0:00:03 > 0:00:05Deep in the South Atlantic Ocean,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08800 miles north of the Antarctic Circle,
0:00:08 > 0:00:12the Falkland Islands are one of the most remote places on Earth.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17The population of around 2,500 people,
0:00:17 > 0:00:20mostly descended from pioneer sheep farmers,
0:00:20 > 0:00:22are proud of their British links.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24But they also have a strong sense of what it means
0:00:24 > 0:00:26to be a Falkland Islander.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32The reverend Richard Hines has been an important part of this community
0:00:32 > 0:00:33for the past seven years.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35And as retirement beckons,
0:00:35 > 0:00:38he's savouring every last moment of his time here.
0:00:39 > 0:00:44It's been a wonderful experience to live in the Falkland Islands.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47There's something about the Falkland Islanders that I admire.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50They're independent and resourceful, they've had to be.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53It's winter in the Falklands,
0:00:53 > 0:00:57and over 30 years after the war with Argentina, the islanders' sense
0:00:57 > 0:01:03of gratitude towards those who came to their aid is as strong as ever.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Present arms!
0:01:05 > 0:01:07When somebody takes your country away from you
0:01:07 > 0:01:09and suddenly you get it back,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13it is very difficult to describe the emotions of that actually happening.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18And there's a vacancy at Stanley Hospital,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21and local doctor Beccy Edwards is torn.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25I always had the endgame plan
0:01:25 > 0:01:27progressing to the chief medical officer role,
0:01:27 > 0:01:29but it would mean quite a change to us.
0:02:06 > 0:02:07At this time of year,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10the waters surrounding the Falklands are icy cold.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Perfect for the many sea mammals who inhabit these shores.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Their layers of blubber and excellent circulatory systems
0:02:21 > 0:02:25allow them to frolic in the waves and wallow in the shallows,
0:02:25 > 0:02:27seemingly oblivious to the chill.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33Human beings have the same core body temperature as seals and dolphins.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36But without any of the adaptations to keep us warm,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40plunging into these sub-Antarctic waters is definitely not advised.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46But today, a bunch of foolhardy souls,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48including the rector of the Falklands,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51the reverend Richard Hines, are preparing to do just that.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Mid-winter in the South Atlantic, which means only one thing.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59At 11 o'clock this morning,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02at least 300, perhaps more people,
0:03:02 > 0:03:04very few of them Falkland Islanders,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06but visitors and mad people like me,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10will take a quick dip in the South Atlantic Ocean
0:03:10 > 0:03:13which today, I am reliably informed, is about four degrees.
0:03:13 > 0:03:19I'm getting myself all geared up - psychologically and sartorially.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Got my T-shirt on, one for the occasion.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Woolly hat to cover me with.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27No such thing as fashion police in the Falkland Islands,
0:03:27 > 0:03:28you dress to keep warm.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32My wellie boots because easier to slip on with socks
0:03:32 > 0:03:34when you're freezing cold and you want to get warmth.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39The secret is speed, layers, nerve.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45One person who isn't tempted by this annual icy escapade
0:03:45 > 0:03:47is Richard's wife, Jen.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Well, he's earning his Certificate of Lunacy
0:03:51 > 0:03:53by going for the mid-winter swim.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56And it is sheer lunacy -
0:03:56 > 0:04:00to immerse your body in the South Atlantic in mid-winter,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02you have to be crazy!
0:04:03 > 0:04:07- I'm away.- Bye, my love.- Bye-bye. I hope to see you again.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- SHE LAUGHS - Don't say that!
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Course you will! Rotter!
