I'm home, exhausted and finding it hard to put into words everything I have experienced over the past few weeks. But, I think these pictures say it all.....
Saturday, March 29, 2008
A picture paints a thousand words......
I'm home, exhausted and finding it hard to put into words everything I have experienced over the past few weeks. But, I think these pictures say it all.....
Thursday, March 20, 2008
5 days in 1
The past few days have been a little out of the ordinary…. as you would expect!! We set off from Ushuaia on Saturday evening and sailed down the very calm Beagle Channel to reach Drakes Passage. The evening on board the ship was relaxed with everybody sitting around chatting about the journey we were just embarking on. I went to bed around 11pm so that I could be fast asleep by the time we reached the Drake. Everything went to plan, I was fast asleep by the time we got there, but as soon as the boat started rocking, that was me awake. I spent the rest of the night rolling from one side of the mattress to the other, as the boat rolled around in the 2 metre swell.
We had an alarm call at around 8am the following morning, and me and my room mate both sat up and compared how we were feeling. I thought that I was ok, feeling that the rocking, whilst it had kept me awake, was actually fairly pleasant. My room mate agreed and we decided that because of the relatively calm seas, we weren’t going to suffer sea-sickness. So, we started to get ready for breakfast, and that’s when things started to look a little dodgy. We persevered though, and when it was announced that breakfast was ready, we both ventured down the stairs and stood in the queue. And that’s as far as I got – the queue!! The queue was fairly long and stretched out into the corridor. I’d been stood there for 5 minutes or so, waiting for my turn to go through into the restaurant. It was warm, it was rocking, there were no windows, there were lots of people…….need I say more? I ran out through the corridor, into the lounge and out to the back of the boat. Amusingly (or at least it seems so now!) as I was running through the ship, I was taking as many steps to each side as I was going forward!! I spent an hour or so stood outside with one of my colleagues as we both battled our queasiness, before we finally admitted that we needed to lie down. Besides, it was freezing outside and we kept having to go to our rooms to get extra clothes!
So, that was Sunday – spent in bed!!
Monday was pretty uneventful really. We sailed towards the South Shetland Islands where we would be meeting the advance party the day after. We arrived in the early evening and dropped anchor close to Bellingshausen. During dinner we had a surprise visitor. Robert Swan, who we weren’t expecting to meet until the day after, had mad an impromptu boatride from shore to ship to say hello. It was a really good surprise! He stayed on board for an hour or so before departing back to the ebase for his final night. Later on that evening, we had word that some bad weather was moving in and we were moving the ship to a safer position.
The bad weather from Monday evening continued with bells on during the whole of Tuesday. We were due to land at Bellingshausen station, but only half of our team managed to make it in the morning. I was left behind on board ship and had to wait to see if the weather was going to clear. At around 2pm it was announced that we were clear to go and had to get our cold weather gear on. What followed has to be the most miserable 4 hours of my entire life!! It was cold (-30 with wind chill), snowing, so very wet, slushy under foot, and very very windy. We spent an hour at the ebase and I was praying for them to say that the weather had turned really bad so that we could go back to the ship. But no! We were dragged out for a walk for 2 hours to see some seals (well we saw 1!!) and to see a bit of the island! I was so happy when I was back on the Zodiac boat heading back to the ship!
A couple of hours later I’d had a shower, something to eat and had started to warm up. It was only then that I could start to put the experience behind me!
Today has been the complete opposite! We were woken at 6.30 am to calm seas and clear skies. The wake up call was made by one of the team leaders urging us to get up on deck. We were entering iceberg alley!! And it was spectacular! Really really beautiful! Words really can not describe what it was like so you’ll have to wait for the pictures!
After that we had a few activities on board ship before getting ready to go ashore. In contrast to yesterday, it was an absolute pleasure! One of our activities on shore was to spend some time reflecting on where we were and why we were there. Myself and my partner for the exercise, Marianne, sat just by a huge rock. And as it turns out it was a bit of a main road for penguins! At one point, we had 3 penguins tottering past us within a couple of feet. It was just amazing. Then we went to do the obligatory photo shoot with our company flags, before heading back to the ship. I think for the first time I have really felt how amazing this place is!
We had an alarm call at around 8am the following morning, and me and my room mate both sat up and compared how we were feeling. I thought that I was ok, feeling that the rocking, whilst it had kept me awake, was actually fairly pleasant. My room mate agreed and we decided that because of the relatively calm seas, we weren’t going to suffer sea-sickness. So, we started to get ready for breakfast, and that’s when things started to look a little dodgy. We persevered though, and when it was announced that breakfast was ready, we both ventured down the stairs and stood in the queue. And that’s as far as I got – the queue!! The queue was fairly long and stretched out into the corridor. I’d been stood there for 5 minutes or so, waiting for my turn to go through into the restaurant. It was warm, it was rocking, there were no windows, there were lots of people…….need I say more? I ran out through the corridor, into the lounge and out to the back of the boat. Amusingly (or at least it seems so now!) as I was running through the ship, I was taking as many steps to each side as I was going forward!! I spent an hour or so stood outside with one of my colleagues as we both battled our queasiness, before we finally admitted that we needed to lie down. Besides, it was freezing outside and we kept having to go to our rooms to get extra clothes!
So, that was Sunday – spent in bed!!
Monday was pretty uneventful really. We sailed towards the South Shetland Islands where we would be meeting the advance party the day after. We arrived in the early evening and dropped anchor close to Bellingshausen. During dinner we had a surprise visitor. Robert Swan, who we weren’t expecting to meet until the day after, had mad an impromptu boatride from shore to ship to say hello. It was a really good surprise! He stayed on board for an hour or so before departing back to the ebase for his final night. Later on that evening, we had word that some bad weather was moving in and we were moving the ship to a safer position.
The bad weather from Monday evening continued with bells on during the whole of Tuesday. We were due to land at Bellingshausen station, but only half of our team managed to make it in the morning. I was left behind on board ship and had to wait to see if the weather was going to clear. At around 2pm it was announced that we were clear to go and had to get our cold weather gear on. What followed has to be the most miserable 4 hours of my entire life!! It was cold (-30 with wind chill), snowing, so very wet, slushy under foot, and very very windy. We spent an hour at the ebase and I was praying for them to say that the weather had turned really bad so that we could go back to the ship. But no! We were dragged out for a walk for 2 hours to see some seals (well we saw 1!!) and to see a bit of the island! I was so happy when I was back on the Zodiac boat heading back to the ship!
A couple of hours later I’d had a shower, something to eat and had started to warm up. It was only then that I could start to put the experience behind me!
Today has been the complete opposite! We were woken at 6.30 am to calm seas and clear skies. The wake up call was made by one of the team leaders urging us to get up on deck. We were entering iceberg alley!! And it was spectacular! Really really beautiful! Words really can not describe what it was like so you’ll have to wait for the pictures!
