0:00:03 > 0:00:05Deep in the southern hemisphere,
0:00:05 > 0:00:0815 degrees north of the Antarctic Circle,
0:00:08 > 0:00:13the Falkland Islands are famous for rugged scenery, abundant wildlife,
0:00:13 > 0:00:17and the tough, no-nonsense attitude of the islanders themselves.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21The last few decades may have bought many changes
0:00:21 > 0:00:24but, at heart, these islands still hold true to the old traditions
0:00:24 > 0:00:29which date back to when they were first settled around 200 years ago.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31On your marks, get set, go!
0:00:31 > 0:00:33With Christmas behind them,
0:00:33 > 0:00:36it's time for the annual sheep shearing competition
0:00:36 > 0:00:38to decide who will represent the Falkland Islands
0:00:38 > 0:00:41at the World Championships next year.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44In the shed, you've just got to shear to a certain standard
0:00:44 > 0:00:46and that's just what you do all day.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48With competitions,
0:00:48 > 0:00:51you've got to shear to a better standard than everybody else,
0:00:51 > 0:00:52all the time.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56And Padre Al takes the trip of a lifetime.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00It is that sense of speed and freedom,
0:01:00 > 0:01:05and just movement in all three dimensions, it's just so thrilling.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44It's early morning in Stanley and, while things look quiet
0:01:44 > 0:01:47and peaceful, it is very much the calm before the storm.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Sibby Summers runs the gift shop down by the harbour.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55PHONE RINGS
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Hello, good morning?
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Yes, no problem, dear. All right, you're welcome. Bye!
0:02:05 > 0:02:09This is the morning for the big rush of the 2,500 tourists
0:02:09 > 0:02:12who are going to visit our island today.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16I do hope they have a nice day, I'm sure they will.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- Doubling the population. - Yes, doubling the population.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- So, do you get quite excited on days like this?- Absolutely, yes.
0:02:24 > 0:02:29Well, it's our future. This is our living, you know.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32If we don't get the tourists or the customers,
0:02:32 > 0:02:34we won't make a living.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40In the last 30 years,
0:02:40 > 0:02:44two big changes have revolutionised the Falkland's economy.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46The sale of offshore fishing licences,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49which began in the late '80s, and now tourism,
0:02:49 > 0:02:54which brings about £5 million a year into the island's coffers.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57About 30,000 tourists come here every summer,
0:02:57 > 0:02:58most of them day-trippers
0:02:58 > 0:03:02who arrive on the huge cruise ships that put in at Stanley
0:03:02 > 0:03:05after rounding Cape Horn, and en route to Brazil.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Waiting to give them a proper British welcome
0:03:09 > 0:03:13is the island's own bobby on the beat, PC Darryl Harada.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16You're not in trouble. That way.
0:03:16 > 0:03:17Lately of Humberside Police.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20How are you, all right? Not bad, thank you.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23We don't get tourists in Hull.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25It is a rarity when people are nice to us in Hull.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Is it a picture or a video?
0:03:30 > 0:03:32I think it's a picture, isn't it?
0:03:36 > 0:03:37- Thank you.- You're welcome.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40I spend the majority of my day getting my photo taken.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43God knows what Facebook is like, or all the social media sites.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45I'm probably all over it.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47Excuse me, hi. Where is the Waterfront Cafe?
0:03:47 > 0:03:49- See this white building here?- Yes.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- That's the Waterfront Cafe. - Thank you.- Be careful on the road.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55My main issue is, as you can see,
0:03:55 > 0:03:58they just walk down the middle of the road.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Many Americans get told that there's no offence of kerb crawling here,
0:04:01 > 0:04:03which is true,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06so they think you can walk down the middle of the road all the time,
0:04:06 > 0:04:07which is a problem.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11I'm sure there's nowhere else in the world
0:04:11 > 0:04:14that they just stroll up the middle of the road.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16It's nice to think we live in a place
0:04:16 > 0:04:19where you can walk down the middle of the road
0:04:19 > 0:04:21and be quite sure no-one's going to run you over.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Kevin Kilmartin is a lawyer and sheep farmer at Bluff Cove,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28about 20 miles west of Stanley.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32At this time of year, he also operates as a tour guide.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34How many people are coming in now?
0:04:35 > 0:04:39I don't know, probably a couple of thousand people will come ashore.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Maybe more.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42There are more of them than us.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48There's the Falkland Island guys.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Over here, please!