0:04:16 > 0:04:20Somebody told me to spread over my body vegetable fat.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22They were quite serious -
0:04:22 > 0:04:23they thought I should coat myself all over,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26a bit like I was going to swim the Channel or something.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30But Richard's not going into this alone.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Moral support is coming from Stanley vet
0:04:32 > 0:04:36and experienced mid-winter swimmer Steve Pointing.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38I don't think you can call it a mid-winter swim
0:04:38 > 0:04:41if you just run into the water and then turn round and run out,
0:04:41 > 0:04:46never having taken your feet off the bottom of the, you know,
0:04:46 > 0:04:47off the ground.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51So I like to say, I like to do half a dozen strokes of something
0:04:51 > 0:04:55or another to say I've actually had a...actually swum.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Rather than just run into the sea and run out of the sea again.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02I've never been swimming with Richard before, so I have no idea
0:05:02 > 0:05:04whether he's a good swimmer or not.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07But I'm sure he can manage half a dozen strokes and not drown.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09If not, I'll stand beside him and make sure he can do it.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- Good morning, Richard.- Good morning. - How are you?- I'm good.- Good.
0:05:14 > 0:05:15Are you a keen swimmer?
0:05:15 > 0:05:18I wouldn't call myself a keen swimmer, but I can cope.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20I can stay afloat.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Ooh, I don't like the look of all that spray.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- Bouncing up where we... - STEVE LAUGHS
0:05:26 > 0:05:28That means there's a bit of a swell on the ocean.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34The mid-winter swim is taking place at Surf Bay,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37the nearest beach to Stanley.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40And there's always a good turnout of soldiers from the nearby
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Mount Pleasant military base.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Do you know what temperature the water is?
0:05:45 > 0:05:48No idea, it's going to be cold, though, pretty certain of that.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52It's one of the top three community activities in the Falklands.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55You know, middle of winter, we've only got six hours of daylight,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57so go and do something obscure!
0:05:57 > 0:06:03'I've seen bear suits, I've seen soldiers with their mankinis on.'
0:06:03 > 0:06:06Uh, famously one year, there were a group of Gurkha soldiers down here.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09They had very small little swimming trunks on -
0:06:09 > 0:06:12I think about a dozen of them linked arms,
0:06:12 > 0:06:14nothing more than just their little swim trunks on,
0:06:14 > 0:06:18and they walked in together, marched slowly and they didn't flinch
0:06:18 > 0:06:20when they hit the water, went straight in,
0:06:20 > 0:06:22as you'd expect from Gurkhas.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27At this time of year, the perils of the sea can't be ignored.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31With temperatures hovering just above zero,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34sailors falling overboard have died after being immersed
0:06:34 > 0:06:36for only a few minutes.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40So, the mid-winter swim is not to be taken lightly.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51Stanley and East Falkland account for over 90% of the entire population
0:06:51 > 0:06:56of the Falkland Islands, but there's a local saying that west is best.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01And if it's the quiet life you're after, then this is the place to be -
0:07:01 > 0:07:04mile upon mile of unspoilt mountain and moorland,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07with only a few tiny settlements dotted around the coast.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Sheep farming still dominates the economy here.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14HE WHISTLES
0:07:14 > 0:07:19Critta Lee and his family run the island's largest farm at Port Howard.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25Critta's wife Beccy Edwards has lived here most of her life.
0:07:25 > 0:07:26Let's go and feed them.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30Come on then, Jessica, Daniel. Who are you going to feed?
0:07:30 > 0:07:33And their three children have grown up on the family farm.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38She loves milk, that's her favourite thing.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41As well as looking after their three kids
0:07:41 > 0:07:45and helping out on the farm, Beccy has another important job.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- Is there water in there? - Yep.- Agh!
0:07:49 > 0:07:54She's a doctor who works part of the year in Stanley and spends a lot
0:07:54 > 0:07:58of time travelling to see patients in far-flung corners of the islands.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04So Beccy's a frequent flyer on the government-operated air service,
0:08:04 > 0:08:09whose ten-seater islander planes hop from isolated farm to settlement.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16We're going to check your blood pressure today, aren't we?
0:08:16 > 0:08:19OK, Oscar, that's up a little bit today, not terribly high,
0:08:19 > 0:08:21but it is up a little bit today.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24'You end up seeing quite a few people for various bits and bobs,
0:08:24 > 0:08:26'they'll save up a few aches and pains and a few
0:08:26 > 0:08:28'bits and pieces for when they see me.'
