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Fish-ing about in Falklands
ROB Whiteley is used to shivering through the winter in Sheffield.
But now he's wrapping up warmer than ever before - for a 12-month contract as a Scientific Fisheries Observer on the Falkland Islands, in the chilly south Atlantic Ocean.
Rob is working in the Falkland Islands Government fisheries department assessing the levels and types of fish living around the islands.
But despite being 8,000 miles from home he has managed to find a few similarities with living in the Steel City.
The 31-year-old former Myers Grove School pupil, who used to live in Malin Bridge, said: "It's such a beautiful place and, like Sheffield, you don't have to go too far to be in some fabulous countryside."
However, the wildlife found on the bleak and windswept islands, where penguins are a common sight, is a contrast to the huge variety of creatures living in the Peak District.
Rob, who studied his A-levels at Loxley College, is also enjoying the fresh air and tranquillity.
He said: "The Falklands isn't really like anywhere in the UK, except maybe the more remote community-based Scottish islands.
"The capital, Stanley, is a small town with a population of around 2,500 people and is the only large-scale settlement. The rest of the residents live in small, scattered agricultural communities.
"There's no heavy industry so the islands are unspoiled and untamed, with nature reigning supreme. Basically it's pretty far from being a large metropolitan city in the heart of northern England."
Rob stays in touch with his girlfriend and family, including brother Oliver - a professional golfer based at Hillsborough golf club - by email.
And although he is not planning to make his stay permanent, he hasn't ruled out returning to the islands on holiday.
"As much as I'm enjoying it, I won't be staying for good in the Falklands," said Rob.
"I came over here on a 12-month work contract and will be heading home once it's completed - but probably via a trip through South America.
"The shame is just how expensive it is to go between the UK and the Falklands because it's a definitely place I'd want to come back and visit."
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