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Kevin and his fellow part-time tour operators
0:04:56 > 0:05:00know that the number one attraction on the islands at this time of year
0:05:00 > 0:05:02is the incredible wildlife.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06The Falkland Islands are roughly the same distance
0:05:06 > 0:05:09from the South Pole as the UK is from the North.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11We share the same cool temperate climate
0:05:11 > 0:05:13but the Falklands get a lot more wind.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Luckily, that does not bother the hundreds of thousands of birds
0:05:19 > 0:05:21and sea mammals that cram themselves
0:05:21 > 0:05:25into every nook and cranny of this rocky coastline,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28making summertime in the Falklands one of the best
0:05:28 > 0:05:30wildlife-spotting opportunities on the planet.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35And at the top of every tourist's itinerary are the penguins.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Some are still a lot smaller than others.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- There's a really cute one.- Yes.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45At Bluff Cove, Kevin has a colony of gentoo penguins,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48whose young are now almost four weeks old.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52But the star of the show is eight-year-old Albert.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53This is Albert.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57You'd probably call him albino but he is actually leucistic.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01When he hatched he was this strange colour.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03The perceived wisdom with penguins
0:06:03 > 0:06:06is that if they are slightly strange then the others ostracise them
0:06:06 > 0:06:10and they don't have much of a life and eventually they die young.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14In fact, Albert has had a mate every year,
0:06:14 > 0:06:15and he's been fantastic.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18It's nice to have him because he always goes back
0:06:18 > 0:06:22to the same nesting site every year, and he's always with a mate.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24We don't know if he's a male or a female, by the way.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28But he's always there and he's always got two eggs to look after
0:06:28 > 0:06:30and then two chicks.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32He's a really great guy.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37While Kevin's busy outside, his wife Hattie is standing by in the cafe
0:06:37 > 0:06:40with her tea and home-made cakes at the ready.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Once the cruise ships start coming, it's very, very busy.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48A lot of cake gets eaten, so it's keeping on top of all of that.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53With 60 people clamouring at the door, and another 200 expected,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57Hattie and her team are going to be working flat out all day.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04The vast majority of tourists to the islands
0:07:04 > 0:07:07only get to see Stanley and its immediate surroundings
0:07:07 > 0:07:10but, away from the hustle and bustle of the summer season,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14traditional Falklands life carries on much as it always has.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16Before fishing and tourism,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19there was only one real industry on these islands
0:07:19 > 0:07:23and, today, Governor Nigel Haywood is off to the west
0:07:23 > 0:07:25to take part in its flagship event.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Can I get you to stand on the scales for me?
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Oh, dear, this is the worst bit.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- I've got lots of weight in my pockets.- No bags, no?- No.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Nigel and his son Chris are heading to the annual
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Fox Bay ram and fleece show.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42It's an important part of life on the Falkland Islands
0:07:42 > 0:07:44because this was founded on sheep farming
0:07:44 > 0:07:47and instinctively the islanders think of themselves as sheep farmers
0:07:47 > 0:07:52even if only sort of 5% of the economy is in agriculture.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56A plane has been put at the governor's disposal for the day.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58If you want to walk around the front to Derek.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00He'll get you in the front.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03I don't really like flying at all, to be honest.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08This at least has its compensations, of lots of scenery, lots to look at.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12It takes your mind off the fact that you're basically in a cigar tube
0:08:12 > 0:08:17a few hundred feet up in the air, being buffeted around by the wind.
0:08:20 > 0:08:21Very positive view!
0:08:28 > 0:08:31There are 33 sheep farmers on West Falkland
0:08:31 > 0:08:33and most of them are here today,
0:08:33 > 0:08:37along with their families and their best rams.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39All spruced up and ready for the judging.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41It is a beauty contest for sheep.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43You can't beat it, can you?
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Just what you need just after Christmas, poor sheep!
0:08:48 > 0:08:52This is an agricultural show with a difference.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Everyone here is knowledgeable so, instead of a panel of judges,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59it's the public who decide which rams are the best.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02That's a very nice looking one.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Nice and solid standing.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Very clear.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08No black spots or anything on it.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Nice dense coat, fine wool.
0:09:11 > 0:09:12It's very good.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14The votes are counted
0:09:14 > 0:09:17and it is time for the governor to hand out the silverware.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Sheep number 24, with 109 points.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Take that?
