‘And ice, mast-high, came floating by...’

15/03/2010

 I write this, not from my Suffolk home but sitting at my desk on board ship -the Regent Mariner – and we are currently approaching what is often described as the world’s southernmost city.  At 55 degrees south, Ushuaia in Argentina makes this claim although, for many years, the Chilean town of Puerto Williams has disputed this.

 

The battle between Argentina and Chile continues but we sail on bound for the Antarctic.

 

For many years now I have lectured on board ship and this year was fortunate enough to be invited to circumnavigate the whole of South America including a visit to the Antarctic. This will be one of the last times a ship of this kind enters Antarctic waters as from 2012 heavy oil burning ships are to be banned and, to my mind, that is a sensible move.

 

Just before coming down to my cabin to write to you I watched as the Staff Captain took a small boat out to the base of a huge glacier to collect a large lump of glacial ice.  Such ice, being tightly compressed melts more slowly than ordinary ice and weighs heavier.

 

No doubt it will appear in special ‘Antarctic drinks’ due to be served before lunch.  The cruise director, a well-travelled man from the Lake District told me that 20 years ago when he first visited this part of the world the glaciers were considerably larger than they are now.  It does seem as though global warming is having an effect and I support any constructive move to preserve some of the truly wild and beautiful parts of the world.

 

The other day in port I watched as a vast fishing vessel unloaded ton after ton of tuna fish.  They were unloading early in the morning and were still at it when we departed in the late afternoon.  I have to confess it made me feel uncomfortable as my thoughts went immediately to the problems of over fishing and the affect this is having on our oceans.  Only the other day I read that some critics have been attacking the World Wildlife Fund for getting some facts wrong about global warming.  Well, as we are human mistakes are made from time to time; but on the whole I fully support the endeavours of the WWF and others who are attempting to encourage sensible environmental protection.  Travelling the world as I do I have far too often seen the ravages caused by ruthless greed.  It is not pleasant.  Cruise ships, such as the one I am on, are obliged to be extra careful and that can only be a good thing.

 

As this is a long cruise it is hardly surprising that it is full of older people who now have the time and the resources to spend several weeks away from home. The main body of passengers is from North America but there are a fair number from the British Isles. I have made friends with a Canadian of 90 years of age who is travelling alone and thoroughly enjoying himself. It convinces me that, as we get older, it’s our attitude to life that counts.  Even if one is wheelchair bound its no barrier to getting out and seeing the world providing one has the will.

 

After lunch today I am off for a trip on what is described as the most southerly railway journey in the world on a line that was formerly used to transport prisoners to what must have been one of the most unpleasant prisons on this planet. Next month I expect to be back in rural Suffolk so I’ll sign off until then!