0:08:29 > 0:08:31125 on 75.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35- So, that's- OK? Boringly normal. - Oh! I'm such a boring person.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37SHE LAUGHS
0:08:37 > 0:08:39I think this has got to be one of the highlights
0:08:39 > 0:08:41of working in the Falklands.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43I mean, the coming out on the campus, it's lovely,
0:08:43 > 0:08:45you get to see all sorts of people you haven't seen for a while.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49- Well, that's all right. Good for another year?- Yeah!
0:08:49 > 0:08:51'But they're a pretty tough bunch out here, really.'
0:08:51 > 0:08:54They're used to living in quite an isolated place
0:08:54 > 0:08:56with no access to medical care,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59so when they turn up, you do have to take them quite seriously.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02If they're saying they've got an ache, it must be quite a bad pain.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04I've cut myself on the shearer.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07You might need some antibiotics for that.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- Can you move your hands all right?- Yeah.- Yeah, OK.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15At the moment, family life comes first for Beccy.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18We've got some nice spuds here, some little gold nuggets.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21But there's a big change on the horizon.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Oh, I thought there were about three.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29The Stanley hospital is looking for a new chief medical officer,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32a position that would require her to live full-time in the capital.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Beccy is the first home-grown woman doctor on the Falklands.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42She would also be the first islander to be appointed to the top job,
0:09:42 > 0:09:46all of which makes it an opportunity that's very hard to turn down.
0:09:47 > 0:09:54I always had the endgame plan as being, hopefully one day,
0:09:54 > 0:09:56progressing to the chief medical officer role.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59But I thought perhaps that might be another three or four years.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02It's just all happened a bit sooner than I was anticipating.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04But it would mean quite a change to us because, obviously,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07I have to be in Stanley pretty much full-time,
0:10:07 > 0:10:11whereas at the moment, I am working a lovely, flexible time.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14The children would have to spend quite a lot more time in Stanley.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17And likewise, I'd have to spend a lot of time in Stanley without them.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20So, it would be not something to step into lightly.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23So, hopefully we can still keep the balance right for them,
0:10:23 > 0:10:27even if I'm in Stanley through the week and Critta and I
0:10:27 > 0:10:30are just sort of catching up at weekends, you know.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34OK, I admit that I can't eat it very quickly.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- Why can't you eat it very quickly? - Because it's got turkey!
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- JESSICA:- It's not turkey, it's chicken!
0:10:40 > 0:10:42SHE CLUCKS
0:10:44 > 0:10:48This time of year in Stanley has a particular resonance.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52The Falklands War was fought and won during the winter months.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56In many ways, the conflict was a turning point for the islands.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Since then, new opportunities and investment
0:10:59 > 0:11:03mean that the economy has boomed and the population has grown.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07But no-one will ever forget the sacrifices made by the soldiers,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10sailors and airmen who came halfway round the world
0:11:10 > 0:11:12to fight for their freedom.
0:11:15 > 0:11:1930 years on, there's a permanent military base on land
0:11:19 > 0:11:23and the Royal Navy also maintains a constant presence at sea,
0:11:23 > 0:11:28patrolling the waters around the islands, both to reassure and deter.
