Well. I've not written in a while. Unfortunately this is not because I have been on far too many day trips to find the time, or enjoying the beautiful weather. I simply haven't written because there has been nothing to write. Hmm...
The beautiful weather that I thought would set the scene for the summer has well and truely passed. We have had snow showers, hail storms and gail force winds for a week now. I've not been out anywhere interesting, as really waiting for James to get here now and explore places together.
I can't remember if I have mentioned the fires in a previous email or not... Last monday, so a full week ago now, when it was really hot and sunny, some farmers fires got a little out of hand. They have been burning ever since. Every spare helicopter, and spare person has been called to lend a hand in trying to extinguish the fires, with little success. As a result the sale of alcohol has been completely banned to ensure everyone is fit and fresh if they get the call. "Centralised Messing" is in force now too, basically they have closed the officer's mess and we all eat together with the sergeants and the junior ranks. Only trouble is the food isn't as nice and the opening times have been restricted. I was on a day shift yesterday and as well as the mess being shut, all the little cafes are also closed. This meant I couldn't get any lunch. By the time my shift had finished the joint mess had stopped serving dinner. And I slept in this morning as I am now on nights, so missed breakfast too. In the officers mess there is fresh fruit which you can help your self to, but not in the joint mess. The junior rank's mess is so scummy, there's even a note on the door to ~remind people to shower~ prior to entering if they have been to the gym. Honestly...
The update today was that the majority of the surface fires have been extinguished, but they are still burning 4 feet under ground. So the situation here will remain as it is for two weeks. UghhhhH!!!!! Apparently last time this happened some more fires cropped up 4 weeks later a mile down the road. Stuid peat fields.
I was warned that a three month detachment down here would see me getting "fat or fit". People had said you either spend your time in the bar or down the gym, I had intended to excell in all aspects of MPA life... However, with 3 weeks of missing meals and having not a single drop of wine, I shall be spending a lot of time in the gym.
It's really lovely getting emails from you all, and I had my first bit of post this week which is lovely. It's always nice to get handwritten post, so please keep writing!! It is free to send a bluey, a letter will get here with a regular stamp on it, and it is still free to post anything up to 2kg (including just letters!!) until Friday. It makes Airbridge day all the more exciting if I think there may be a letter for me!!
Miss Emma Compton
Met Office MPC
British Forces South Atlantic Islands
BFPO 655
I am hopefully going out for the day on Wednesday to San Carlos to see some museum, so will post about that soon!!
Cheers everyone!! Much love xxx (Can't believe I've been here two weeks already....)
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