0:00:02 > 0:00:03In the middle of the
0:00:03 > 0:00:06South Atlantic Ocean, lie a group of islands that
0:00:06 > 0:00:08despite being 8,000 miles from the UK have a
0:00:08 > 0:00:10very British outlook on life.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13The Falkland Islands with their wild,
0:00:13 > 0:00:15rugged landscape and spectacular
0:00:15 > 0:00:20wildlife are home to a close-knit community whose traditions
0:00:20 > 0:00:24and way of life still hark back to the days of their pioneer ancestors.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28As the festive season begins
0:00:28 > 0:00:32two of the Falkland Islands' oldest families are being joined together
0:00:32 > 0:00:36and the Rev Richard has to brush up on his wedding technique.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39You'll be a little bit nervous, I'll be nervous as well. It's been
0:00:39 > 0:00:43a while since I conducted a wedding. "What do I do next?"
0:00:45 > 0:00:46And over at the military base,
0:00:46 > 0:00:51Padre Al Nichol volunteers to help out with some basic training.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Police halt, I will release my dog!
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I know which dog collar won!
0:01:37 > 0:01:41These days 3/4 of the islands 2,500
0:01:41 > 0:01:43strong population live in the capital
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Stanley, on East Falkland.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48But that still leaves 500 living
0:01:48 > 0:01:52out on isolated farms and remote settlements.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56The Islanders refer to this as living in Camp,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00from the Spanish campo meaning countryside. And it's
0:02:00 > 0:02:05generally agreed that if you want to experience the real Camp in all
0:02:05 > 0:02:09its wild and windswept glory, then West Falkland is the place to go.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13It's mid-December, the height of summer,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17and the Rev Richard Hines is paying a pre-Christmas visit
0:02:17 > 0:02:19to his parishioners on West Falkland.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30I love coming beyond Stanley, just feeling the wind on my face
0:02:30 > 0:02:34and seeing the beautiful Camp today,
0:02:34 > 0:02:39the hills and the wind on the sea, it looks beautiful.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Who would want to be anywhere else?
0:02:41 > 0:02:44The first recorded landing on either
0:02:44 > 0:02:49of the two main Falkland islands was here on West Falkland in 1690.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Captain John Strong of the British Navy was on an expedition to
0:02:53 > 0:02:56Chile and Peru when he sailed down Falkland Sound
0:02:56 > 0:02:58and put in at Bold Cove.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03The islands were uninhabited at the time but he recorded that he
0:03:03 > 0:03:07found plenty of game and fresh water to help him continue his voyage.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12These days West Falkland is home to 200 of Richard's parishioners.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17The largest settlement is around Fox Bay where Norma Edwards is
0:03:17 > 0:03:19hosting a Christmas get together.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22It's lovely to see you all and it's wonderful for me
0:03:22 > 0:03:25to be in Fox Bay again.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Christmas begins...or the final lead up to Christmas certainly
0:03:29 > 0:03:34begins this evening as we start to sing our Christmas carols together.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39# On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me
0:03:39 > 0:03:43# A partridge in a pear tree. #
0:03:43 > 0:03:46When you live somewhere like this you don't get the chance to
0:03:46 > 0:03:50go to church as much as you'd like to and Christmas for me,
0:03:50 > 0:03:55when I didn't live at Fox Bay, was always
0:03:55 > 0:04:00centred around the church from a very early age, you know?
0:04:00 > 0:04:05So, that I miss. So, to actually have a carol service
0:04:05 > 0:04:08and everyone gather for it is really nice.