0:11:31 > 0:11:37HMS Clyde is an 81-metre offshore patrol vessel with a crew of 42.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41She's been on duty in the Falkland Islands since 2007.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45Lieutenant Commander Sarah Oakley is the ship's captain.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Pick up the 180 leg here, ma'am, and turn to port at the end of the leg
0:11:50 > 0:11:52to pick up the nav track to Stanley.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57What we're doing at the moment is we're getting ready to sail the ship
0:11:57 > 0:12:01round to Stanley as support of Liberation Day,
0:12:01 > 0:12:02cos it's Liberation Day on Saturday
0:12:02 > 0:12:04and we're going there to take part in the parade.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07And obviously act as a backdrop to all the events
0:12:07 > 0:12:09that are going on in Stanley over the weekend.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11So, my crew at the moment are running around,
0:12:11 > 0:12:13flashing up the engines, checking all the equipment on board,
0:12:13 > 0:12:15testing their radios, testing their guns,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17making sure they're all working properly.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21The time now is 1340 papa.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Good Afternoon, Clyde - this is the ops officer on the bridge.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Standby to carry out SOCs. Man overboard.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29SIREN WAILS
0:12:29 > 0:12:31We'll be at anchor in the bay in Stanley
0:12:31 > 0:12:34so any of the local population can go out and see us.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37We'll be there, it'll be very visual. And also we'll be able
0:12:37 > 0:12:39to interact with the community - they'll see us in the parade.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43It's a very friendly community, very welcoming,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46clearly very supportive of the military in general
0:12:46 > 0:12:49and the Royal Navy, and particularly HMS Clyde.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52The islanders see HMS Clyde as their ship,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54we are the Falkland Islands' patrol vessel.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58Going at a speed of 12 knots, it will take about four hours
0:12:58 > 0:13:02for the Clyde to travel the 45 nautical miles into Stanley.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05She's due to arrive at dawn on June 14th,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09which every Falkland islander knows as Liberation Day.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14On that date in 1982, British forces retook Stanley,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17ending three months of bloody conflict. And ever since,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20it's been the day the whole community joins together
0:13:20 > 0:13:23to remember and give thanks.
0:13:23 > 0:13:24It's something that we like to do.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Clearly, we look very, very smart in our uniform.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30Any excuse to get out our medals and parade around - we all like that.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Who can resist a sailor in uniform?
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- That's what I say. - SHE LAUGHS
0:13:35 > 0:13:37Romeo 195...
0:13:41 > 0:13:44At Surf Bay, the sun is shining
0:13:44 > 0:13:47but that won't help the near freezing water temperature.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51For Reverend Richard and his fellow mid-winter swimmers,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53the time is nigh.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54'How are you feeling, Steve?'
0:13:54 > 0:14:00Um, not too bad. A little bit cold, but it could be worse.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01It definitely could be worse.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03It's an interesting thought, isn't it?
0:14:03 > 0:14:05That in a couple of minutes' time,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08there are going to be 300-plus people undergoing
0:14:08 > 0:14:11sort of extreme trauma, physiological trauma.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- MEGAPHONE:- One minute to go, prepare yourselves.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17If you'd like to line up.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21It doesn't seem like too much fun
0:14:21 > 0:14:24when you're taking your gear off and getting ready to go in the water.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26You think, "Why on earth am I doing this?"
0:14:26 > 0:14:30But when it comes to the countdown and the screaming as you run
0:14:30 > 0:14:34towards the water, yeah, you sort of feel like it's fun.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- ALL:- Five, four, three, two, one!
0:14:38 > 0:14:40HORN BLARES AND ALL SCREAM
0:14:49 > 0:14:54It's hearing the shrieks of delight as people go in.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57It's watching the people's faces, most people's mouths open.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00I don't remember a lot after I hit the water.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03HE LAUGHS
0:15:03 > 0:15:06A few seconds later, and it's all over.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Mission accomplished, sort of.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10I forgot to do my swimming strokes!
0:15:15 > 0:15:18For some, it's so enjoyable, they don't want it to end.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21But most, including the new governor, Colin Roberts,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24are glad to be back on dry land.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Very refreshing, very Skegness, racing.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30But I think it's time to put on some warmer clothes.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34Do you know what? It wasn't too bad.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- MAN:- 'What about you, Steve?' - It was...invigorating.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- HE LAUGHS WOMAN:- 'That's a good word!'
0:15:40 > 0:15:41It was cold.
0:15:41 > 0:15:42- It was cold.- 'It was cold.'
0:15:42 > 0:15:45It was cold. We survived!
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Don't forget to pick up your Certificates of Lunacy.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- There you go, well done. - Thank you very much!
0:15:55 > 0:15:59This is my Certificate of Lunacy,
0:15:59 > 0:16:05for having swum today at latitude 54 degrees south
0:16:05 > 0:16:09and longitude 57 degrees west.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11"You submerged your body under the pounding waves
0:16:11 > 0:16:13"of Surf Bay, Falkland Islands...