After that we had a few activities on board ship before getting ready to go ashore. In contrast to yesterday, it was an absolute pleasure! One of our activities on shore was to spend some time reflecting on where we were and why we were there. Myself and my partner for the exercise, Marianne, sat just by a huge rock. And as it turns out it was a bit of a main road for penguins! At one point, we had 3 penguins tottering past us within a couple of feet. It was just amazing. Then we went to do the obligatory photo shoot with our company flags, before heading back to the ship. I think for the first time I have really felt how amazing this place is!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Next stop ........... Antarctica......
The day has finally arrived. Today we are getting on board the MV Ushuaia to set off on the journey to Antarctica. We had a weather forecast last night and by all accounts the winds will be light and variable. That was a bit of a relief, as sea sickness has been the thing that I've been dreading the most. We will have 2 days on board the ship and will continue with the Leadership on the Edge program whilst we travel to the Antarctica.
There will be 73 people travelling to Antarctica as part of this expedition and when we arrive on King George Island, there will be a further 7 people to meet us. There is quite a mix of people here and it is interesting to see all the different personalities. My usual approach to situations like these is to sit back for a short time and observe how people interact with each other, and to see the different personalities come out. It makes very interesting watching!!
I spent a little time in Ushuaia this morning, just wandering around the shops and taking in the atmosphere of the city. It's quite an eclectic mix of shops, catering for tourists, travellers, mountaineers and locals. I imagine that the next time I see the city it will seem incredibly built up and populated after the desolation of Antarctica.
There will be 73 people travelling to Antarctica as part of this expedition and when we arrive on King George Island, there will be a further 7 people to meet us. There is quite a mix of people here and it is interesting to see all the different personalities. My usual approach to situations like these is to sit back for a short time and observe how people interact with each other, and to see the different personalities come out. It makes very interesting watching!!
I spent a little time in Ushuaia this morning, just wandering around the shops and taking in the atmosphere of the city. It's quite an eclectic mix of shops, catering for tourists, travellers, mountaineers and locals. I imagine that the next time I see the city it will seem incredibly built up and populated after the desolation of Antarctica.
Friday, March 14, 2008
A walk in the hills
Well, the Leadership on the Edge program started proper today. We met early, 7.30, and had a presentation from our team leaders. At 8 am, Robert Swan appeared on the screen live from Antarctica and spoke for about 10 minutes to introduce the program and to talk about what he has been doing down there in the south.
Following on from that, we embarked on our first challenge. It was a 4 hour hike to see a glacier. And it was a challenge! Firstly, we were dropped off a the start point with no map, and only the sketchiest of instructions. From there we had to walk about 2 1/2 kilometers to the bottom of the glacier. The first 3 quarters of the walk were fairly straight forward, but then followed a section that was really quite challenging. It was a really steep slope, up loose stones that were wet, and therefore very slippy. The group became very strung out as everyone has different levels of fitness. But, we got there, and it was totally worth it. The views were spectacular, and it was amazing to look up at the glacier. We stayed at the foot of the glacier for around half an hour or so taking photos and chatting, before we headed back down to the hotel.
Once we'd had lunch, we continued with the Leadership on the Edge program which had us talking about teams and how they function. We then had to make an assessment of how we thought we'd worked as a team. The discussion was really illuminating and shows that different people can have significant different experiences of the same event.
Following on from that, we embarked on our first challenge. It was a 4 hour hike to see a glacier. And it was a challenge! Firstly, we were dropped off a the start point with no map, and only the sketchiest of instructions. From there we had to walk about 2 1/2 kilometers to the bottom of the glacier. The first 3 quarters of the walk were fairly straight forward, but then followed a section that was really quite challenging. It was a really steep slope, up loose stones that were wet, and therefore very slippy. The group became very strung out as everyone has different levels of fitness. But, we got there, and it was totally worth it. The views were spectacular, and it was amazing to look up at the glacier. We stayed at the foot of the glacier for around half an hour or so taking photos and chatting, before we headed back down to the hotel.
Once we'd had lunch, we continued with the Leadership on the Edge program which had us talking about teams and how they function. We then had to make an assessment of how we thought we'd worked as a team. The discussion was really illuminating and shows that different people can have significant different experiences of the same event.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The journey continues
This morning we got up at a truly unreasonable hour to travel down to Ushuaia. I couldn't believe it when the alarm went off at 5am! But I managed to drag myself out of bed to get ready for the early flight. We'd arranged a minibus for 6am to take the 12 of us (and a significant amount of luggage!) across to the airport. Almost everyone else seemed to be feeling the effects of the early morning and it was luckily a very quiet journey to the airport. Once there, it was like being on autopilot - check in, leave luggage, coffee, security, wait at gate, bus to aircraft, seatbelt, safety demonstration - then back to sleep!!! There were lots of other people from the expedition who were also taking the same flight down to Ushuaia. This resulted in lots of introductions, but I decided that in order to retain a certain amount of sanity I would save the introductions until we arrived. So, I sat and pretended to read a magazine. It was comical really, as my eyes could hardly focus, but it seemed to do the trick and I was spared having to join in conversations!! There's plenty of time to make up for it!
I missed most of the flight, apart from when they brought the food around, and then woke up properly as we were decending over the mountains and in to land. The scenery was incredibly - snow topped mountains, rivers, forests set off by an amazing coastline! When we landed we were met by a group of people from 2041 who ferried us up to the hotel. It's a hotel quite high out of the city and the views are incredible!
We were allocated rooms and had our gear checked to make sure we had the right kind of cold weather clothes, then we were left to our own devices for the rest of the day. I spent some quiet time writing in my journal and taking in the views from the hotel. I'm now writing this sat in front of a huge open log fire, and keeping an eye on the sunset, which is just spectacular!
I missed most of the flight, apart from when they brought the food around, and then woke up properly as we were decending over the mountains and in to land. The scenery was incredibly - snow topped mountains, rivers, forests set off by an amazing coastline! When we landed we were met by a group of people from 2041 who ferried us up to the hotel. It's a hotel quite high out of the city and the views are incredible!
We were allocated rooms and had our gear checked to make sure we had the right kind of cold weather clothes, then we were left to our own devices for the rest of the day. I spent some quiet time writing in my journal and taking in the views from the hotel. I'm now writing this sat in front of a huge open log fire, and keeping an eye on the sunset, which is just spectacular!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The team reunited
Another great day in Buenos Aires! This morning we travelled to the airport to meet some of the team arriving on the early flights. It was so good to see them come through to the arrivals hall as it was the start of our team getting together again for the first time since January. James, Eric and John arrived this morning so we had the rest of the afternoon together having lunch and getting to know each other again. Then this afternoon Delando arrived and amused us all with stories of his exploits getting through customs. This evening we went out for dinner, but made sure we were back to meet the rest of the team who were all arriving together on a late flight from Europe. Once we were all together again we had an hour or so just chatting about our travels and what the next 2 weeks hold for us.
It's been a good start to the expedition and I look forward to spending time with this group of people and getting to know everyone better.