0:04:08 > 0:04:09# 11 pipers piping
0:04:09 > 0:04:11# 10 lords a-leaping... #
0:04:11 > 0:04:14When you're the vicar of the largest Anglican parish
0:04:14 > 0:04:18in the world, which extends from the Falklands right the way down to the
0:04:18 > 0:04:22British Antarctic Territories, travel is a big part of the job.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24# Four calling birds... #
0:04:24 > 0:04:26This year the Rev Richard
0:04:26 > 0:04:30and his wife Jen will be spending Christmas 900 miles away from home.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35They'll be going to one of the furthest outposts of his parish,
0:04:35 > 0:04:37the tiny island of South Georgia.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Christmas time is an occasion when families get together,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44here in the Falklands anyway, communities gather.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49It's my opportunity to come and see people perhaps... Particularly this
0:04:49 > 0:04:51year because I'm going to be away in
0:04:51 > 0:04:54South Georgia. I'm very conscious of being away in South Georgia.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57So to pop across to the West
0:04:57 > 0:05:00here and a chance to say, "Be thinking of you."
0:05:00 > 0:05:02But between now and the
0:05:02 > 0:05:0421st of December when Richard leaves,
0:05:04 > 0:05:06there's plenty to keep him occupied.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15Richard's congregation may be spread over a vast area but there's
0:05:15 > 0:05:19another community on the Falklands of roughly the same size that's
0:05:19 > 0:05:25concentrated in a few square miles, 35 miles southwest of Stanley.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30The Mount Pleasant Military Base was built in 1985, three years after
0:05:30 > 0:05:34the Falklands conflict ended and is home to an ever changing population
0:05:34 > 0:05:40of around 2,000 service personnel, contractors and their families.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- and our fellow men and women. - A key member of this community is
0:05:47 > 0:05:50the chaplain, the Reverend Squadron Leader Al Nicol.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53..and support those working for the relief of the needy.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Known around the base simply as "Padre".
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Platoon dismissed!
0:06:00 > 0:06:04Padre Al has previously served in Iraq and Afghanistan
0:06:04 > 0:06:08and is here on the Falklands on a four month deployment
0:06:08 > 0:06:12leaving behind his wife and his two children in the UK.
0:06:12 > 0:06:18I first felt a call to ministry in my early 20s, but always
0:06:18 > 0:06:19alongside that...
0:06:19 > 0:06:23I had tried out when I was 18 leaving school to come
0:06:23 > 0:06:29into the Royal Air Force as a pilot, part of the Top Gun generation!
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Tom Cruise and all that sort of thing!
0:06:32 > 0:06:36I didn't cut the grade. I was never going to be an RAF pilot
0:06:36 > 0:06:38but as the call to ministry developed
0:06:38 > 0:06:42I very much felt that I could serve God
0:06:42 > 0:06:46and serve the RAF at the same time.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50The Falkland Islands has a very low crime rate,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53most people don't bother locking their doors.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57But Mount Pleasant is patrolled day and night by a military working
0:06:57 > 0:07:01dog team who are responsible for the safety of all personnel on the
0:07:01 > 0:07:06base and Padre Al has volunteered to help out with their training.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09This is our full protective suit that we use for training
0:07:09 > 0:07:13the dogs, so obviously it affords the handler full protection,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15so the dog can bite wherever it wants to.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18Oh, goody!
0:07:22 > 0:07:25No, I think that's going to be a bit tight, we'll have to go
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- without the helmet by the look of it!- OK.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30That will do. HE LAUGHS
0:07:32 > 0:07:35I can't even kneel down to pray in this!
0:07:38 > 0:07:40He's looking at me and drooling!
0:07:44 > 0:07:48I'm Al, don't eat too much of me, please!
0:07:48 > 0:07:50When you're ready, Padre.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51Right ho, so I just start running?
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Police halt! I will release my dog!
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- Good boy. Good boy. - Argh! You got me.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Yes! Good boy, good boy.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15I know which dog collar won.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26Back on West Falkland and Jim Woodward, a travelling teacher,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29is packing up ready for one of his regular two week trips tutoring
0:08:29 > 0:08:32children who live out on isolated farms.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39I've travelled in Rovers and I've travelled in helicopter and
0:08:39 > 0:08:44I've travelled on cruise ships and yachts and they pay me to do this.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45It's absolutely excellent.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Today, Jim's headed to Spring Point on the far west of the island
0:08:51 > 0:08:55where six-year-old Madison Evans lives with her parents
0:08:55 > 0:08:58and their flock of 5,000 Dohne Merino sheep.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Madison's parents Mike and Donna are
0:09:02 > 0:09:04relative newcomers to West Falkland.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08We lived in Stanley for quite a while and Mike came home one
0:09:08 > 0:09:11day and said, "We have a chance to buy a farm on the West."