0:16:14 > 0:16:20"..showing no fear of the hungry sea lions, inquisitive porpoises
0:16:20 > 0:16:25"and the ever-present marauding penguins that do roam the coastline
0:16:25 > 0:16:27"and threaten our brave bathers."
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Signed by the governor.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35All that's left now is to call home, where Jen is waiting by the phone.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37Hi, just to let you know, I survived.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40It was...
0:16:40 > 0:16:43It was chilly, but it was OK. We did well.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45Jen's pleased, she's still got a husband.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53This was Richard's third mid-winter swim, and sadly, it'll be his last.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56What a marvellous idea, I'd forgotten about the fires.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00He's only got a few weeks left on the islands before he retires
0:17:00 > 0:17:06and he and Jen return to the UK to start a new chapter of their lives.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08So moments like this are ones he'll treasure forever.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14The kinds of things that I've found myself being involved in
0:17:14 > 0:17:16through being the rector here on the islands...
0:17:18 > 0:17:23..have been, you know, really, very enjoyable and quite unusual.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26I guess I will miss them. I think I'll look back and just feel
0:17:26 > 0:17:29very pleased indeed that I had the opportunity to do them
0:17:29 > 0:17:32and that people were so welcoming and they were so much fun, really.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54In Stanley, at the hospital, the new chief medical officer,
0:17:54 > 0:17:58Beccy Edwards, is midway through her afternoon rounds.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- You all right then? Are you OK? - Yes, a bit shaky.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07Bit wibbly, wobbly. It's a family affair in here, isn't it?
0:18:07 > 0:18:08It is, yes.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12Beccy is one of only a handful of the hospital's 75 staff
0:18:12 > 0:18:14who are genuine islanders.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19The majority have come from overseas on two- to three-year contracts.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23So, finding and keeping the right team
0:18:23 > 0:18:26is one of her major challenges in the new job.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29We've done all her hepatitis screens, haven't we?
0:18:29 > 0:18:35I wonder if this is a result of her obstetric cholestasis, actually.
0:18:35 > 0:18:41The problem is there's no university or even sixth form on the Falklands.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44The government pays for those who want to pursue further education
0:18:44 > 0:18:46to go back to the UK.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51But then of course, there's no guarantee they'll decide
0:18:51 > 0:18:53to return to the islands for their careers.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57'It's challenging.'
0:18:57 > 0:19:00There's an awful lot to it, there's an awful lot to do,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02an awful lot needs to be done.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06It's very difficult when we are short of staff.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09'It is quite rare for someone from the Falklands to go away,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11'do medicine and then come back, I think.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14'First of all, there's not many that do medicine at all. And two,'
0:19:14 > 0:19:17medicine's such a massive field that not everybody wants to come back
0:19:17 > 0:19:18to the Falklands and work.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20So, see? I'm doing this one.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22But you would swap with Dr Dave, wouldn't you?
0:19:22 > 0:19:25No, I can't do it cos I'm going to go on the 2nd.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29So just all of August is going to be a one-in-three, which isn't ideal.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31I'm in Stanley full-time at the moment
0:19:31 > 0:19:34and trying to go home for weekends when I can
0:19:34 > 0:19:37and the family are toing and froing between Stanley and Port Howard
0:19:37 > 0:19:40at the moment, until we can get some proper
0:19:40 > 0:19:42childcare arrangements sorted out.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45But at the moment, I'm hardly seeing my husband and my kids!
0:19:45 > 0:19:47But hopefully, that'll get better.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49When the children are over in Stanley,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52they stay with Beccy at her parents' house.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54What would you like? Your favourite?
0:19:54 > 0:19:56And tonight, Critta's here too,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59so it's a rare moment for the whole family to be together.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Beccy is still at work. I guess something must have come up
0:20:04 > 0:20:07cos normally if she's not that busy,
0:20:07 > 0:20:10she'll ring. But we haven't heard from her,
0:20:10 > 0:20:12so we're assuming she's...busy.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17Generally, they're pretty good. They sort of...
0:20:17 > 0:20:20They take it all in their stride about Port Howard to Stanley
0:20:20 > 0:20:23and stuff like that, which obviously is...