Now, though, it's time to turn in for the night. We have an early start tomorrow - we have to be checked out by 6am in order to get to the airport for our early flight!!
It's been a good start to the expedition and I look forward to spending time with this group of people and getting to know everyone better.
Now, though, it's time to turn in for the night. We have an early start tomorrow - we have to be checked out by 6am in order to get to the airport for our early flight!!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A wander in the city
My first day in
As I landed this morning, I received a message from a colleague who I worked with a number of years ago. It was such a lovely surprise. The message said that everyone I used to work with in Industrial Coatings in Darwen,
Monday, March 10, 2008
Best laid plans....
Not a great start to my journey. Due to high winds in the south of England my British Airways flight to Heathrow has been cancelled. I had a few options, but time was not on my side, so a train journey or a car journey down to London were not really feasible! So, I set off to Newcastle airport to see what they could do. The staff on the customer service desk were really struggling because of all the cancellations, and were really of very little help. However, the girls in the office had already checked out alternatives for me so I knew there was a Jet2 flight down to Gatwick at 5pm. I decided that this was the only realistic option if I was to stand any chance of making my connection at 9.25 pm. However, I'm now sat in the departure lounge and it has just been annouced that the flight is delayed by half an hour!! Oh joy! That reduces the amount of time that I have in London to get from one airport to the other! Oh well, life is just one big adventure, isn't it!!!
Everything else today apart from that went quite smoothly. I've packed ok, and although it was a bit of a squeeze, everything I wanted to take went in. I don't think I've forgotten anything, but time will tell on that one.
I hope that next time I write my blog I'm in Buenos Aires!!
Everything else today apart from that went quite smoothly. I've packed ok, and although it was a bit of a squeeze, everything I wanted to take went in. I don't think I've forgotten anything, but time will tell on that one.
I hope that next time I write my blog I'm in Buenos Aires!!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Life in the Freezer
One more sleep to go and I'm off on my travels! It's been a busy day of ironing, sorting and packing ready for setting off tomorrow. I also managed to find time to watch David Attenborough's "Life in the Freezer" which is a documentary series about Antarctica. I feel as though I'm ready to go now!
In an unprecedented moment of organisation I made list of things that I need to do tomorrow. I didn't add that I also need to pack as I thought I'd get around to doing it this evening! However, I opened a celebratory bottle of champagne earlier this evening, then went out for something to eat, and now I know that it isn't going to happen tonight!
From a practical perspective communications may change over the next few days. My blog is now being updated also on www.missionantarctica.com so if you find that I haven't made an entry on this site, then please check that on. Also, if that one isn't updated then check out http://expedition.2041.com/
In an unprecedented moment of organisation I made list of things that I need to do tomorrow. I didn't add that I also need to pack as I thought I'd get around to doing it this evening! However, I opened a celebratory bottle of champagne earlier this evening, then went out for something to eat, and now I know that it isn't going to happen tonight!
From a practical perspective communications may change over the next few days. My blog is now being updated also on www.missionantarctica.com so if you find that I haven't made an entry on this site, then please check that on. Also, if that one isn't updated then check out http://expedition.2041.com/
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Only 2 more sleeps!!!!!!!!!
Today I've been running around trying to get the last minute things that I haven't managed to get yet. I wanted to try and get everything sorted today so that I can relax tomorrow. I'm going out with some friends tonight so it's possible that I might be a little delicate in the morning! I've been worried that I haven't got enough warm "stuff" to take with me, so I've been out and bought another couple of merino wool jumpers just in case!
The only things that I haven't managed to get yet are camera batteries. Apparently camera batteries lose their power really quickly in cold environments and we were advised to take a few spare ones with us. However, up until now I'd forgotten about them, so today whilst I was running around I thought I'd better go and get some. But, the 2 stores that I went into didn't stock the ones that I needed. I guess that means that I'll have to spend some time tomorrow on the internet to find a local store that stocks the ones that I need.
Once I'd stopped running around, it was nice to have an evening with friends just chatting and having a few drinks. We went out to a local Italian for pizza and a couple of glasses of wine, then back to my house to end the evening with a nightcap!
Only 2 more sleeps!!!!!
The only things that I haven't managed to get yet are camera batteries. Apparently camera batteries lose their power really quickly in cold environments and we were advised to take a few spare ones with us. However, up until now I'd forgotten about them, so today whilst I was running around I thought I'd better go and get some. But, the 2 stores that I went into didn't stock the ones that I needed. I guess that means that I'll have to spend some time tomorrow on the internet to find a local store that stocks the ones that I need.
Once I'd stopped running around, it was nice to have an evening with friends just chatting and having a few drinks. We went out to a local Italian for pizza and a couple of glasses of wine, then back to my house to end the evening with a nightcap!
Only 2 more sleeps!!!!!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Organised chaos
Today has been a day of domestics. Well, in between catching up on sleep that is! I've also been trying to get things organised for packing on Sunday. Easier said than done! I have a tendency towards being a little chaotic and so organisation is not one of my strong points. Add to that the fact that I get distracted easily, and you do not have a recipe for effective packing! So today, I've spent the time wandering around the house moving things from one place to another, in the hope that at some point, all the things that I want to take with me will end up in the same place. Up to now, that's not happened! I still have things that I'm taking strewn around the house - boots at the front door, rucksack in the spare room, water bottles in the kitchen, etc. It would probably help if I could decide which room I wanted everything to end up in - ie which room will play host to the eventual packing extravaganza, but that seems to change on a regular basis.
Tomorrow I'm going for my expedition hair cut and pedicure........ so what if my toes won't see the light of day for 2 weeks - at least I'll know they look nice!! It feels as though I'm going away for a really long time, much more than the 2 weeks or so that I'll actually be gone. It's probably because the preparations have been quite significant in comparison to a holiday of the same duration. So much kit to buy, things to read, arrangements to be made etc. It'll be a relief to finally set off!!
Tomorrow I'm going for my expedition hair cut and pedicure........ so what if my toes won't see the light of day for 2 weeks - at least I'll know they look nice!! It feels as though I'm going away for a really long time, much more than the 2 weeks or so that I'll actually be gone. It's probably because the preparations have been quite significant in comparison to a holiday of the same duration. So much kit to buy, things to read, arrangements to be made etc. It'll be a relief to finally set off!!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Boogie with the penguins
I've now arrived back home from China, so the countdown is well and truly on. I had a really lovely surprise when I got home. There was a good luck card in the mail from my cousin Clare and her two boys, Piper and Patrick. I was really touched!! There was also a photo of them with a note asking if there was room in my bag to take it with me. So, Piper, of course I'll take it to Antarctica, and will do a little "Happy Feet" boogie with the penguins.
I know this is a short message, but I've been up for about 23 hours, and I'm shattered! Only 4 more sleeps until I set off again for Argentina!!!