0:09:13 > 0:09:16I do think I pulled a face and thought, "Oh, right."
0:09:16 > 0:09:20But 11 years on, I can't imagine living somewhere else.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24Are we ready, are we steady? Go!
0:09:24 > 0:09:28Madison is one of five children out in Camp that Jim teaches.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31When he's not here she does her lessons over the phone with
0:09:31 > 0:09:34a teacher in Stanley but for the next two weeks he will
0:09:34 > 0:09:38live as one of the family and she'll get his undivided attention.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41So what numbers have we got there? 8- 3 is...
0:09:41 > 0:09:425!
0:09:42 > 0:09:475, well done. It's just such a unique way of teaching.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49You've got that one to one relationship.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53- Can you remember what this one's called?- A potato.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57That's right, a sea potato. Can you see some of its spines?
0:09:57 > 0:10:01They see you as a normal person rather than this
0:10:01 > 0:10:06figurehead of a teacher and you get to see another side to them as well.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- Can you tell us what this flower is? - Scurr...
0:10:09 > 0:10:10- Vy.- Scurvy.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14Scurvy grass. Tell us what it tastes like.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18It tastes minty.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Yeah? Minty, a bit minty?
0:10:20 > 0:10:23The wool industry has been the lifeblood of the Falklands
0:10:23 > 0:10:27since the first sheep were introduced here in 1847.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32The largest farm on the islands has a flock of over 100,000 animals.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38After the 1982 conflict the price of wool fell worldwide
0:10:38 > 0:10:40but in recent years it's picked up again prompting
0:10:40 > 0:10:45a resurgence in smaller family run operations like Mike and Donna's.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47That's our bale brand.
0:10:47 > 0:10:53Mike and Donna.. the two mad people that went to the West.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57In this game you have to have a good sense of humour to put up
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- with everything that comes your way, so...- There you go.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Well, young man, I hope you've got a licence to film in my shed.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Shearing is the busiest time of year for Mike and Donna
0:11:12 > 0:11:14but help is at hand.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Their three sons who are currently at school in Stanley
0:11:17 > 0:11:20and England, are due home for the holidays
0:11:20 > 0:11:22so the family will be all together for Christmas.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28And celebrations are going to be especially joyful this
0:11:28 > 0:11:30year for one couple in particular.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Accountant Jody and dock worker Steve are getting married.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41They were both born in Stanley and met in Deano's bar,
0:11:41 > 0:11:44the centre of the Falklands thriving darts scene.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47We did the Mr and Mrs dart competition.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- We didn't get very far, did we? - No, no.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52No, we didn't, no. And then just at the end of the night Stevie
0:11:52 > 0:11:56got down on one knee and proposed. We got some champagne.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58How did you two get together then?
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Many moons ago
0:12:01 > 0:12:03at fireworks night we had...
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Back in the time when you could get fireworks.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Yeah.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Probably the last time you could get fireworks down here
0:12:10 > 0:12:12because of rules and regulations and that.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16We had a firework display up on the corner and you had to put
0:12:16 > 0:12:21money in and start up and the rest is history.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Just so romantic, isn't it?
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- All went with a bang. - Yeah.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Jodie and Steve have chosen to get married in the cathedral
0:12:31 > 0:12:34and have asked the Rev Richard to conduct the service.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39I bet there'll be quite a crowd outside,
0:12:39 > 0:12:44two old Falklands families, quite big families, and lots of interest.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47I hardly met a person this week who isn't coming to the wedding
0:12:47 > 0:12:51or at least a part of the wedding ceremony.