0:09:24 > 0:09:25No?
0:09:25 > 0:09:27You can chew it!
0:09:27 > 0:09:28It is very tasty.
0:09:28 > 0:09:34Second prize, 75 pen, sheep number 32. 59 points.
0:09:37 > 0:09:38Congratulations.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Handshake?
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Excellent.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Events like these are very important in the life of this community.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51The Falklands were founded on sheep farming
0:09:51 > 0:09:55and sheep are still the only thing that really thrive
0:09:55 > 0:09:57on these windswept pastures.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59There are currently half a million of them on the islands,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03which works out at about 167 per human inhabitant.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08The largest farm is on the East Island at Goose Green.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12The shearing shed here lays claim to being the biggest in the world
0:10:12 > 0:10:16and can hold 5,000 animals at any one time.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Earning 70p per fleece, each highly skilled shearer
0:10:21 > 0:10:24will take an average one minute to shear an animal,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27so the good ones can make around £200 a day.
0:10:30 > 0:10:3422-year-old Stefan Clark from East Falkland
0:10:34 > 0:10:37started shearing when he was 17.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41How many sheep can you go through in a whole year?
0:10:41 > 0:10:44These guys will do 160,000.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47In the north there are 100,000.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- What is your record?- Down here, 401.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- 401?- Yeah.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- New Zealand is 501.- In a day?- Yeah.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59What's the art of shearing?
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Don't cut them.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04And take all the wool off in one go.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09Shearing gangs are made up of shearers and wool handlers,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12known on the Falklands as rousies.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Their job is to prevent the pure white wool from being contaminated
0:11:16 > 0:11:19because stained wool can only be dyed a darker colour
0:11:19 > 0:11:21and so it's worth less.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22It's a precision job
0:11:22 > 0:11:26but they also need to be fast to keep pace with the shearers.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30Back in the old days, the shearing sheds were men-only domains.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35But now, it's a rite of passage for many Falkland Island girls.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40Like 17-year-old Riba, who grew up on a farm on the West Island.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43We're basically together for the whole season,
0:11:43 > 0:11:45which I think is about five months.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- So it is quite intense working together?- Yeah.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51We all get quite close.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55A Falkland Island fleece weighs on average a kilo more
0:11:55 > 0:11:57than a typical British one.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01They also have very fine fibres, which means they're top quality
0:12:01 > 0:12:04and can fetch 12 times as much on the market.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Sammy is a wool grader.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12It's her job to evaluate each fleece to see how much it's worth.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16What makes a good fleece?
0:12:16 > 0:12:18The colour certainly helps.
0:12:18 > 0:12:19That's nice and white,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22so obviously they don't have to clean it as much.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25You can see the crimp there, so you want it nice and together,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27and sort of pencil-sized staples.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30This one is a slightly shorter one
0:12:30 > 0:12:33but you want to pull it out and it doesn't want to break.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37Otherwise, when they comb it, it has a break in it and it's not as good.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41You can feel... I would rather have that against my skin
0:12:41 > 0:12:44than I would something that is a bit hairy.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48In a few days' time, Sammy, Riba and Stefan,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51along with others from the Goose Green gang, will be going to Stanley
0:12:51 > 0:12:55to compete in the annual shearing and wool handling competition.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58The winners will be heading to Ireland next year
0:12:58 > 0:13:03to represent the Falklands at the World Shearing Championships.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Are you a bit nervous about the competition coming up?
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Oh, yes, you get the odd set of butterflies.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11If you win, what happens?
0:13:13 > 0:13:15Probably a lot of, "Yeah!"
0:13:18 > 0:13:20I'd cry, probably.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22I'd cry.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25I mean, there is certainly the serious side of it as well
0:13:25 > 0:13:28but it is also quite fun.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30It's got a nice atmosphere there.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Yes, I say to the girls, some of them didn't want to compete,
0:13:33 > 0:13:37and I said they'll feel left out on the day because nearly everybody is.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Don't worry about how you do, just go in and enjoy it.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44You do all get quite excited and hyped up.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48For me, yeah, you don't want to miss out on that.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Back in Stanley, and the tourists are still coming.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02The shop has been busy since the first boat arrived at 10am.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Thank you, dear.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Very, very busy.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Steady all day.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12It has been a good day, yes.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I just want to know the difference...