I know this is a short message, but I've been up for about 23 hours, and I'm shattered! Only 4 more sleeps until I set off again for Argentina!!!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The 3 degrees
Well, this is my last night in China! Felt quite strange today as it is the my last proper day at work before I go to Antarctica. The team here were really funny, joking about me getting frozen in time and someone discovering me in about 3000 years from now, with the Asia Pacific risk profile still on my computer! But, this is it!! I'm on my way home tomorrow, then next stop Antarctica!!!!
Today I've been trying to find out when the rest of the Akzo Nobel team are arriving in Buenos Aires. I was sure I was going to be the first so just wanted to know when I would have company. One of my colleagues from the US is arriving just about the same time as me, so at least I'll have someone to explore the city with on my first day there. The rest of the team are arriving at different times during the day after, so I'm sure by the end of the day we'll all be sitting in the bar toasting the adventures to come.
I've been checking on the team already down in the south and they have posted some more film footage. It was quite amusing to watch them erecting the E-home. Especially as there was some time lapse footage of them furnishing the place! It's a rather balmy 3 degrees down there at the moment - bet it's colder than that in Consett!!
Today I've been trying to find out when the rest of the Akzo Nobel team are arriving in Buenos Aires. I was sure I was going to be the first so just wanted to know when I would have company. One of my colleagues from the US is arriving just about the same time as me, so at least I'll have someone to explore the city with on my first day there. The rest of the team are arriving at different times during the day after, so I'm sure by the end of the day we'll all be sitting in the bar toasting the adventures to come.
I've been checking on the team already down in the south and they have posted some more film footage. It was quite amusing to watch them erecting the E-home. Especially as there was some time lapse footage of them furnishing the place! It's a rather balmy 3 degrees down there at the moment - bet it's colder than that in Consett!!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Solar panels aplenty
It's been great being over here in China for the past couple of days. Everyone seems to be really interested in our expedition to Antarctica. I'm forever being asked questions about it, which is good as it shows that there is real interest in what we are doing. It also shows that the publicity is working!
One of the things I've noticed over here is the number of apartment buildings. I was in a city called Suzhou for the first part of the week, which is less metropolitan than Shanghai, and there were rows upon rows of tower blocks, like you would see rows of terraced houses over in the UK. You think of China as being such a vast country, but in the cities, population must really be an issue. But, more noteworthy than that was that every tower block and house had solar panels on the roof. Is it out of necessity, or is China streets ahead of the West when it comes to renewable energy? Either way, we should take a leaf out of their book as I can't remember the last time I saw solar panels in Europe.
I've also taken a little time to catch up on what's going on our team members already in the south. There isn't any new film footage on the site, but there are some photos and a diary entry which show that the e-home is now up and they have moved in. I also checked out the temperature and was rather pleased to see that it was 1 degree Celcius. Well that must be a first - me being pleased with a temperature just above freezing!!!!
Monday, March 3, 2008
The dreaded Drake's Passage
As part of the Inspire Antarctica Expedition 2008, Robert Swan was going to live at the e-base at Bellingshausen station, for 2 weeks before the rest of the expedition arrived, and survive solely on renewable energy. The advance party arrived there yesterday and are trying to set up their home. Unfortunately, it's proving a little windy, and so things haven't gone quite to plan. However, they are there and they are broadcasting, so check out http://ebase.2041.com/ .
It's quite a good site - there's some photos of the team that are out there now, plus some film footage. It's quite amazing to think that they are there now, and in a week or so, I'll be there to join them!! I got really quite excited when I saw the film. It made it all a lot more real.
There were pictures, however, of Drake's Passage, which is notoriously rough, and it made me think about how I'm going to handle the sea sickness. I know for sure that I'll suffer, but how I deal with it is up to me. I can take some sea sickness tablets and know that I'll be pretty much knocked out for a couple of days, or I can grin and bear it, and suffer for a couple of days. I'm just not sure which direction to go in. I do have some of those sea sickness bands, but can't help thinking that they're for the occasional ferry crossing that might get a little bit lively, not for the roughest sea crossing known to man!!
It's quite a good site - there's some photos of the team that are out there now, plus some film footage. It's quite amazing to think that they are there now, and in a week or so, I'll be there to join them!! I got really quite excited when I saw the film. It made it all a lot more real.
There were pictures, however, of Drake's Passage, which is notoriously rough, and it made me think about how I'm going to handle the sea sickness. I know for sure that I'll suffer, but how I deal with it is up to me. I can take some sea sickness tablets and know that I'll be pretty much knocked out for a couple of days, or I can grin and bear it, and suffer for a couple of days. I'm just not sure which direction to go in. I do have some of those sea sickness bands, but can't help thinking that they're for the occasional ferry crossing that might get a little bit lively, not for the roughest sea crossing known to man!!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Morning people
One of the good things about travelling and being away from home is that it gives you a little bit of time to yourself. The domesticity of normal life is removed, because someone else cooks dinner, prepares breakfast, makes the bed, drives you to work etc, and you don't even have to consider what to wear because that decision was probably made when you packed. So once you remove all those daily chores, you are left with some (granted, not a lot!) time to do some of the more indulgent things - relaxing in the bath, reading in bed and watching tv. Well, they're my indulgent things anyway! With that in mind, I brought myself a couple of books to read. One of them is one that I was lent by a work colleague - The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Gerrard, who was part of Scott's expedition to the South Pole. I've been trying to get around to reading it for a while, but just don't seem to have had the time. Hopefully over the next couple of days, I'll be able to make a start. The other book I brought is one by Robert Swan - Destination Antarctica. I've got a couple of his books and I've been trying to get through them before I go. Maybe I'll just take them with me instead.
I've been trying to imagine what the expedition is going to be like and how I'm going to handle it. The thing I think I'm most worried about is how I'm going to manage being with so many people constantly for 2 weeks. Everyone who knows me, knows that I'm just not a morning person. But more than that, I struggle if surrounded by people who are. To me, morning people = noise and that's one thing I can't handle when I've just woken up! Actually, it's not just the noise, it's being expected to respond. I've learnt some tricks over the years to help me deal with morning situations where I'm surrounded by people who are more awake than I am. They usually involve looking intently in another direction, or wandering off somewhere, or if all else fails, pretending to be asleep! Maybe this expedition will teach me tolerance! I was going to say that I may come back a morning person myself, but no, that would need a miracle!
I've been trying to imagine what the expedition is going to be like and how I'm going to handle it. The thing I think I'm most worried about is how I'm going to manage being with so many people constantly for 2 weeks. Everyone who knows me, knows that I'm just not a morning person. But more than that, I struggle if surrounded by people who are. To me, morning people = noise and that's one thing I can't handle when I've just woken up! Actually, it's not just the noise, it's being expected to respond. I've learnt some tricks over the years to help me deal with morning situations where I'm surrounded by people who are more awake than I am. They usually involve looking intently in another direction, or wandering off somewhere, or if all else fails, pretending to be asleep! Maybe this expedition will teach me tolerance! I was going to say that I may come back a morning person myself, but no, that would need a miracle!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Giant memory stick
It doesn't seem that long since I last wrote my blog. Because I'm flying for most of the day, I thought I'd write this quite early. So, I'm sat here in the lounge at Newcastle airport awaiting a delayed flight to Amsterdam. The flight is delayed so much that it is making my connection to Shanghai really quite tight. But, I'm trying not to get concerned about it. After all, there's nothing I can do, so there's no point worrying! Well, I might just treat my self to an early afternoon gin and tonic!
