Antarctic reflections
Time has taken on a different dimension, partly because there's no night. The light fades between midnight and 2am, but it is still daylight, as the sun never dips below the horizon.
And the long days in between have been full of brightness and blue skies.
It isn't always like this in Antarctica. In fact, my experience has rarely been like this in Antarctica. For, on this particular trip, albeit at my favourite time of year, in the first week of December. The snow is white and the penguins clean, before eggs are laid and chicks hatch.
But I have a problem. For I am about to list some of the things that have happened in the last two and a half days, and you might think that is normal for Antarctica. But there is no real normal. There is certainly no predictability. So, what you read here is what has happened to me, and my companions, in the last day, but probably won't happen on the next voyage, and may never happen on any other voyage. (But, given the nature of unpredictability, it just might).
I have a very nice solo cabin with a single bed and lots of space. It is one of 12 on the Lindblad National Geographic Resolution and beautifully designed — both elegant and practical. Being on the Antarctic Peninsula, I have books on James Cook, Ernest Shackleton and Robert Scott's journeys here, but also the log of the Swedish expedition which preceded Shackleton (and had a similar experience of being trapped in the ice) and Roald Amundsen, the first to the South Pole, who carefully calculated when to kill and feed each dog to the others. 'On December 19 we killed the first dog on the homeward trip,' he wrote. 'This was Lasse, my favourite dog. He had worn himself out completely and was no longer worth anything. He was divided into fifteen portions, as nearly equal as possible, and given to his companions.'
This has not been the case on the Resolution. Each meal has been nothing short of superb — from freshly cooked breakfast fare to an a la carte menu each evening. But yesterday was pretty special. The ship had been literally driven into the lip of an ice sheet and parked overnight, and we had stepped down a gangway and onto the whiteness to stroll in the morning, which was followed by a barbecue lunch on deck, with an art gallery of desserts and doughnuts to follow. But the food fare became even more memorable in the evening with a Chef's Table experience on the Cook's Nook. At the centre of this is a long table on Deck 8, which has full glass windows and big views all round. It sat all 19 of us, who have travelled here from Perth as companions. Seven tasting courses will follow — each an exquisite artwork, and with a food-philosophy point to make. For this is a zero waste meal — a workshop and showcase on how to use food. We are told that it has been calculated there is 1.6 billion tonnes of food waste a year and the ship's hotel director, Laura Fuentes, explains: 'Zero waste is one of the pillars of our program. We have a passion to think about this global issue.' Cauliflower will never be the same, as one small course (called The World's Most Versatile Vegetable) comprises it being served nine ways — cauliflower scallop, tempura, smoked cauliflower with apple and cherry wood, burnt shallots and cauliflower puree, saffron espuma and pickled cauliflower.
But, even when we've finished dining, the night is bright and still young, and the ship is being steered through the Gullet — a narrow passage between Hansen Island and the Antarctic Peninsula which is rarely navigated. The ship, with its 360-degree Azipod electric propulsion at the rear and two bow thrusters (sort-of sideways propellers) can spin on a sixpence. And it does, when an emperor penguin is spotted and we are taken back for a closer look. We are way south of the Antarctic Circle among icebergs like buildings made of meringue melted with a blowtorch.
I overhear another passenger: 'I don't know what day it is, and I don't care.' I do know what day it is, as I am here writing, working over the ship's fast Starlink satellite wi-fi — but I don't really care either. Time has taken on a different dimension, melding into an odyssey.
There is a practical side to what I do (of course) — as I need to advise, recommend and discourage. That's partly why you come here, to these stories — for information. But there is also the chance to inspire, as I am inspired at this moment.
But it is about to change. I am in world of white and blue, which will change to monochrome tomorrow, as the sky clouds over.
I think I like it better when the land and seascapes are composed of every grey.
For, to have today's bleached-white snow and vivid blue is a simple, brochure-like presentation of this complicated, delicate and dangerous place.
