Everywhere outside Stanley is called camp. This is said to be derived from Spanish "campare" for country. The government has spent large sums of money developing a road network, to support a couple of hundred "campers" scattered over areas half the size of Wales. The roads are well maintained and gravelled, but do have very substantial ditches (and in some cases minefields) adjacent . The results of leaving the road can therefore be serious.
Beyond the end of the government network, there are vast areas of trails and farm tracks, criss-crossing the islands. The etiquette here is that before using private areas you phone the landowner, and in return, they will help should you become stuck on there property. People are generally pleased to help one another, and vehicles often travel equipped with a range of equipment such as "bogging boards" (for crossing boggy areas), spades, tow-ropes etc.
Speed limits in town are 25, and on "designated roads" 40 mph, At present most roads more than 5 miles from Stanley are undesignated, and you can drink and drive at any speed you wish.
On Saturday 8 November, an official opening of the new ferry terminal at Newhaven on the west side of East Falkland was held. The Governor (the Queen's representative on the Island) undertook the opening, with local the Councillors and 100 guests in attendance. It was reported that at his request no alcohol was served, in case of any problems arising with subsequent driving. However, even without alcohol, Falkland roads can be treacherous. With a gravel surface on which tail spin-out can easily lead to loss of control, and on the return trip to Stanley the governor lost control of his official car, with the results shown in this photo.
His comments were subsequently published in the weekly Penguin News, from which the following extracts are taken: "Helen and I would like to thank all those who offered support when I rolled the Crown car at the Saladero corner on out way back from the inauguration of the New Haven ferry terminal. Even though we were both unharmed, it was still a shock to the system. We have been overwhelmed by the subsequent 'phone calls and messages of concern that we have received.
Lessons learned for me are that Camp roads deserve the highest respect even in dry weather and that wearing seat belts saves lives and protects against injury.
Whilst I am deeply embarrassed and my dignity and reputation of being a relatively proficient driver has been seriously dented, at least we were uninjured - apart from a lost claw each, so were our two dogs. But I have a lot to learn about how to drive safely in the Falklands. Alan Huckle, Governor."
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