Over the past few weeks I've been trying to decide whether or not to take my laptop to Antarctica with me. The main reason I would want it is so I'm able to download other people's photos. But today I think I have found just the gadget - an external hard drive that will store up to 45,000 photos!! Perfect! And really quite compact too. Like a giant memory stick!
Over the past few weeks I've been trying to decide whether or not to take my laptop to Antarctica with me. The main reason I would want it is so I'm able to download other people's photos. But today I think I have found just the gadget - an external hard drive that will store up to 45,000 photos!! Perfect! And really quite compact too. Like a giant memory stick!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Looking forward to a 10 hour flight??
Yesterday when I left the office I forgot to put my "out of office" on for when I'm in China. Today I was switching it on, and it dawned on me that I won't be back in the office in Felling properly until the 31st March! That's a whole month away! It seemed too long, so I put that I'll be back in the office next Friday. I imagine that I will pop into the office for a couple of hours that day in between recovering from jet lag and unpacking!
I do feel like I am almost sorted with everything now though, which is quite a relief. Because I've been so busy running around doing things I've not felt as though I had been achieving very much. But now that I have most of my equipment, I feel as though I can breathe a little bit easier. I'm almost looking forward to the 10 hour flight to Shanghai so that I can have some time when I don't actually have to do anything. I can sleep, read or watch a film and not feel like I need to be running here there and everywhere!
I'm only going away for 5 days, but when you travel long haul, it always feels as though you are going away for ages. I'm looking forward to this trip. I'll only have 3 days in the office, but the work that I'll be doing when I'm out there I really enjoy. Plus I get to meet up with some colleagues who I haven't seen for a while. I'll be back on Thursday and then the real countdown will start!
I do feel like I am almost sorted with everything now though, which is quite a relief. Because I've been so busy running around doing things I've not felt as though I had been achieving very much. But now that I have most of my equipment, I feel as though I can breathe a little bit easier. I'm almost looking forward to the 10 hour flight to Shanghai so that I can have some time when I don't actually have to do anything. I can sleep, read or watch a film and not feel like I need to be running here there and everywhere!
I'm only going away for 5 days, but when you travel long haul, it always feels as though you are going away for ages. I'm looking forward to this trip. I'll only have 3 days in the office, but the work that I'll be doing when I'm out there I really enjoy. Plus I get to meet up with some colleagues who I haven't seen for a while. I'll be back on Thursday and then the real countdown will start!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Google me!
I've made it into Google!!! Yesterday a friend mentioned that he'd found my blog by searching on my name and Akzo Nobel. So I wondered if I could find it with just my name. And there I was!! Ok, it was on page 2, but even so, I was still just a little bit chuffed!!
Yesterday when I arrived home there was a card behind my door to say that a courier had tried to deliver a parcel. Today, after a number of phone calls I managed to track down the parcel - it had been delivered to my next door neighbour. It was really exciting, because this was the parcel I had been waiting for! When I opened it, it was full of socks, gloves, thermals, trousers and lots of other bits and pieces that will serve me well in the cold continent! I think I am finally ready with all the equipment I need.
Tomorrow I'm off work to get myself ready for China, and also try and get myself a bit more organised for Antarctica - after all, it's only 11 more sleeps!!
Yesterday when I arrived home there was a card behind my door to say that a courier had tried to deliver a parcel. Today, after a number of phone calls I managed to track down the parcel - it had been delivered to my next door neighbour. It was really exciting, because this was the parcel I had been waiting for! When I opened it, it was full of socks, gloves, thermals, trousers and lots of other bits and pieces that will serve me well in the cold continent! I think I am finally ready with all the equipment I need.
Tomorrow I'm off work to get myself ready for China, and also try and get myself a bit more organised for Antarctica - after all, it's only 11 more sleeps!!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Hitting the ground running
I can finally sit back and relax after 2 hectic days in The Netherlands. But I sit back knowing that the past 2 days have gone better than I could have ever imagined. Before I set out I wasn't sure how the conference was going to go. I guess there's always a risk associated with putting together such a diverse group, but it really worked! And I know that this project will be a success because of their diversity and the enthusiasm that they bring with them. It's an enthusiasm that the whole project team share for making a difference both within our business, and in their every day lives. One of the critical success factors for this project was getting the right team together and I am 100% confident that we have achieved this.
So now I'm back in the UK, but not for long. I have 2 full days at home before I head off to China! I sometimes wonder how I manage to fit everything in! In the next 2 days I want to get as much sorted for Antarctica as I can, even if it's just a case of making lists of things to do. That way, when I get back from China next Thursday, I can hit the ground running - I'll only have 4 days at home in between China and Antarctica!!
When I arrived home this evening, there was a card behind my door to let me know that a courier had tried to deliver a parcel. I'm hoping that this is the big parcel I've been waiting for with the majority of the things I need for the expedition. I'll collect the parcel tomorrow, and it'll be like Christmas again!!
So now I'm back in the UK, but not for long. I have 2 full days at home before I head off to China! I sometimes wonder how I manage to fit everything in! In the next 2 days I want to get as much sorted for Antarctica as I can, even if it's just a case of making lists of things to do. That way, when I get back from China next Thursday, I can hit the ground running - I'll only have 4 days at home in between China and Antarctica!!
When I arrived home this evening, there was a card behind my door to let me know that a courier had tried to deliver a parcel. I'm hoping that this is the big parcel I've been waiting for with the majority of the things I need for the expedition. I'll collect the parcel tomorrow, and it'll be like Christmas again!!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The beginning of a successful project...
13 sleeps to go and this one I'm really ready for! It has been a fantastic day. All the project team met in reception this morning and I knew straight away that it was going to be a good day. Once we were settled into our meeting room, we started the program with some words from Andre Veneman, Akzo Nobel CSR Director, delivered by Jaap van den Akker our BU CSR Manager. This was followed by introductions by each of the project team members and also our consultants from T&E. Next was the start of the program that was to take most of the day. It was a series of presentations and group exercises delivered by Kjerstin Ludvig and Karin Sanne from T&E. The program went really well. Our project team really engaged in the subject and during the group exercises it was difficult to limit our discussions to the 20 minutes allowed. Everyone has a lot to say on the issues of sustainability and this project will benefit from the enthusiasm that was displayed during these discussion exercises. We completed the program today with a short presentation about Robert Swan and his organisation, and a couple of film clips about Antarctica.
