Update during Alan’s Visit

24th March 2011

All’s going well here, the Islanders have been incredibly supportive of the Baton’s visit and offers of help have been overwhelming.

After an 18hr flight on landing at 06:00 Saturday 19^th we were offered the facilities of the officers mess at Mount Pleasant to shower, breakfast and then get on our way towards Stanley. First stop was HMS CLYDE where we were warmly greeted by the ship’s captain, Carl Wiseman, and shown round the ship. After a brief chat about the Baton we were given lunch – the hospitality and interest shown by the crew was exceptional. From there en route to Stanley we visited 7 memorials at Fitzroy with the Baton, at the location we were joined by a young RAF chap and his partner who were there for the same very moving experience to see the place where the Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram were sunk.

The marathon went well on the 20th, clear blues skies, but with very strong head winds for two thirds of the run, which really sapped my strength, but I was happy to finish in under 5 hours. I had incredible support from Tim throughout the run and a young RAF member Kelvin Lea, who had never run any distance but thought he’d try, so kept me company all the way carrying the Baton as well. At 7.00pm we were invited to join the Cathedral service (that goes out to all the islands by radio) where the Baton was included in the service with an interview on the subject of the Baton and its aims.

Monday saw us out with the Baton at the remote Pembroke Point to visit the ATLANTIC CONVEYOR (a ship’s propeller) memorial, Hooker Point and the superb and new HMS GLAMORGAN memorial and finally a short yomp to Wireless Ridge to the 2 PARA memorial overlooking Stanley where we were joined by Geoff a 2 Para veteran from 1982. The afternoon was spent at the Senior School where Tim and I were invited to taIk to the schools assembly on the subject of the Baton, which was televised as part of an ongoing mini documentary of our visit, from the senior school on to the Junior school to do pretty much the same, both schools were presented with Baton pennants. In the evening all who took part in Sunday’s event were invited to the Islands Governors Residence, where we were pleased to hear the Governor mention the Baton’s visit but very surprised to hear that I’d cut his and his family’s hair in the past.

Tuesday Tim and I, joined by fellow marathon runner Hugh Marsden from Exmouth and Teslin Barkman from the Penguin News ran with a team from the Junior School to the Senior School where we were joined with a team of seniors to run to the Mount Tumbledown memorial overlooking Stanley and the scene of very fierce fighting in 1982. The run finished with a short climb and in total was a good 8 miles, which helped to stretch our legs from Sunday. On completing the run at the Stanley Memorial I gave out inscribed Baton medals to all the children and teachers who took part, the feedback from the schools has been wonderful and very encouraging. In the afternoon Tim and I had a private two hour meeting with the Governor, Nigel Haywood, where I presented pennants from the people of Honiton and from the Baton.

Wednesday and at the time of writing this on Sea Lion Island, the flight over by an Islander was interesting, to see Albatross skimming the waves below you as well as other birds the stuff of documentaries. On landing we immediately made our way with the help of Jenny, the manager of the Sea Lion Lodge, to the HMS SHEFFIELD memorial, there to lay the Wooden Pebble in memory of Darryl Cope. The location of the memorial and reason why we were there became intensely moving, but our duty was done with a moments silence as we looked out to the sea beyond.

We have enjoyed so much support and encouragement whilst in the Falklands that it will be hard to say goodbye, but long term friendships have undoubtedly been forged, now I’m looking forward to seeing what the next week in this amazing place will reveal. Finally I must mention and thank everyone who have helped us to achieve our aims and for the many messages of support.

Below are pictures of the Pebble for Darryl Cope being laid at the HMS Sheffield Memorial

Below are photos of Alan, Kelvin & Tim climbing Sapper Hill during the Stanley Marathon & Alan presenting the pennants to Nigel Haywood, the Governor of the Falkland Islands