To have the subtlety of monochrome is dramatic, subtle, cautioning and involving. It seems to demand more engagement and interpretation from me. For I am here, colourfully dressed in my orange Lindblad jacket, out of place, and knowing that — a respectful visitor, learning the lessons of remoteness and the dangers of cold and disturbing the delicate balance of this place.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
27 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Abandoned baby found in holdall in car park traces parents on ITV Long Lost Family
ITV Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace will focus on the 'Baby in Pink' Sarah Meyers, its youngest ever searcher. Sarah Meyer will be remembered by many as the 'baby in Pink'. The 24-year-old was abandoned by her mother when she was a newborn baby and hit the headlines after being found in a holdall sitting in a multi-story carpark when she was just an hour old, wrapped up in pink towel and a white shawl. Sarah is now the youngest person to search for a relative on ITV Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace. Dubbed 'Baby in Pink' by the press at the time, Sarah's discovery was a huge national news story and led to a nationwide search for the mother of the tot. Sarah even appeared on This Morning with a police sergeant, as cops went to desperate measures to locate her family. Then host of the ITV show, Judy Finnegan, told viewers at the time: 'This little sprog was abandoned in a multi-story carpark. She was barely an hour old, weighing just 7lbs.' However all efforts led to dead ends despite many public appeals and Sarah's birth mum didn't come forward. She was adopted at the age of three months old by mum and dad Jo and Pierre, who already had another adopted daughter, Jess. Viewers of the Long Lost Family spin off will see the emotional journey everyone ends up on when Sarah attempts to find out the truth behind her birth story. The programme, hosted by Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell, attempts to help foundlings, which means people who were abandoned by their birth family as babies, sometimes in unusual places including a phone box, a cardboard box or church steps. The upcoming instalment will reveal that Sarah's umbilical cord had been cut when she was found, but not clamped, meaning it could have been a home birth. Baby Sarah was then sent to hospital where she was under the care of a host of nurses who took her under their wing. Sarah says: 'On the news, I was the Baby in Pink because I was in the pink towel wrapped in the blanket. 'I was named Caroline after the nurse who looked after me and Pembrooke after my car park. It's like a little secret identity of mine. Now my middle name is Caroline." Sarah, who still owns the town and holdall she was found in, opens up about her close relationship with her own family and says that she and sister Jess were always told they were adopted, as writes the Mirror. She went on: 'I want my birth parents to know that they shouldn't feel any remorse because I've had a wonderful life. But I'd like an explanation because it is something that is missing, to know where I come from. Why was I abandoned?' Sarah goes back to the car park she was found in as part of the episode and is left wondering who would leave a baby in such a busy area. She said: 'I was an evening baby and 30 minutes to an hour old. So I was literally fresh out of the womb.' She also gets a letter from a police evidence box, which was sent to investigating officers 10 days after she was discovered in the car park. The letter gives no clues, and is typed and unstamped. It reads: 'Please look after my little girl. I love her so much, but just can't cope with another baby. Thank you to all the police officers involved, hospital staff, and the members of the public for their help. Thank you.' As part of the episode, Sarah is reintroduced to Police Sergeant Wendy Whiting, the first on the scene when she was found and someone who stayed with her case for the duration of its development. Wendy reveals when the baby was found, the person who discovered her thought she'd found a bomb at first. Wendy says: 'I remember the radio message coming out and thinking, 'Did I just hear that right?' An abandoned baby, no clothes on, we were concerned.' The ITV research team are helped by Sarah's young age and are able to access documents quickly compared to more historical investigations. They soon establish who her birth parents are and find out that her mum was in her late teens when Sarah was born, and already had a child. However, Sarah's birth mum is not as easy to track down, and doesn't respond to an approach by researchers. Sarah, who now lives in Northern Ireland with her partner Shannon and has a cybersecurity degree, says: 'It's good to hear that she's at least alive and is out there. It leaves the door open for her to come and meet me if she wants to. I'll never close that door. I respect that it's such a big thing for her. I understand that she might not be ready. I want her to see that I've lived a good life and that I'm not angry with her.' There is good news also as Sarah's birth father, who has a partner and a daughter, reveals he never knew of her existence but is keen to get to know her. He stays anonymous to protect the birth mum's identity but is overcome with emotion as he says: 'It's very upsetting to know that my daughter was just left there in that situation. Anything could have happened to her.' Sarah's birth dad then wonders if his late mum would have seen her baby granddaughter and not known, as she'd worked at the hospital unit where Sarah was taken to. As Long Lost Family fans are accustomed to, there's then an emotional reunion and exchanging of photos as Sarah meets her father and they note their similar physical attributes, and common interests. He says: 'My daughters can get to know each other and we can all be a family together.' Sarah adds: 'I've been waiting a long time, I just didn't think it would be possible. He was as I imagined and more, beyond what I expected. I can't wait to get to know him more. The past is in the past and the adventure is only beginning.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