0:12:51 > 0:12:52Hi.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Weddings on the Falklands tend to be quite informal.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Any well wishers are welcome to pop into the cathedral and witness
0:12:58 > 0:13:03the happy event so Jodie's printed extra service sheets just in case.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- Oh, excellent.- Please excuse the chewed box, the cat go it.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07It's angry.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10What are we here for, because you are getting married?
0:13:10 > 0:13:13I haven't gone anywhere in the last few days without people who
0:13:13 > 0:13:15haven't been talking about the wedding.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19My dad and my brother are just on their way in from the island.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23So they said, "Keep your phone on in case were running late."
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Now, you've crept slightly forward there.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Beside him, that's it get close together.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Start off as you mean to carry on.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34Steve's sister Nina and Jodie's father Stephen arrive
0:13:34 > 0:13:36just in time for the rehearsal.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41Hi, hello. Welcome. All right?
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Good, thanks and you?
0:13:43 > 0:13:45So what day is the wedding, Stephen?
0:13:47 > 0:13:49- 21st.- Good job, Daddy, well done.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Did we not start on what today is?
0:13:52 > 0:13:53HE HUMS WEDDING MARCH
0:14:05 > 0:14:09That's a good speed, that's a good speed. Not to slow.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13For a small community like this marriage is a significant step.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17It looks forward to the next generation or two.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20I have not conducted that many weddings in the six
0:14:20 > 0:14:23and a half years I've been here but I think it's about a year since
0:14:23 > 0:14:26the last wedding I conducted here in the cathedral. I'm a bit rusty.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28I hope I don't make too many mistakes.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35A few miles west at Mount Pleasant military base Padre Al is awaiting
0:14:35 > 0:14:39the arrival of his wife who's made the 18 hour trip from the UK
0:14:39 > 0:14:43so they can spend a few days together before Christmas.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48My wife Fi is arriving on the air bridge in the next half hour.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52We've been married now for coming on two years. It was her first
0:14:52 > 0:14:58experience of the military when she met me and married me.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00I think she's getting used to it.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02We have some plans for the week ahead,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05get out and about see the islands, wine her and dine her.
0:15:11 > 0:15:17Can't have my first kiss for two months with...soup on the breath!
0:15:18 > 0:15:21The only way to get to Falklands direct from the UK is to take
0:15:21 > 0:15:23what's known as the air bridge.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25A twice weekly flight from
0:15:25 > 0:15:28RAF Brize Norton, which stops off briefly
0:15:28 > 0:15:32in Ascension Island before landing at Mount Pleasant 18 hours later.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- What are we looking for? - Blonde, beautiful, about 21.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- Hello.- Hello, my love!
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Fi's visit also coincides with her birthday.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50My 39th birthday on an aeroplane!
0:15:50 > 0:15:52I said you were 21! Sh!
0:15:52 > 0:15:53Sorry I'm 21 again.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55HE LAUGHS
0:15:55 > 0:15:58It's been really hard. Emotions are running high.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02The day that he left I don't want to repeat that for a really long time.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07But a couple of weeks in I got into a routine and being a teacher I was
0:16:07 > 0:16:14very busy and I just had lots of structure and Skype has kept us
0:16:14 > 0:16:16going, I think. Yeah.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22This time of year is extremely busy for Padre Al.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Today though, he's got Fi to help him for his first major event.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28A nativity carol service for the children
0:16:28 > 0:16:30and families who live on the base.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35It's the first time I've worn it so, yeah. We've got Mary.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Where's Mary? There's Mary, there's Joseph,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41there's little baby Jesus in the manger.
0:16:41 > 0:16:42- It's wonderful.- It's brilliant.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44With day-glo angels.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Yeah, of course, has to be.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51Whoa, watch the bump. You like it, yeah?
