the rates of bowel cancer are astrononomical but people are oddly serene.
The families here are reliant on 300 kg of fruit and veg coming on the plane each week and old onions and manky potatoes off the ship.
Other vegetables are often available in Stanley but at a cost. It is over £1.50 for half a bunch of celery and where the bunch has been bisected invariably there are brown bits which leads me to not bother.
When we first arrived and were stocking up on basics I was looking at jars of honey; it was £3.50 in the main supermarket so I walked on... it was £4 in the small store so I walked on. Then I found a plastic squeezy bottle for £2 and felt elated at my bargainous purchase.
Our price record however relates to bananas. They come in each week on the flight but not very many. There is an informal policy to only take what each family needs so childless couples taking 2 bunches are frowned upon. Well one week I was busy in the garden and didn't notice time had slipped by and I had missed the opening of the Families Shop. I went up anyway, forty minutes late and no bananas were left. I decided we could live a week without them, even though they make the perfect toddler snack. Then midweek Big Man was in town with work and dropped by the supermarket. Wanting to provide for his family he proudly announced he had got a bunch of six bananas when he returned home. I was pleased til I noticed the price sticker: £6.04.
Frozen stuff is plentiful but most of it is from cheaper brands so things like chicken in particular are not great quality. Contrast to the last house where fresh organic Bramley apples dropped onto our lawn, here I am making crumbles with Bramleys in a tin that have travelled 8,000 miles. However in the spirit of making do and mend most people manage fine and have adopted a more frugal approach to food that would be good to see back in the UK. A jar of pesto lasted us for a pasta meal, three toasties with mozzarella, two lots of salad dressing and some left over. Having the use of a chest freezer, breadmaker and yoghurt maker helps enormously too.
I have adopted available ingredients and come up with the following dishes - quorn korma; quorn and spinach pie with puff pastry; quorn thai curry; teaberry sundae (delicious berries acquired from the mountainside combined with going-out-of-date smashed up biscuits from the Naafi and some ice cream); diddle dee berry, blackcurrant and apple crumble.
On the plus side, alcohol and red meat are cheap and easily available. Yes, the rates of bowel cancer are astrononomical but people are oddly serene.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Seabird Conservation
On holiday on Ascension Island we were lucky enough to witness the threatened green turtles making their way back to the sea after laying eggs on Long Beach, first thing in the morning.
Later that day at English Bay I spotted a turtle hatchling next to the rocks halfway down the beach. At first sight it appeared to be stuck so I decided to help it to the sea.
I popped it at the edge of the water and it started swimming. It had one slightly gammy flipper so wasn't making great progress across the pounding Atlantic rollers. I watched as the poor wee thing tossed and turned in the breaking surf.
As I watched the little black outline inch its way closer to the open sea a seabird flew straight down, picked it up, flew back up a few feet, then swallowed it whole!
Mortified, I consulted my bird book to find that the predator was a frigatebird, whose conservation status is also threatened.
Phew!
Later that day at English Bay I spotted a turtle hatchling next to the rocks halfway down the beach. At first sight it appeared to be stuck so I decided to help it to the sea.
I popped it at the edge of the water and it started swimming. It had one slightly gammy flipper so wasn't making great progress across the pounding Atlantic rollers. I watched as the poor wee thing tossed and turned in the breaking surf.
As I watched the little black outline inch its way closer to the open sea a seabird flew straight down, picked it up, flew back up a few feet, then swallowed it whole!
Mortified, I consulted my bird book to find that the predator was a frigatebird, whose conservation status is also threatened.
Phew!
Monday, 21 March 2011
Natural Selection
Apparently Charles Darwin was not massively taken with these windswept islands when he came to visit but there are plenty of creatures to see.
Here are some of my wildlife encounters so far:
Magellenic penguin
Variable hawk
Turkey vulture
Upland goose
Sealion
Gentoo penguin colony
Gentoo penguin in pond
Rockhopper penguin - a favourite!
Elephant seal
Two banded plover
Tussac bird
Gentoo penguin portrait
Here are some of my wildlife encounters so far:
Magellenic penguin
Variable hawk
Turkey vulture
Upland goose
Sealion
Gentoo penguin colony
Gentoo penguin in pond
Rockhopper penguin - a favourite!
Elephant seal
Two banded plover
Tussac bird
Gentoo penguin portrait
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Habituation
We've now been here seven weeks and seem to be part of the fixtures and fittings. I'm already involved with Mums n Tots, the families forum, conservation group and for now that is plenty. Our weekly routine has evolved into something manageable for all of us although Big Man has an ever-increasing workload, something his predecessor warned him about.
Our bungalow is located in one of five or six roads provided for families. It is a definite benefit not having stairs with a toddler in tow although she did fall out of the one step that leads into the conservatory twice in the first fortnight assuming the french window was shut and wanting to slam her hands on it. Oops.
It is a ten-minute walk or so to the amenities so as long as the weather is clement we are able to avoid using the car, at least so far while it has been summer. The play park is round the corner and the monkey has already mastered the smaller play equipment steps, tunnel, chain walk and slides as well as climbing onto the rocking animals. She also likes to hang out underneath the larger frames and play 'shops' with me, which is great fun, for the first two minutes at least!
Our garden is small but we are looking into getting hens, they are popular with families here as the egg supply is so dire and foxes are not present. Supplies of fresh produce in the shop are quickly sold out until the next delivery from UK
so in a step towards self-sufficiency I have already established the following in pots/grow bags/containers indoors: cut-n-come-again lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, peppers, parsley, courgettes and garlic. It is a boon being able to garden without fear of slugs and other pestilential creatures.
Our shipping is finally due to arrive this weekend and that will be a relief, I have missed having a blender, our Dyson, my hair straighteners (although in the wind one might ask 'what's the point?'!), her toddler furniture and toys, our photo's, our bedlinen and the rest of my clothes and shoes.
Our bungalow is located in one of five or six roads provided for families. It is a definite benefit not having stairs with a toddler in tow although she did fall out of the one step that leads into the conservatory twice in the first fortnight assuming the french window was shut and wanting to slam her hands on it. Oops.
It is a ten-minute walk or so to the amenities so as long as the weather is clement we are able to avoid using the car, at least so far while it has been summer. The play park is round the corner and the monkey has already mastered the smaller play equipment steps, tunnel, chain walk and slides as well as climbing onto the rocking animals. She also likes to hang out underneath the larger frames and play 'shops' with me, which is great fun, for the first two minutes at least!
Our garden is small but we are looking into getting hens, they are popular with families here as the egg supply is so dire and foxes are not present. Supplies of fresh produce in the shop are quickly sold out until the next delivery from UK
so in a step towards self-sufficiency I have already established the following in pots/grow bags/containers indoors: cut-n-come-again lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, peppers, parsley, courgettes and garlic. It is a boon being able to garden without fear of slugs and other pestilential creatures.
Our shipping is finally due to arrive this weekend and that will be a relief, I have missed having a blender, our Dyson, my hair straighteners (although in the wind one might ask 'what's the point?'!), her toddler furniture and toys, our photo's, our bedlinen and the rest of my clothes and shoes.
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