To continue the theme of sustainability, we visited a restaurant this evening in Amsterdam called De Kas. It is an organic restaurant and grows its own produce locally. The restaurant offers only 2 menus per day - a meat / fish menu and a vegetarian menu. Jaap had arranged the evening a few weeks earlier and we had decided that a vegetarian menu fit perfectly with the theme of the day as it takes significantly less natural resources to support a vegetarian diet as opposed to a carniverous diet. The meal was fantastic. We even had local Dutch wine to complement the local flavour! Overall it has been a very successful day, and I am very much looking forward to tomorrow.
To continue the theme of sustainability, we visited a restaurant this evening in Amsterdam called De Kas. It is an organic restaurant and grows its own produce locally. The restaurant offers only 2 menus per day - a meat / fish menu and a vegetarian menu. Jaap had arranged the evening a few weeks earlier and we had decided that a vegetarian menu fit perfectly with the theme of the day as it takes significantly less natural resources to support a vegetarian diet as opposed to a carniverous diet. The meal was fantastic. We even had local Dutch wine to complement the local flavour! Overall it has been a very successful day, and I am very much looking forward to tomorrow.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sympathy vote
Lots of things have happened today that are worthy of note. The photographer for the North East Journal came to the offices to take some photos. So, I got dressed up in jacket, trousers, boots and rucksack for the occasion. I even borrowed some walking poles so that I really looked the part. He got some great shots of me in different poses. It's a shame there wasn't snow on the ground, but the grounds of our site are quite nice in parts, so the pictures will be good.
This afternoon, I flew over to The Netherlands for the start of our 2 day conference to kick off my project on sustainability. When I arrived in the hotel with my colleagues from the UK, our colleague from China, Jason Cheng, was already in reception about to go for dinner. So, we quickly checked in so that we could all go to dinner together. Then, as we were half way through our main courses, Guillem Torner from Spain came into the restaurant to join us. It made me realise what an incredibly diverse project team we have got. That can only benefit this project as sustainability is a global issue and together we can look at the issue of sustainability not just from a western perspective, but from the perspective of different nations and cultures.
The other thing that happened today was that I woke up with a streaming cold. Not what I wanted when I have to host a 2 day meeting. I have to say that I'm notoriously pathetic when I'm ill, so any sympathy that you'd like to send my way would be gratefully received!! The real downside though, is that it's unlikely now that I'll get much excercise done between now and departure, so I just hope that the hours I've already spent at the gym, and walking up mountains, will be sufficient. But, it's better that I got this now, than in 2 weeks time when I'm heading off to Argentina!
This afternoon, I flew over to The Netherlands for the start of our 2 day conference to kick off my project on sustainability. When I arrived in the hotel with my colleagues from the UK, our colleague from China, Jason Cheng, was already in reception about to go for dinner. So, we quickly checked in so that we could all go to dinner together. Then, as we were half way through our main courses, Guillem Torner from Spain came into the restaurant to join us. It made me realise what an incredibly diverse project team we have got. That can only benefit this project as sustainability is a global issue and together we can look at the issue of sustainability not just from a western perspective, but from the perspective of different nations and cultures.
The other thing that happened today was that I woke up with a streaming cold. Not what I wanted when I have to host a 2 day meeting. I have to say that I'm notoriously pathetic when I'm ill, so any sympathy that you'd like to send my way would be gratefully received!! The real downside though, is that it's unlikely now that I'll get much excercise done between now and departure, so I just hope that the hours I've already spent at the gym, and walking up mountains, will be sufficient. But, it's better that I got this now, than in 2 weeks time when I'm heading off to Argentina!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Photo shoot
For me this is when the countdown really starts. It is 2 weeks tomorrow until I set off and the next 2 weeks I know will just fly by as there is just so much to do between now and then.
Tomorrow I am meeting with a photographer from the local press who will take some photos to accompany the article that will appear in a local Newcastle paper. I've had to gather some of my "expedition gear" to take in to work tomorrow, as the photographer wants me to look like I'm just about to head off into the great white wilderness.
Then tomorrow afternoon I head over to Sassenheim for the start of the 2 day meeting which kicks off my project. I'm really looking forward to meeting the project team, and making a start on the project. I had a message this week from one of the other expedition participants, Frank Bakkeren, saying that he will be in the offices in Sassenheim next week and will pop into our meeting to say hello. I hope he does as it would be good to see him. Also, one of the consultants from the Akzo Nobel Sustainable Development department, who will be presenting at our meeting is also going on the expedition, so it will be like a mini reunion.
But before I can do any of that, I have to make another visit to the dentist chair tomorrow morning. Hopefully it won't be quite as traumatic this time, as I am just having the stitches taken out and a check to make sure the treatment has worked. Well, fingers crossed!!
Tomorrow I am meeting with a photographer from the local press who will take some photos to accompany the article that will appear in a local Newcastle paper. I've had to gather some of my "expedition gear" to take in to work tomorrow, as the photographer wants me to look like I'm just about to head off into the great white wilderness.
Then tomorrow afternoon I head over to Sassenheim for the start of the 2 day meeting which kicks off my project. I'm really looking forward to meeting the project team, and making a start on the project. I had a message this week from one of the other expedition participants, Frank Bakkeren, saying that he will be in the offices in Sassenheim next week and will pop into our meeting to say hello. I hope he does as it would be good to see him. Also, one of the consultants from the Akzo Nobel Sustainable Development department, who will be presenting at our meeting is also going on the expedition, so it will be like a mini reunion.
But before I can do any of that, I have to make another visit to the dentist chair tomorrow morning. Hopefully it won't be quite as traumatic this time, as I am just having the stitches taken out and a check to make sure the treatment has worked. Well, fingers crossed!!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
This is going to be a short one....
.....it's late and I've only just got in after a night out. I've been out with some friends who I've not seen properly in quite a while, so it was good to catch up with them. We talked about my impending trip to Antarctica which just heightened my excitement about the expedition even more! The whole thing seems to catch everyone's imagination. It's also remarkable that in most people's minds, Antarctica is inextricably linked to questions on the environment. The more I talk about it, the more privileged I feel that I will experience the continent first hand.
Well, 16 sleeps to go, and I'm about to fall into one of them!
Well, 16 sleeps to go, and I'm about to fall into one of them!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Robert Swan on YouTube
Today I decided to have a day off work and try to relax a little bit. The past few weeks have been really hectic, sorting things out for the expedition and work, in particular the travelling. And it's not going to stop any time soon! The week before I go to Antarctica I'm travelling to China for 4 days, then 10 days after I get back from Antarctica I'll be jetting off to New Zealand on holiday, and won't get back until the beginning of May. So, I'm trying to organise the next 2 months of my life before I go to China. That gives me about a week, and considering the diversity of the things I'll be doing, it is no easy task!!!
So, I thought a day at home to get a bit more organised would be just the thing. This morning I spent most of the time sat in bed surfing the net, to see what else I could find out about my destination. And I came across a couple of film clips from the Robert Swan Organisation. These are definitely worth a watch and will take you no more than about 10 or 15 minutes. The URLs are:
(you might have to copy and paste them if they don't link you directly). They really show how passionate Robert Swan is about the environment, and especially the Antarctic environment.
