[password] rachel25,
[position] 33 25.622s 043 54.555w
[status] On passage from the Falklands to Rio de Janeiro
Not much progress north today. The wind has been playing a merry game with us. Enticing us with 7-10 knots,then petering slowly down to 3-4 knots, and just when we (or rather, I - Colin wouldn't stoop so low!) are about to give up and start the engine, the wind returns! Still, the novelty of a warm gentle breeze and bright sunshine hasn't worn off.
While off watch, we've been able to relax a little, and been reading about the Falkland conflict. We purchased 4 books while there. This is highly unusual for us, reluctant to burden the boat with non-essentials.
The first book, "Argentine Fight for the Falklands" by Middlebrook, avoids the sovereignty issue, and is from the Argentine military perspective. It's amazing to learn the Argentines thought Britain would not put up a fight, and only manned for the taking and administration of the islands. It would have been a much more bloody war, and perhaps a very different outcome, had the Argentines also planned for defence.
The second book "Doctor for Friend and Foe" is written by Jolly, who was a British medic in charge of the makeshift hospital at Ajax Bay. As the site was also used as a supply base, according to the Geneva convention, the hospital was unable to have a red cross status to protect it from attack. Consequently the building housed 2 unexploded bombs! During air raids, with immense professionalism (and courage), surgery continued on both the British and Argentine wounded.
"Fortress Falklands" by Bound, an islander, describes how these islands are still a highly manned garrison. The conflict,35 years on, is still very fresh in the minds of the locals, which is also what we found.
Happily, oblivious to all this madness, the penguins, seals, dolphins and albatrosses continue to live in these islands, their islands. The fourth book, "Furious Fifties" by Leroux, contains stunning wildlife photography, and is an absolute joy to browse through. It does and will remind us of the beauty of the islands we've left behind.
[speed] 5 knots
[heading] 55 degrees true
[weather] Wind NNW 10 knots. 0.5m waves. Sky 10% cloud. Baro 1012.
[END]