0:16:51 > 0:16:54And I think it should be the new uniform for Christmas.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02Hello, everyone, and welcome to the station church St Cuthbert's.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05A special welcome to all the children especially if you have been
0:17:05 > 0:17:11involved in building this fantastic jumper that I'm wearing just now.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14It's going to come in very handy later on in our service
0:17:14 > 0:17:17looking at the Christmas story.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21But before we get to that we will start our service with a very
0:17:21 > 0:17:22special song.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25CHILDREN SING
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Put your hands up if you think you can tell me
0:17:35 > 0:17:39what did the angels come to do?
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Now, do you normally see angels flying around the sky
0:17:42 > 0:17:46when you're walking around Mount Pleasant, no?
0:17:46 > 0:17:48I think my role is very much a supporting role.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51So, it's nice to be back together
0:17:51 > 0:17:54and I know that Al looks out for me sometimes,
0:17:54 > 0:17:56to think, "Have I covered everything?"
0:17:56 > 0:17:57I'm Al's harshest critic.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59THEY LAUGH
0:17:59 > 0:18:01I usual get the debrief,
0:18:01 > 0:18:03the post mortem of the sermon on the way up the road.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I like to think in a loving and constructive way.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Oh, definitely.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11So you going to miss each other this Christmas?
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Oh, that's going to be hard.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17I think coming over has been wonderful but it just highlights the
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- fact that it's going to be really difficult saying goodbye.- Yeah.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27At the FIGAS base in Stanley,
0:18:27 > 0:18:31the Christmas rush is making things difficult for flight scheduler Cara.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35PHONE RINGS
0:18:35 > 0:18:38FIGAS, good morning Cara speaking. Is it going to be heavy?
0:18:39 > 0:18:41OK, I shall let Carol know.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45At this time of year demand for flights is very high and the FIGAS
0:18:45 > 0:18:47fleet of four 10-seater islander planes
0:18:47 > 0:18:50has been working at full capacity.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55We've got one going to Hill Cove which is here, one to
0:18:55 > 0:19:02Roy Cove. We've got four going to Spring Point and one to Port Edgar.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06That's just all the children today.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08And Spring Point flight's a special flight?
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- It is. That's got my three nephews on it.- Cara's nephews are her sister
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Donna's boys, the eldest Dale, is on his way back from his
0:19:16 > 0:19:20boarding school in the UK, while Nile and Shaun
0:19:20 > 0:19:22are at school in Stanley.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- Stand up, stand on.- As well the luggage, Cara also weighs each
0:19:26 > 0:19:30of the boys to check that the plane won't be too heavy to take off.
0:19:30 > 0:19:31OK, that's good, thank you.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Many settlements and islands on the Falklands have their own
0:19:36 > 0:19:39airstrip and the Evans family have one right on their doorstep.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47After a short 45 minute flight, it's straight home, where the boys'
0:19:47 > 0:19:51first job is to decorate the house with their sister Madison.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Are you sure that's the way it's supposed to go, Nile?
0:19:53 > 0:19:55The Christmas tree has been brought
0:19:55 > 0:19:59out of storage and needs assembling.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02TREE SQUEAKS
0:20:02 > 0:20:03Is that supposed to happen?
0:20:05 > 0:20:08That does not look right, Nile!
0:20:08 > 0:20:10I think you missed some pieces.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13I think you might have some pieces missing. Something's happened.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19We always have an artificial tree because there are so few
0:20:19 > 0:20:23trees around. We wouldn't want to cut one down for the day.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26I didn't realise it would be so technical to put up a tree.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Do you ever feel isolated out here?
0:20:30 > 0:20:35No, I don't. I don't think any of us do. No.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37I mean, we will be home on our own at Christmas time
0:20:37 > 0:20:40but we will see people in the next few days after that.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42But no, this is a good life
0:20:42 > 0:20:45and the Falklands Christmas is a lot different to the UK Christmas.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50We never have turkey. We have lamb as our traditional food with
0:20:50 > 0:20:54new potatoes, carrots from the green house and all the new veg.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57What, everything for your Christmas dinner will come from your own farm?
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Yes, apart from the Christmas pudding which I have bought.