0:14:16 > 0:14:1820 miles away at Bluff Cove
0:14:18 > 0:14:22and the Sea Cabbage Cafe is overrun with hungry visitors.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32No trip to the Falkland Islands is complete without a slap-up tea.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Hattie Kilmartin has spent the day serving up home-baked cakes
0:14:36 > 0:14:38and biscuits galore.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41Thank you very much.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- Oh, do you want some more?- Could we have one more piece?- Of course.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Tea, coffee or hot chocolate, sir?
0:14:47 > 0:14:49A white coffee would be magnificent.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00It has been well tucked into, as you can see.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04We've got orange cake, lemon drizzle cake, which is very popular.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05A coffee cake.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08These are the scones with jam
0:15:08 > 0:15:10and then we've got gingerbread
0:15:10 > 0:15:11and date and walnut loaf,
0:15:11 > 0:15:13chocolate cake.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15We do make a punch that we call Penguin Punch,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18and we do sometimes tell our tourists
0:15:18 > 0:15:22that we have used freshly squeezed penguin to make the punch.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Luckily, none of them do believe us. But it is good!
0:15:27 > 0:15:30I came for six months. I'd been cooking in Outer Mongolia
0:15:30 > 0:15:34and it's now 17 years later, so it's been a long six months.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37But like so many Falkland Islanders,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39or first generation of Falkland Islanders,
0:15:39 > 0:15:41we come for a short time and then never leave,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43fall in love with the place.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47I'll try one of those and a bit of your lemon cake, please.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- OK.- Mum?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- So you've got to do this all over again tomorrow?- Yes.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54At any rate, we'll all be zombies by then.
0:15:54 > 0:15:55SHE GROANS
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Days like this are crucial to Hattie and Kevin.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Setting up the cafe was a big venture for them
0:16:01 > 0:16:03and the money they make over the summer months
0:16:03 > 0:16:06makes a real difference to their annual income.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Hattie has the ideas and the vision and I...
0:16:08 > 0:16:12- And Kevin does all the work. - I do what I'm told.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16I just delicate... Delicate? That's not even the word.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18I'm dedicated, you're delegating.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25The British Forces base at Mount Pleasant,
0:16:25 > 0:16:2625 miles south of Stanley,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30was built in 1986 and is home to a shifting population
0:16:30 > 0:16:35of between 1,000 and 2,000 servicemen and women.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39This ever-changing community, who are stationed out here
0:16:39 > 0:16:42for up to eight months, are served by one chaplain,
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Padre Al Nichol of the RAF
0:16:44 > 0:16:47whose own four-month detachment is coming to an end.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51# ..and our eternal home. #
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Padre Al wears a British military uniform
0:16:54 > 0:16:57but, as an ordained minister, he doesn't bear arms.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04'In the armed forces,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07'you're recognised not just by the Christians,
0:17:07 > 0:17:11'but by all personnel as someone they can come to.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15'Might not be for issues of faith. It might be personal issues.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17'Family issues, especially.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20'Detached as we are from our home lives.'
0:17:20 > 0:17:24Al became a chaplain in 2000 and since then
0:17:24 > 0:17:27he's been in Afghanistan, Iraq and Italy.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30It's very hard to be away from my kids.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34I suppose, on a fourth tour of duty, you kind of get used to it.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40But you never fully get used to being away for that period of time.
0:17:41 > 0:17:47Even just four months is... It's quite a long journey.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Tell us about your red squirrel. What's that?
0:17:49 > 0:17:51HE LAUGHS
0:17:51 > 0:17:54That was a little joke sent down by my wife.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56It's to do with my ginger hair.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02She thought maybe we were brothers or something, I don't know.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04But I love red squirrels, actually.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07There's a few of them up in Scotland near where my parents live.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12There's a colony of red squirrels, which of course have a hard time.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15They're minority squirrels, just like us ginger chaps.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- So, yeah.- Do you get a lot of abuse for being ginger?
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- From the army here?- A little bit of banter, but, you know.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23I give as good as I get.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Before Padre Al returns to the UK,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32he's been invited to take part in something rather special.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36He's heading off to join up with some visiting officers.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39They're going to get the chance to experience a low-level flight
0:18:39 > 0:18:41over the islands.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44They'll be travelling in that great workhorse
0:18:44 > 0:18:49of the RAF's air transport fleet, the iconic four-engine Hercules.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52An aircraft that's carried troops and equipment
0:18:52 > 0:18:55for the British Forces in combat situations all over the world.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00If we have an emergency, you'll hear a series of alarm bells.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03On hearing them, stay on the flight deck but strap yourselves in.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05I'll tell you exactly what to do. If we go down in the water -
0:19:05 > 0:19:07obviously a lot of water round here -
0:19:07 > 0:19:11only the escape hatch here above the ladder is to be used, OK?
