The Mind Creative FEB 2014
Scott and his officers celebrating his birthday, dominates the space
in the centre and seems to symbolise the union of the brave
scientists and adventurers. Ponting’s photography laboratory is
located at the far end. He produced some of the finest photos ever
to emerge from Antarctica and printed them on glass plates.
The galley is still well stocked with Edwardian provisions ranging
from Colman’s mustard to pickled cabbage, (to ward off scurvy)
to soy sauce, to cans of cooked beef. There were many New
Zealand dairy products such as cheeses and butter, which are still
in perfect condition.
The rafters above store the spare sledges, and the bunks are
stacked with personal belongings and skins galore for warmth. A
penguin is laid out on table, waiting now eternally for dissection.
The whole building is very neat and it appears as if the cleaning
lady has just departed from a day’s work.
As I come out of the main area,
I turn right into an annex where
snow shovels are arranged as
sentry guards. The oily reek of
seal blubber is evident and the
more pleasant smell of horses
emanates from the stables.
With our eyes closed, we can
even smell the hay, the oil in the
hanging coats, and the leather
of the saddles and bridles.
Today, in the Ross Sea, we
know we are amongst the
privileged few. Less people
have visited the huts of Scott
and Shackleton in the
Antarctic, than have climbed
Mount Everest.
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