0:21:02 > 0:21:03SHE LAUGHS
0:21:06 > 0:21:10In Stanley, at the Falklands Island radio station, breakfast
0:21:10 > 0:21:13show presenter Trina Bernstein is nearing the
0:21:13 > 0:21:15end of her daily broadcast.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18A rather cloudy day particularly in the morning with some
0:21:18 > 0:21:20outbreaks of rain likely.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Sheep chill factor is at 74, the risk is moderate to newly shorn sheep.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Christmas tune, my first one of the month.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32You know what it's got to be, its AC/DC, Mistress for Christmas.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36That's always my first Christmas tune, love it.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Trina was born on the islands but spent many years in the UK
0:21:40 > 0:21:43and still keeps in touch with friends there.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47What do you think people in the UK think of the Falklands?
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Well, a lot of them still don't know where it is. Do they?
0:21:50 > 0:21:52You know even though we had a war in '82 there like, "Well is it
0:21:52 > 0:21:55"still at the top of Scotland?"
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Nobody believed I was from here.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01Apparently we sound like Australians down here or Kiwis.
0:22:01 > 0:22:02Apparently I never lost that
0:22:02 > 0:22:05and they used to say, "You're from New Zealand or somewhere."
0:22:05 > 0:22:07I used to say, "No, I'm from the Falkland Islands,"
0:22:07 > 0:22:10but if you listen to a true Falkland Islander who has never left
0:22:10 > 0:22:14the islands you hear their twang like a Kiwi or an Aussie.
0:22:14 > 0:22:15It's just, like, crazy.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Oh!
0:22:17 > 0:22:22Quickly, darling, come to nan, come on quickly, say goodbye.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Quickly, sweetheart.
0:22:25 > 0:22:31Hello, daring. Give nan a kiss? Love you. You going to say goodbye then?
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Bye.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Over on the other side of town Wendy Reynolds is also
0:22:37 > 0:22:40preparing for a musical Christmas.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44Wendy came to the islands 10 years ago to work as a teacher,
0:22:44 > 0:22:48she's now retired and runs Stanley's recorder group
0:22:48 > 0:22:51and this year she's in charge of organising the carol service.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53I'm going to just check my Christmas cake
0:22:53 > 0:22:57because it's been in the oven, it's had its three and a half hours
0:22:57 > 0:23:00cooking so I need to just check it's right and take it out.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Any secret ingredients in the Christmas cake?
0:23:02 > 0:23:04There's a little bit of brandy.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12And I think I shall probably end up feeding it with a little more brandy.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16Before I came here I was living and working in Devon so I came
0:23:16 > 0:23:18here from quite a small village, which actually
0:23:18 > 0:23:20is bigger than Stanley!
0:23:21 > 0:23:25I just love the community feeling, the way that everybody,
0:23:25 > 0:23:31gets together and the fact that here I am organising
0:23:31 > 0:23:35the Nine Lessons and Carols in a Cathedral for a small community!
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Which, of course, I would never end up doing anywhere else.
0:23:38 > 0:23:39It's really good.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42You all got it? Ready? Good!
0:23:44 > 0:23:48# Away in a manger
0:23:48 > 0:23:53# No crib for a bed... #
0:23:53 > 0:23:56I first of all came on a one-year contract
0:23:56 > 0:24:01and by Christmas I knew it was place I wanted to be for a long time,
0:24:01 > 0:24:07so I was able to renew my contract for seven years and when it came
0:24:07 > 0:24:11to retirement it just seemed that it was the right place to be.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Everyone's concerned for everybody else
0:24:17 > 0:24:21and it's a very supportive and friendly community.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23I've probably had more cake
0:24:23 > 0:24:26and tea here than I would ever have done in England!
0:24:34 > 0:24:37As the Falkland Islanders get stuck in to enjoy the festive
0:24:37 > 0:24:42season, one household in Stanley is packing up ready to depart.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44It's the night before Richard
0:24:44 > 0:24:46and Jen leave for their three week
0:24:46 > 0:24:49round trip to South Georgia and beyond.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54I was going to say I've now come into an area of complete
0:24:54 > 0:24:55incompetence!