0:19:14 > 0:19:16It's quite a privileged job, I think.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18You get to go flying with the pilots...
0:19:18 > 0:19:20'Your takeoff clearance has been obtained.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22'Let's have the takeoff checks, please.'
0:19:31 > 0:19:35I didn't fly until I was about 14, 15 in the air training corps.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40And...when I did fly for the first time, I was just smitten. I loved it.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45It's that sense of speed and freedom and, you know,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47just movement in all three dimensions.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52It just fascinates me that we can make large objects
0:19:52 > 0:19:55weighing several tonnes fly so fast through the air.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56It's just so thrilling.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02I think days like this will remind me how beautiful it is down here.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06The UK is such a long way away.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08But one of the things the distance does
0:20:08 > 0:20:10is it makes everyone come together
0:20:10 > 0:20:14in a way that you just don't get back at home.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19I've never felt so sad to be leaving a place where I've been detached to.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21It's a lovely community.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22Just been wonderful. So welcoming.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29Home away from home in so many ways but very happy to be going home.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Looking forward to seeing my kids again and seeing my wife.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Hopefully meeting me off the air bridge when I get home.
0:20:56 > 0:20:5935 miles away on the other side of Stanley,
0:20:59 > 0:21:03it's crunch time for the cream of the Falkland Islands'
0:21:03 > 0:21:05young wool handlers and shearers.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Right then, we're seconds away from starting.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11So who will be champion shearer of Falklands?
0:21:11 > 0:21:16A couple of girls and boys who will be sent away to represent
0:21:16 > 0:21:19their country in Ireland, southern Ireland next year, so...
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Without further ado, get on your marks!
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Get set! Go!
0:21:24 > 0:21:26CHEERING
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Fighting for a place at the World Championships in Ireland
0:21:30 > 0:21:33is Goose Green gang member Stefan.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Stefan's only been shearing for five years
0:21:35 > 0:21:38and this is the first year he's really been in the running.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40His uncle Yann is the favourite to win,
0:21:40 > 0:21:44so Stefan needs to come second to earn his place on the team.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Each shearer has five sheep.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48They have to be quick
0:21:48 > 0:21:51but they're also being judged on their skill under pressure.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53The wool must come off in the first cut
0:21:53 > 0:21:56and the smallest speck of blood will count against them.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Stefan now, boy on the right...
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Yeah, I want to try and get in the top two.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07But...have to wait and see if I can.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08Got to try to beat my uncle first.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12I'm probably not quite as fast as they are.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17So I just need to try and be a bit cleaner. A few less second cuts.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20In the shed, you've just got to shear to a certain standard.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22And that's just what you do all day.
0:22:22 > 0:22:23In the competitions,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26you've got to shear to a better standard than everybody else.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28All the time.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38APPLAUSE
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Brilliant stuff. Absolutely brilliant.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48- Ooh!- Knackered?- Yeah. HE LAUGHS
0:22:52 > 0:22:54The next event is the wool handling.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Taking part in the first heat is Vicky Lee, Sammy's cousin,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01who went with her to the World Championships last year.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05As a team, they came third behind Australia and New Zealand
0:23:05 > 0:23:07and they're desperate to get the chance
0:23:07 > 0:23:09to represent the Falklands again.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11I'm hoping for both of us.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13We're first cousins and we're the same age.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15We've grown-up together, so...
0:23:15 > 0:23:18It's a nice little trip away together.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Now that we've been away to New Zealand, it's...
0:23:21 > 0:23:23It's nervous and you want to do it.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25After that experience, you get hooked on competing.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29The wool handlers are judged on everything from how they throw
0:23:29 > 0:23:32the fleece to how clean they keep the shearing board and the table.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34It can work any weight.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37That's the best thing about having competitions like this.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39You don't know what's going to happen on the day.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Sweep of the floor, hand in the air for Vicky Lee.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46Here we go. Well done.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Finally, it's Sammy's turn.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Sammy. You've got a good feeling?
0:23:51 > 0:23:54You and Victoria competed across in New Zealand.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58How are you feeling tonight? Try and get there again?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Oh, just try my best. That's the way you do it, isn't it?
