We left Antarctica at 15.50. This morning’s presentations on Dr. Thomas Bower’s research into the impact of tourism on Antarctica, and Dr. Lynn Wordsworth’s into the impact of shrinking populations on genetic variety were stimulating, if inconclusive, as most PhDs are! On the bridge, I have been consulting the Pilot’s Guide to bits of the Antarctic that describes the topography, approach, prevailing ice and weather conditions and handy tips for navigators. Also, the compendium of the origin of place names in Antarctica. The Lemaire channel is named after a Belgian explorer of the Congo, oddly. There is herein a coincidence, as I have just read ‘The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ by Alexander McCall Smith, a lecturer in medical ethics at Edinburgh University. It is set in Botswana, and half the ship, including the doctor, is reading it. I also read ‘The Poisonwood Bible’ by Barbara Kingsolver (what a name!) set in the Congo of the 60s, during the period that Beryl who worked at J. Kirk’s in Hackenthorpe with mum went off to be a missionary, like the family in the novel. I thought then that it was an impertinence, when they had a perfectly serviceable religion of their own. Obliquely, it raises the question that the infant mortality birth rate and harsh environment are related, and Western intervention to save children’s lives is detrimental to society and the economy. The Detective story is light, amusing and faintly philosophical. ‘Virgin Blue’ by Tracy Chevalier is a bit sluggish and not entirely credible. Currently on ‘The Piano Tuner’ by Daniel Mason, also being read by Wayne from Brisbane, whom I met at 3am as we were going to/from the loo. Who was most shocked? Him, if his expression was any indication!
This evening’s presentation was an amazing video made on a clipper sailing ship in 1920s by Captain Irving Johnson as it rounded Cape Horn. It is an astonishingly courageous piece of filming, which I must try to buy for Cap’n Bob at least. I have several other commissions – to find out why Balsamic vinegar is so called and some other stuff that escapes me at 11.30. Unusually, it is almost dark as it ends another curiously tiring day doing nothing much.