South Wales Guardian
27 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Carlos Alcaraz regains his Queen's crown after beating Jiri Lehecka in final
The Spanish top seed replicated his debut triumph on the grass courts of west London in 2023 with a 7-5 6-7 (5) 6-2 victory. It was an 18th-straight match win for Alcaraz – in his fifth consecutive final – following his title successes in Rome and at the French Open. VAMOS KING CARLOS!! 🏆❤️🔥 The incredible @carlosalcaraz wins the #HSBCChampionships title @QueensTennis | @atptour — LTA (@the_LTA) June 22, 2025 World number 30 Lehecka had knocked out home hope Jack Draper on Saturday to become the first Czech finalist since Ivan Lendl won the title in 1990. The 23-year-old played his part in a high-quality final with some huge serves and powerful groundstrokes, forcing the match to a decider via a tie-break. But Alcaraz, the defending Wimbledon champion, did not face a single break point and slammed down 18 aces on his way to a 21st career title, proving he will be the man to beat at SW19 again with a stylish win in two hours and eight minutes. 'It's really special, this trophy and this tournament. I'm happy to lift this trophy once again,' he said. 'Jiri, you had an incredible week and it's a nightmare to play against you. Great week, great job and keep it up for Wimbledon. 'It has been an incredible week. I came without expectations and just wanted to play good tennis and to get used to the grass.' Alcaraz got a first look at a break point at 2-2, but he barely saw the 138mph ace that snuffed it out. At 4-5 the 22-year-old was in a spot of bother, serving at 0-30, but with a quick squeeze of the accelerator he reeled off eight of the next 10 points to hold and then grab the crucial break. Alcaraz had dropped just 10 points on serve before the second-set tie-break but he suddenly dropped his guard, with an untimely double fault and a pair of Lehecka aces taking the match the distance. But Lehecka dipped in the third with Alcaraz breaking for 3-1, and before long a flashing forehand brought up two championship points, the world number two taking the first and roaring with delight at a second Queen's title.
Rhyl Journal
28 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
How to prevent and report Japanese knotweed amid fly-tipping
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste on public or private land – and its on the rise across the UK with more than one million incidents reported over the last two years. Now, experts are warning of another element that could add to the issue blighting areas. Fly-tipping often involves rubble, soil and plant cuttings which is then dumped and left to rot. If Japanese Knotweed is either fly-tipped or unknowingly part of dumped soil within the waste – then there's a problem. 'Fly-tipping and Japanese knotweed is a big problem in the UK,' reports. 'Because it leads to the spread of this invasive species. 'If plant material is present in the fly-tipped waste, it can quickly establish itself in the new location, creating a new infestation. 'Japanese knotweed is an extremely resilient plant. Furthermore, it can grow in a wide range of soil types and conditions. 'It spreads by producing new shoots from its wide root system, which can extend up to 7m from the main stem. 'This means that if Japanese knotweed is brought to a new area, it can quickly colonize the entire site, out-competing native vegetation and causing some environmental damage.' The fly-tipping of Japanese knotweed can also occur when commercial site owners are unwilling to pay for the treatment of knotweed on their land. By excavating and fly tipping the contaminated area, they promote the spread of knotweed root fragments and rhizomes which regrow after lying dormant for 20 years. Just last month, the invasive plant was said to be in "super growth" across the UK due to the dry and warmer conditions. Craig Godbehere, a site supervisor and certified surveyor in Japanese Knotweed at Thomson Environmental Consultants, said: 'Japanese knotweed has now become widespread in a range of habitats, particularly roadsides, riverbanks and derelict land, where it can cause serious problems by displacing native flora and with the potential to cause structural damage. 'It spreads rapidly in the wild by natural means or as a result of human activity.' Japanese knotweed, which was introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant in the nineteenth century, can only be removed with costly specialist treatment. It requires a multi-pronged approach, often involving herbicides and potentially excavation, depending on the extent of the infestation. Professional advice and support is required. Recommended reading: Japanese knotweed in 'super growth' across UK expert warns Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? What a fine could be What to do if you see Himalayan balsam? Advice for gardeners If you suspect the act of fly-tipping of Japanese knotweed you should contact the Environmental Agency by email (enquiries@ or via their 24-hour freephone number (0800 80 70 60). It is a criminal offence to fly tip any material containing Japanese knotweed, and doing so is punishable with up to two years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