This afternoon I was back to running around like a mad woman trying to get things organised! I did manage to achieve a couple of things though. I picked up another parcel from the Post Office, and found a pair of waterproof trousers inside - something else to cross off my list. Plus, on the list of kit that we need to take with us are ski goggles and wrap around sunglasses. And I've managed to find a pair of sunglasses that convert into something akin to ski goggles - 2 for 1!! Result!!
So, I thought a day at home to get a bit more organised would be just the thing. This morning I spent most of the time sat in bed surfing the net, to see what else I could find out about my destination. And I came across a couple of film clips from the Robert Swan Organisation. These are definitely worth a watch and will take you no more than about 10 or 15 minutes. The URLs are:
(you might have to copy and paste them if they don't link you directly). They really show how passionate Robert Swan is about the environment, and especially the Antarctic environment.
This afternoon I was back to running around like a mad woman trying to get things organised! I did manage to achieve a couple of things though. I picked up another parcel from the Post Office, and found a pair of waterproof trousers inside - something else to cross off my list. Plus, on the list of kit that we need to take with us are ski goggles and wrap around sunglasses. And I've managed to find a pair of sunglasses that convert into something akin to ski goggles - 2 for 1!! Result!!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Counting sleeps....zzzzzz
One of the things that we do in our family when we're looking forward to something is to count how many sleeps it is until whatever it is happens. And, as I've just been reminded by my cousin, I should be counting the sleeps until I go to Antarctica. So, just for you Clare, it's 18 sleeps until I board the plane to Argentina!
The strangest thing has started to happen. As my departure draws nearer, I'm bumping into people who I won't see again before I go. And saying goodbye feels like I'm going away for a really long time. In some respects I think I am. I'm going on a journey like I've never experienced before, and it's going to be tough. And I expect it's going to change me. The physical challenges are going to be hard enough, but I expect the mental and emotional challenges will be even harder. I've been trying to imagine what it's going to be like but I have nothing to compare it with. We will have the challenges you would associate with any kind of personal development, but add to that the cold, the rough seas, the physical exertion and it takes it to a different level. The nearest I can come up with is studying for my professional exams at the same time as doing the Coast to Coast walk!! I wouldn't want to repeat either, let alone both together!
Well, I'm off to have one of those 18 sleeps, and to move me one day nearer to this adventure!
The strangest thing has started to happen. As my departure draws nearer, I'm bumping into people who I won't see again before I go. And saying goodbye feels like I'm going away for a really long time. In some respects I think I am. I'm going on a journey like I've never experienced before, and it's going to be tough. And I expect it's going to change me. The physical challenges are going to be hard enough, but I expect the mental and emotional challenges will be even harder. I've been trying to imagine what it's going to be like but I have nothing to compare it with. We will have the challenges you would associate with any kind of personal development, but add to that the cold, the rough seas, the physical exertion and it takes it to a different level. The nearest I can come up with is studying for my professional exams at the same time as doing the Coast to Coast walk!! I wouldn't want to repeat either, let alone both together!
Well, I'm off to have one of those 18 sleeps, and to move me one day nearer to this adventure!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
"See you in Buenos Aires"
Today has been really good. I managed to speak with Chris Knox, the journalist who I’ve kept missing for the past couple of days. It was great to talk about the expedition to
Tomorrow, another participant, Delando Hawthorne, will be visiting
Less than 3 weeks to go and counting! Hope you’ve all had a go at whacking penguins! Don’t forget to register your score then I can see how many of you are addicted!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Stepping out of the comfort zone
As part of the selection process for the Leadership on the Edge program, I was required to come up with a project proposal that could be implemented within our Business Unit. Now that the arrangements for the expedition are coming together, I can start to concentrate on working on my project.
Over the past few weeks I have been putting together a project team. All our Sub Business Units across the globe have nominated a team member, so we really do have a multinational representation on the project. The project team come from different work backgrounds and different cultures, so we have a wide spread of expertise. Because of the cultural differences in the team members, we will also be able to get an insight into what the sustainability issues are in different parts of the world. Next week I will be hosting a two day conference in Sassenheim, The Netherlands where we will all meet together for the first time. I have arranged consultants from our Sustainable Development department in Sweden to give us some more information on sustainability and the related tools, such as eco efficiency analysis, carbon footprinting and carbon offsetting. We also have another consultancy involved, who will give us an insight into how sustainability is managed within other large multinational companies. The outcome of the two days will be that we have a basis upon which to start developing training material for our Business Unit.
It's great to be involved in something that's totally different to what I normally do on a day to day basis. I feel as though I am a little out of my comfort zone so it is quite challenging - but I'm enjoying every minute of it!!
Over the past few weeks I have been putting together a project team. All our Sub Business Units across the globe have nominated a team member, so we really do have a multinational representation on the project. The project team come from different work backgrounds and different cultures, so we have a wide spread of expertise. Because of the cultural differences in the team members, we will also be able to get an insight into what the sustainability issues are in different parts of the world. Next week I will be hosting a two day conference in Sassenheim, The Netherlands where we will all meet together for the first time. I have arranged consultants from our Sustainable Development department in Sweden to give us some more information on sustainability and the related tools, such as eco efficiency analysis, carbon footprinting and carbon offsetting. We also have another consultancy involved, who will give us an insight into how sustainability is managed within other large multinational companies. The outcome of the two days will be that we have a basis upon which to start developing training material for our Business Unit.
It's great to be involved in something that's totally different to what I normally do on a day to day basis. I feel as though I am a little out of my comfort zone so it is quite challenging - but I'm enjoying every minute of it!!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Penguins, postcards and publicity
A new game has been launched on the Akzo Nobel Mission Antarctica website (www.missionantarctica.com). Just click on the "game" link on the website and it'll take you to "the penguin whacks back". But beware, it's just a bit addictive!!
Today, when I've not been working, or whacking penguins, I've been trying to sort out some publicity for the expedition. We've kind of got internal company publicity sorted - the expedition features in our bi monthly People News, quarterly Interpon News, annual Review magazine, and we are also doing a weekly "Postcards from the Edge" feature, which will run for the next 6 weeks. But up until now, I haven't managed to arrange any external publicity. But, I think that's about to change. During a meeting with our Communications Department this morning, I mentioned that it would be good to have something in the local press, and national press if that was possible. This afternoon I got back to my office and there was a message on my desk - a journalist from the local newspaper had called to find out some more about my expedition. I thought I'd be quite nervous about speaking to the press, but actually I'm quite looking forward to it, and being able to tell a wider audience about what it is that we are doing, and more importantly, the reasons why.
Apart from that, today has been about sorting out some of the little things that need doing - sorting out insurance, buying blister plasters (just in case - you never know) and getting some advice on sea sickness medication.
Every day, I manage to tick something off my list. And every day brings me a little bit closer to Antarctica!
