MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Book Prize for Former Falklands Veterinary Surgeon

The former Falklands Government senior veterinary surgeon, Andrew Coe, has been awarded a United Kingdom writing prize for his book entitled Falkland Adventure.

In descriptive prose and poetry and impressive photographs, he tells the story of his three years in the Islands with his wife and five young children. He was awarded the top prize of £250 for the best self-published non-fiction book in the annual David Thomas Charitable Trust Awards promoted by the United Kingdom's "Writing Magazine" and "Writers News".

Mr Coe, now working as a veterinary surgeon in Scotland, was presented with his award in London at the English Speaking Union. Andrew Coe had a busy time in the Falklands as a vet. But it is in his descriptions of his family's adventures, their friendships with the Islanders, and how his children came face to face with the wondrous wildlife, that his book excels. His outstanding wildlife pictures are matched by imaginative snapshots portraying his children's wonderment, interest and zest for life in the open, so close to nature. He narrates their adventures with affection -- and obvious yearning for the land his family has now left.

"The Falklands", he writes, "is a land of mystery..that defies definition, full of surprises and a stirrer of mixed and powerful emotions. A stark bare landscape...which, with time, gets beneath your skin, into your heart and mind, and yes, into your soul itself. There is a clarity of light and colour, a serenity of spirit, and a peace and beauty that reaches inside you, and once there will remain for eternity...."Each and every day I think of the land, the people, the wildlife and of the most amazing experiences we had....."

Mr Coe goes on to describe those experiences, seeing penguins, elephant seals, King cormorants and albatross; fishing in the creeks and rivers; and beachcombing on the white sand beaches.

Friendly Encounters with Islanders

His literary landscapes meander through many places, bringing pleasurable encounters with hospitable Islanders .... Dave Gray at Sea Lion Lodge .... whale-watching in Berkeley Sound on David McLeod's boat .... seeing albatross with Dave and Sue Pole-Evans at Saunders Island ..... the kindness of Roddy and Lily Napier at West Point .... enjoying a huge roast lamb supper with Tony and Lyn Blake at Little Chartres .... having his land rover hauled out of boggy ground by Jen