Falklands blog for Saturday April 6 2013
Statistics
Just a thought for this morning. What are the chances of someone in the islands developing acute appendicitis? For a population of 500,000 in the UK, we might expect around 100 cases per year: now follow the sums
100 cases per year /500000 population
line1 x5000 population of the Falklands
Total 1 patient
So, even with a fourfold epidemic that would only give one patient per three months – and we have had our patient for the first quarter …..…
This maths can be extended to cover other conditions. BUT … remember, like buses, everything comes in threes.
Fresh bread
You can’t get fresher than picking up a loaf that you have just seen being removed from the oven. In fact, it is so hot and fresh and damp, that you can’t really eat it. You should let it rest for a while, and then reheat it in the toaster to make soldiers to go with your breakfast eggs.
FIODA
The performance was everything we were hoping for and more. The opening night is the best; the nervous enthusiasm, the forgiving nature of the audience and the shear relief that at last, the night has come.
The hall was packed, FITV was there, so the DVD of the event will be available soon. To produce so much talent from such a small stock of around 2000 souls in Stanley is remarkable. I was beaten to press by Penguin News who had a page on the rehearsals, but I will be first to single out the star of the show. Cosette singing ‘Castle in a Cloud’ from Les Mis. A delight.
Stanley
Note, not Port Stanley, as there is no such place. Apparently, the name Port Stanley was used by the telegraph station to prevent confusion with the other Stanleys around the world. The port here is Port William and that is just a mooring, outside the narrows. Stanley is the town.
I was told that Mrs Thatcher used the name Port Stanley, and that a change of name was even considered to accommodate her.
But no, there are really only two places in the Falklands, Stanley and Camp (which of course is a myriad of delightful places – Port Howard amongst them)