0:24:01 > 0:24:04OK. You get out there and try your best.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07- Sammy, ladies and gentlemen. - CHEERING
0:24:09 > 0:24:11I'd like to go to Ireland this time.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13I didn't want to go last time when I went to New Zealand
0:24:13 > 0:24:16but actually loved it, so...
0:24:16 > 0:24:18I'd really like to have a crack at Ireland.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Just... Wait and see what happens, I guess.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23The standard's higher this year.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25There's a lot more younger ones that are going to have a crack at it.
0:24:27 > 0:24:33Wool is rolled. Has she cleared the table? Hand in the air!
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Sammy. Sammy!
0:24:38 > 0:24:40That's what you call sport, ladies and gentlemen.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Oh, yeah. My hands are shaking.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Yeah, it felt quite good, but that doesn't always mean...
0:24:51 > 0:24:55I didn't think the last one did and I qualified first, so...
0:24:55 > 0:24:57You just never know. It's luck of the draw.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59It's been a closely-fought contest.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04But at the end, only the judges know who's done well enough to qualify.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06The governor has come to hand out the prizes.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09I especially like the invites to events where I'm told
0:25:09 > 0:25:10I don't need to say anything,
0:25:10 > 0:25:13just a few words of encouragement to people.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15And then get put on stage with Toot.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17LAUGHTER
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Thank you very much. Excellent.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24He's paying out of his own pocket.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28The flights for the shearers, the wool handlers,
0:25:28 > 0:25:29who're going to Ireland.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32CHEERING
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Is that right?
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Some of that's right. I'm not sure about my own pocket though.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Well, I can only read what's on the paper.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51We're sending this year...
0:25:51 > 0:25:53with 52.40, Vicky Lee!
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Second place in the wool handling goes to Vicky.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Well done, Vick. I think you were second last year as well.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02But you're still there and you put a great performance in for us.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05- Don't cry, for God's sake! - LAUGHTER
0:26:05 > 0:26:08You've just pissed around with a bit of wool.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11With a score of 46.40,
0:26:11 > 0:26:16once again will be representing with Vicky, it's Sammy Lee!
0:26:16 > 0:26:19The winner for the second year running is Sammy,
0:26:19 > 0:26:23which means the two cousins are off to the World Championships.
0:26:24 > 0:26:25'Give Dad a kiss.'
0:26:27 > 0:26:31- Proud of yourself?- Er, yeah. - Well, you should be. Well done.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33CHEERING
0:26:36 > 0:26:37How did that turn out?
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Better than I expected, anyway!
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Yeah, couldn't have been better, could it?
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Can't get any better. We're going to Ireland next year.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47- In May.- Yeah. Very good.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52So, the last trophy. Champion Falkland shearer.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55And our first shearer will be...
0:26:55 > 0:26:57- Stefan... - CHEERING DROWNS SPEECH
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Well done.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08First of all, before we think about going away,
0:27:08 > 0:27:10what's it like to win that?
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Cos there's a lot of good names on there.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Great shearers of the Falklands. You must be proud.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Yeah, I guess. LAUGHTER
0:27:21 > 0:27:25I was lucky to make the final and then lucky to win, really.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28Yeah. No, I didn't think I'd be anywhere near, to be fair.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30So I'm very, very surprised.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Going to the championships
0:27:33 > 0:27:35is a great opportunity for these young islanders.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39As they head north, they'll stop off in other sheep shearing countries
0:27:39 > 0:27:42to take part in local competitions
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and hone their skills, so by the time they get to Ireland
0:27:45 > 0:27:48in six months' time, they'll be ready to take on the world.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50I want a photograph with you fellas.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52- Come and see me afterwards, all right?- Yeah.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Next time, the Reverend Richard is back from South Georgia
0:27:59 > 0:28:01and takes part in a very special event
0:28:01 > 0:28:05honouring the fallen of the 1982 conflict.
0:28:05 > 0:28:11At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13- ALL:- We will remember them.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15As you stand and look at the monuments,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18you'll see the very water where the Sir Tristram
0:28:18 > 0:28:22and the Galahad were at anchor and where they were hit
0:28:22 > 0:28:28by the planes with the bombs and too many people lost their lives.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31And the governor goes fishing.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35But they're just not biting.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38This is genuinely interesting. I really have no idea where they are.