0:20:25 > 0:20:26You know, it's not an upheaval,
0:20:26 > 0:20:28but it's all just a bit different for them.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33Whee!
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- Have you had a good day?- Yes! - What did you do at school?
0:20:40 > 0:20:42It's lovely to come home to a noisy house.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45It's horrid when you come back and no-one's here.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49That's probably been the hardest thing about the job
0:20:49 > 0:20:51altogether, actually,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53is just being apart from Critta and the children.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56"A grey shape lay on the beach." What does that say?
0:20:56 > 0:20:58What is that? What is it?
0:20:58 > 0:21:03'Because, I mean, Oliver's only little... Yeah, he's only three,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05'so he's only a little chap.'
0:21:05 > 0:21:07And they grow up so fast
0:21:07 > 0:21:09that I don't want to miss too much.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13'So, yeah, it's been tough being away from the family
0:21:13 > 0:21:17'and home on West Falklands - that's the drag about it.'
0:21:17 > 0:21:18I mean, I think you have to...
0:21:18 > 0:21:20This is an opportunity that I've been given here.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23I mean, whether or not it works out for the long term or not,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26time will tell. But, yeah, you've got to give it your best shot.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29I mean, it's something that's important to me, not just
0:21:29 > 0:21:32that it's a good job and it's an interesting job and it's a wide
0:21:32 > 0:21:34and varied job with all the different things that you do,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37but also, you know, it's important to me
0:21:37 > 0:21:41that I try and do the best I can in this role because all my family
0:21:41 > 0:21:43are going to rely on the hospital in Stanley.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46I'm not going to be going anywhere, moving anywhere else.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48It's in my interest that we have a service
0:21:48 > 0:21:50that's the best we can make it.
0:21:50 > 0:21:56So, yeah, really trying hard to make it work and, hopefully,
0:21:56 > 0:21:57it'll all come together.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03"Don't get water in the blow hole," said a man. "Let the vets see it."
0:22:03 > 0:22:06There they are, look. Oh, it's smiling again now, that dolphin.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Oh, its really smiling now.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10"The rescue team took..."
0:22:17 > 0:22:20All over the Falkland Islands, memorials and cemeteries
0:22:20 > 0:22:25commemorate individual battles and lives lost during the 1982 war.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30The Blue Beach Cemetery at San Carlos on East Falkland
0:22:30 > 0:22:33is where 14 British soldiers were buried.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37This is where troops first came ashore to begin the main assault
0:22:37 > 0:22:39to retake the islands.
0:22:39 > 0:22:40San Carlos Water became known
0:22:40 > 0:22:43as Bomb Alley because of the constant fire
0:22:43 > 0:22:46they came under from low-flying enemy jets.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49This cemetery near Darwin is dedicated
0:22:49 > 0:22:53to the many Argentine soldiers who died in the conflict.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57And a few miles further south at Goose Green
0:22:57 > 0:23:00is the memorial to the men of 2 Para,
0:23:00 > 0:23:02who fell during the fierce fighting here.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Many of these monuments are looked after by islanders
0:23:06 > 0:23:10living nearby who take it upon themselves to maintain them
0:23:10 > 0:23:13and mark each individual anniversary.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18But every year on June 14th, the islanders unite to remember
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Liberation Day and give thanks for victory.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26Steaming into Stanley Harbour, ready to play her part
0:23:26 > 0:23:28in the day's events is HMS Clyde,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31under the command of ship's captain Sarah Oakley.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36232, 242.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39And...284.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44Apart from the ship being anchored in the bay, 15 sailors
0:23:44 > 0:23:48parading through the town, it will be a very visual spectacle.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Sailors always look very smart in their Number 1 uniforms,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55so I'm hoping they'll catch the eye of all the people in Stanley.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58MUSIC: Rule Britannia by Thomas Arne
0:23:58 > 0:24:02As she navigates these waters, seeing and being seen by islanders
0:24:02 > 0:24:06and potential enemies alike, the Clyde is a very visible declaration
0:24:06 > 0:24:09of the islands' sovereignty.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11For the 42 men and women who serve on her,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14there are different uniforms for different duties.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18An important ceremony like today's calls for Number 1 dress,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21which dates back to the 18th century,