0:24:56 > 0:24:57He doesn't know where to begin!
0:24:57 > 0:25:01I have no idea what to do and we've been asked to take presents
0:25:01 > 0:25:03to various people in South Georgia so...
0:25:03 > 0:25:08So here we have, I don't know, it's something very soft and squidgy.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11That's my best jumper there, that keeps me warm.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13And is that part of your parish?
0:25:13 > 0:25:15It's part of my wider parish, yeah.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18So, I'm pleased to say I'm not abandoning my parish
0:25:18 > 0:25:21at Christmas, far from it, but I am going to a different part of it.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23A far flung part.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26The gloves were bought for us by a friend,
0:25:26 > 0:25:32you put batteries in the cuffs and they, sort of, keep your hands warm,
0:25:32 > 0:25:36cos they have a little electric current to keep your hands warm!
0:25:38 > 0:25:40So we are going to follow in the footsteps of Frank Wild
0:25:40 > 0:25:43and Sir Ernest Shackleton but we're going to have little
0:25:43 > 0:25:45batteries on the back of our hands.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52The day of their departure dawns bright and clear
0:25:52 > 0:25:57but before they go, Richard's got one very important duty to perform.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01He's leading the congregation at the cathedral to celebrate Jodie
0:26:01 > 0:26:02and Steve's wedding.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08I feel a little bit nervous for their sakes, as well as for my own.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11The Pooles and the Aldridges coming together, lots of
0:26:11 > 0:26:15family and friends. The secret is to be well prepared in advance
0:26:15 > 0:26:20so that on the busy day it's relatively easy and straightforward.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22I hope that's not famous last words.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26It's wonderful to see you all here today. We have come here today
0:26:26 > 0:26:31in the presence of God to witness the marriage of Steven and Jody.
0:26:31 > 0:26:37So, Steven John, will you take Jody May to be your wife?
0:26:38 > 0:26:43- I will.- And, Jody May, will you take Steven John to be your husband?
0:26:43 > 0:26:45I will.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55It's just a lovely occasion cos it reminds you of your own
0:26:55 > 0:27:00wedding, even though that was 42 years ago.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03I can still remember the elation of walking down the aisle,
0:27:03 > 0:27:07so to see another couple making vows to each other...
0:27:07 > 0:27:11From my privileged vantage point I can see the faces of people
0:27:11 > 0:27:15and I can see what's in their hearts and such a happy occasion today,
0:27:15 > 0:27:19Steve and Jody, as I said in my address, are a gift to people.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23They are irrepressibly generous of spirit, it's lovely.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28His last duty done, Richard can now take his leave of Stanley
0:27:28 > 0:27:32and his parishioners here and join the Norwegian ship that's
0:27:32 > 0:27:35making the two day sea voyage down to South Georgia.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38- God bless you.- Merry Christmas!
0:27:38 > 0:27:39Bye-bye now!
0:27:40 > 0:27:44When they set foot on dry land again, it'll be Christmas Eve.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Next time, Padre Al is flat out bringing Christmas
0:27:50 > 0:27:53to service personnel all over the islands.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55It's first service I've ever led on a ship,
0:27:55 > 0:27:57never mind a ship of the Royal Navy!
0:27:57 > 0:28:01We pray that you will encircle in your love and care those
0:28:01 > 0:28:05that are celebrating Christmas in our family homes back in the UK.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10It's the centenary of the Boxing Day races.
0:28:10 > 0:28:15- Ready, go!- And the governor himself joins in the action.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21I got a foot in my thigh there, which was quite entertaining.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24An unusual injury in a running race!
0:28:24 > 0:28:26And Rev Richard heads south to the farthest
0:28:26 > 0:28:30corner of his parish at the gateway to the Antarctic.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34I'm just seeing a pod of fin whales blowing away in the distance,
0:28:34 > 0:28:35rather extraordinary!