Today, when I've not been working, or whacking penguins, I've been trying to sort out some publicity for the expedition. We've kind of got internal company publicity sorted - the expedition features in our bi monthly People News, quarterly Interpon News, annual Review magazine, and we are also doing a weekly "Postcards from the Edge" feature, which will run for the next 6 weeks. But up until now, I haven't managed to arrange any external publicity. But, I think that's about to change. During a meeting with our Communications Department this morning, I mentioned that it would be good to have something in the local press, and national press if that was possible. This afternoon I got back to my office and there was a message on my desk - a journalist from the local newspaper had called to find out some more about my expedition. I thought I'd be quite nervous about speaking to the press, but actually I'm quite looking forward to it, and being able to tell a wider audience about what it is that we are doing, and more importantly, the reasons why.
Apart from that, today has been about sorting out some of the little things that need doing - sorting out insurance, buying blister plasters (just in case - you never know) and getting some advice on sea sickness medication.
Every day, I manage to tick something off my list. And every day brings me a little bit closer to Antarctica!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Boots
A couple of weeks ago I bought a new pair of boots. My old ones have never been particularly comfortable, and I reckon they're the reason why I trip up so much when I'm out walking. So I decided that to stop all the tripping, I would buy some new ones. But new boots means just one thing..... they need breaking in. For the past few weeks I've been planning on going out into the hills, but when you set the alarm for 6.30 am on a Sunday, there's always something more pressing that needs your attention. Eg. sleep. It's now only 3 weeks away from setting off, and the weekends available for breaking the new boots in are becoming less and less. Today I realised that if I wasn't able to do a big mountain walk then I should do something locally. So I set off this afternoon to get a few miles in the boots. And they were great! Only a tiny little blister on one of my toes, and I bet we did about 7 miles. I'm not sure if the last mile really counts though. On the way back we decided to call into the local pub for a pint. That pint turned into 3, and we also had dinner whilst we were there, so the final mile was somewhat delayed. And a little warmer and easier than the first 6!!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Shiver me timbers
Today feels like Christmas!! I was woken up this morning by a knock at the door, and when I answered, there was a delivery man laden with a number of parcels! Happy days! So, I've spent most of the day unpacking and trying out all the new gear for size! I'm glad to finally have some things, as it's only just over 3 weeks until I set off for Buenos Aires. I can start ticking off items from my list of "things to buy before I go to Antarctica". My lounge now looks like an outdoor equipment shop. Plus, as I am not the tidiest of people, there is also some resemblence to an explosion in a packaging factory! Which means I've had to add something to the list of "things to do before I go to Antarctica".
One of the other items on the kit list was fancy dress costumes. Apparently at the end of the expedition, we will be having a fancy dress party on board the MV Ushuaia. This morning I received an email saying that the theme for the party is "Pirates of the Antarctic". It made my eyes light up! For someone who observes International Talk Like A Pirate Day (19 September for the uninitiated) this is quite exciting! Avast...... I'm off to find a parrot!
One of the other items on the kit list was fancy dress costumes. Apparently at the end of the expedition, we will be having a fancy dress party on board the MV Ushuaia. This morning I received an email saying that the theme for the party is "Pirates of the Antarctic". It made my eyes light up! For someone who observes International Talk Like A Pirate Day (19 September for the uninitiated) this is quite exciting! Avast...... I'm off to find a parrot!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Dental torture
Today I have mostly been feeling sorry for myself! On my list of things to do before I go to Antarctica was dealing with a tooth that has been intermittently giving me problems for the past couple of years. I've had a variety of treatments for it already, but all to no avail. So, at my last visit to the dentist I was told that unless I wanted to carry on having trouble with it, I had two options - have some of the root removed, or have the tooth extracted. Given that I'd put up with it for quite a while now, I was in two minds, especially as there is a whole list of unpleasant things I would rather do than voluntarily sit in the dentists chair. But, then the thought occurred to me - what happens if it flares up when I'm 2 days over rough sea away from a South American dentist. My overactive imagination sees me being held down by 2 people whilst a third comes at me with a pair of pliers to remove the offending item from my mouth which would be held open by a fourth!! So that was it, decision made - I would have the treatment. I'm not going to go into detail about what the dentist did, but lets just say I feel like I've been through a couple of rounds with Mike Tyson, and have 2 stitches in my gum as evidence. Let's just hope the procedure has worked!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wishful thinking?
So now I am pretty sure how I'm going to keep warm on this expedition, my attention has turned to some of the other items on the kit list. Some of it is just what you would expect to take on an expedition to Antarctica - waterproofs, walking poles, ski goggles.... But 2 of the items really have me at a loss - swimsuit and talc. I can't imagine that I will be doing any swimming whilst I am out there, so the only thing I can think we would need a swimsuit for is that there must be a sauna on board the ship. Or is that just wishful thinking?? And talc, well, answers on a postcard please!!
So, those 2 items aside, I think I'm doing ok with getting kit together. For most of it I've made use of that wonderful tool, the internet. Some of it I already have, and Akzo Nobel are providing us with 2 team jackets - one waterproof shell, and one warm parka. The remainder, I imagine I will pick up over the next couple of weeks, things like batteries for the camera, photo cards etc.
Well, that's the kit sorted, flights are booked, hotel reservations in Buenos Aires are made, so I guess I'm all set to go.
So, those 2 items aside, I think I'm doing ok with getting kit together. For most of it I've made use of that wonderful tool, the internet. Some of it I already have, and Akzo Nobel are providing us with 2 team jackets - one waterproof shell, and one warm parka. The remainder, I imagine I will pick up over the next couple of weeks, things like batteries for the camera, photo cards etc.
Well, that's the kit sorted, flights are booked, hotel reservations in Buenos Aires are made, so I guess I'm all set to go.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The magic of merino
I find myself constantly thinking about the cold. Sat here in my office with its central heating radiator and a little portable oil filled heater tucked neatly under my desk, and I shiver at the prospect of what awaits me when I travel South. So my efforts at the moment are very much centred around what to take with me. My first reaction would be to take the warmest of everything, and enough so that I could layer myself up into some kind of Antarctic Michelin Man. But something that Robert Swan said when I met him in January still rings in my ears. He said that you have to be careful not to get too warm, as then you start to sweat, the sweat will turn cold, which will make you cold. The only solution once this happens is to take everything wet off and put on some dry clothes. And I really don't fancy doing that at minus anything, let alone the -30 degrees Celsius that it could be down there!
So, you see my dilemma. As a person who feels the cold quite easily, it's my natural reaction to opt for the "you can never be too warm" route, but it appears that in Antarctica being too warm can cause as much of a problem as being too cold.
Anyway, I think I may have a solution - merino wool! I've been lead to believe by the marketing hype that it has some kind of magical properties that will keep me toasty warm, wick any moisture away from me (to where I'm not sure) and with the added bonus of it having anti bacterial properties, which to you and me means that I could wear it for a week and you'd still all be talking to me!!
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