'I'm always looking for the Hows and the Whys and the Whats,' said Muskrat, 'That is why I speak as I do. You've heard of Muskrat's Much-in-Little, of course?'
'No,' said the child. 'What is it?'
- The Mouse and his Child. Russell Hoban.

Go here to find out more.

Saturday 6 September 2008

Antarctica summer begins


Photo by Nicola Dunn, July dawn light, Scott Base (- camera shutter froze open!)

I keep an eye on a great blog written by those intrepid conservator people who spent the winter at Scott Base, Antarctica.

Aside from the vital everyday maintenance and servicing functions (and it's interesting enough to read about how these are performed in an inhospitable environment that got regularly down to  minus 40ºC last winter), this is a team of people who have been cleaning and restoring bits and pieces from Shackelton's hut.  
There are many great stories and great pictures, but one post talks about the 'festival' they have.  

"The festival revealed so much creative talent, bringing everyone together to relate many of the themes that identify life in an Antarctic winter: isolation, darkness, strange behaviour, expired food, bitter cold and a quirky sense of humour."

The blog is intriguing and the images taken by all members especially Anthony Powell the satellite engineer (his website here), are especially evocative.  Anthony is in the process of making a time-lapse full-length movie.  In the meantime, here is a short teaser.

Light has been gradually returning since the end of July.  And the sun rose for the first time on August the 20th.  Around now the batch of people will be picked up and will fly back to those various parts of the world they call home.

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