Falklands Life

Get away from it all!

The essence of the Falklands experience is perhaps that feeling of simply getting away from it all. Life feels almost “in the raw” in many remote locations and an adventure in itself.

For long-stay visitors, the adventure begins by travelling in a twin-propeller Islander aircraft to land on a grass airstrip. Here you board a 4x4 vehicle to be transported to your accommodation. Everything is taken care of by your hosts, who will be on-hand throughout your stay.

Accommodation outside Stanley is farm-based and provides an understanding of how day to day activities are driven by the farming calendar.

Farm Life

Most farms offer the chance to view and some to participate in farm life first-hand. Sheep shearing and sheep herding using dogs happens almost everywhere. Orphaned lambs may need feeding – a treat for a child of any age!

Some farms continue to cut peat for fuel and may be keen for any helper to cut or rickle (build stacks of peat sods to dry). A few farms also keep cattle; some carry out daily milking by hand. If you can get up early enough, you may be invited to have a go!

Remote locations depend on monthly supplies from the inter-islands shipping service whilst the Government Air Service delivers visitors, post, top-up supplies and gossip that has not yet been communicated by electronic means. Your departure may include responsibility for the mail-bag.

A visit to the Falklands is not complete without a stay on farm to appreciate this aspect of Islands life.

Cruise visitors may call in to small islands and have the opportunity to partake in a traditional ‘smoko’ – tea/coffee with delicious home-baked treats, as well as perhaps viewing some farming activities (location dependent). These trips should most definitely be taken advantage of.

Staying in Stanley

Our tiny colourful, capital, Stanley, was granted city status in 2022. It is the hub of Falkland life with many events, throughout the year, showcasing Islanders hobbies, interests and day-to-day activities.

Home baking and local produce

For many families, home baking and bread making are the norm with a few still making their own butter. Vegetable gardens can be extensive with the produce pickled and preserved at the end of summer. Gardens are great to view and the tasty products are regularly enjoyed at the table. Diddle dee jam can be bought from many outlets in Stanley. Falklands lamb is a staple and enjoyed in most eateries. Desserts and puddings often incorporate local ingredients.

The annual ‘home baking and local produce’ show attracts entries from all around the Islands. Usually held towards the end of February, early March, rivalry is friendly but fierce and the show is well worth a visit if timing permits.

Craft activities

Many Islanders’ enjoy crafting in their spare time and produce lots of different items. The luxuriously soft wool makes excellent scarfs, hats, gloves, socks, slippers, brooches and fancy goods, created by knitting, weaving and felting. A felted soap is a wonderful body-scrub. Wood from shipwrecks is made into pens, replica “scrimshaw” into animal models and even the local newspaper, the “Penguin News” into bags, pouches and purses. Pottery is decorated with Falklands’ motifs and vintage fabrics recycled in ingenious ways.

The highlight of the crafting year is the ‘craft exhibition’ which shows items across a range of categories. Timing is flexible so look out for this as it finds a home in the Falklands’ calendar each year. Many items are on sale in souvenir shops along with artwork – admire the talents of painters and photographers alike; take home a memory of a poignant moment or wildlife antics.

Peat cutting

Peat is found in pockets all around the Falklands with large deposits in the area around Stanley. Without such a handy supply of fuel, settlement of the Islands would have been unlikely. The use of peat continued for many years though today has been replaced by kerosene or diesel in most households. The smell of peat burning is very nostalgic but only remains in the air at a few places around Stanley. However, some cruise itineraries offer tours of Stanley that include a visit to a peat bank with a detailed explanation of the peat cutting process.

The first Monday in the month of October is still designated as a public holiday, Peat Cutting Monday.

Dancing

Dancing is a popular activity in the Falklands. Dances have been held in Stanley since its founding in 1843. Outside Stanley, dances would be held frequently, especially in winter months. Today a number of dances feature annually including the May Ball, Winter Ball and Poppy Ball. Dancing is also part of Falklands “Sports” events.

Traditional dances include the Palais Glide, Valeta Waltz, La Rinka Waltz, Boston Two Step and the Falklands Circassian Circle. Though some events may be ticketed, anyone is welcome to attend, find a partner and join in the fun.