0:24:21 > 0:24:27the golden age of the Royal Navy when Britannia really did rule the waves.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32Obviously, you've got the jacket, or as we call it, a jumper,
0:24:32 > 0:24:37which has our own badges, medals. And you've got the blue collar,
0:24:37 > 0:24:38which is famous around the world.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42Three stripes signify the three battles of Nelson.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46And basically, it used to keep the tar-tied ponytails
0:24:46 > 0:24:50off the uniform back in Nelson's times.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Just preparing my uniform for the parade.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59The final bit is putting my medals on because I like to keep them safe.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Just put them on the uniform at the last minute.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11The ship's captain is going ashore with a troop of sailors
0:25:11 > 0:25:12and two officers,
0:25:12 > 0:25:16leaving her ship in the capable hands of her second in command.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21She's just a permanent reassurance around the islands that,
0:25:21 > 0:25:25you know, for as long as we wish to remain British, we will be British.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28COMMANDS SHOUTED
0:25:28 > 0:25:31The Liberation Day parade starts at the eastern end of the sea front.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37As the senior service, the sailors of the Royal Navy lead the march.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41And they're followed by troops from the Army and Air Force,
0:25:41 > 0:25:43as well as a detachment from the Falkland Islands Defence Force.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Today is a public holiday, so islanders, young and old,
0:25:49 > 0:25:53have gathered at the 1982 war memorial in full view
0:25:53 > 0:25:55of HMS Clyde anchored out in the bay.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00The Clyde is a very special ship for the Falkland Islands.
0:26:00 > 0:26:05It's a job of reassurance. It's here to show that the British Government,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08the Royal Navy is around and about.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12And it goes around the islands and it's a very popular ship -
0:26:12 > 0:26:14people love to see it.
0:26:14 > 0:26:15Parade!
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Royal salute!
0:26:17 > 0:26:19Present arms!
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Good morning and welcome to you all
0:26:25 > 0:26:29on this, the 32nd anniversary
0:26:29 > 0:26:32of the 1982 liberation.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35And we offer our prayers together
0:26:35 > 0:26:38and make our solemn act of remembrance.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45'There's something very profound and very tragic about warfare.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52'I think we remember it as a very sobering recollection of what
0:26:52 > 0:26:54'human life is all about.'
0:26:54 > 0:27:01The depths to which we sink sometimes in conflict,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04the heroism and the kind of self-sacrifice
0:27:04 > 0:27:06that it draws out of people.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10It's a reminder ultimately, I think, about
0:27:10 > 0:27:12what it is to be human.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16At the going down of the sun
0:27:16 > 0:27:19and in the morning,
0:27:19 > 0:27:21we will remember them.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24- ALL:- We will remember them.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Well, the HMS Clyde is a sign of freedom for people
0:27:28 > 0:27:31in the Falkland Islands and definitely for me, personally.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35To be liberated so quickly was just unbelievable.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38And you cannot describe how it's...
0:27:38 > 0:27:41When somebody takes your country away from you
0:27:41 > 0:27:45and suddenly you get it back, it is very difficult to describe
0:27:45 > 0:27:48the emotions of that actually happening.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51APPLAUSE AND CHEERS
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Absolutely fabulous, it's been really successful.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02I mean, you can see by the whole community being here,
0:28:02 > 0:28:05it's an incredibly important part of their lives.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07The fact that we've been able to take part in the parade
0:28:07 > 0:28:10and show ourselves in our uniform and they can look across the bay
0:28:10 > 0:28:11and see the ship there.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13They know that we really are here patrolling
0:28:13 > 0:28:14the Falkland Islands waters.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21Next time, swimming lessons for George, the king penguin.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Well, he's still a reluctant swimmer!
0:28:24 > 0:28:29And Reverend Richard prepares to say his final farewell to the Falklands.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33I think I've come to the point of accepting that this is
0:28:33 > 0:28:36a sight that I shall not see for much longer.