This will hurt me...

Next stop, Antarctica! CSIRO Building, Battery Point. June 2012. Wordless Wednesday.

Inspired by the wealth of history contained with the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallary, Henry has decided that he wants to follow in the footsteps of the bloody idiots great Antarctic explorers of the early twentieth century. Consequently, I have fashioned him a sturdy yacht made out of an old bath, and will see him off next week. Godspeed, young man!

Have I mentioned that the Aurora Australis is very orange? Of course, I'm talking about the ship, not the colourful southern polar lights caused by the result of the emissions of photons in the Earth's upper atmosphere, they're all different kinds of colour.

L'Astrolabe has left for the time being, and I am missing her! It's even worse this Monday, as I have the office all to myself, so my weeping will not disturb others. It is indeed a cruel world!

It's still winter which means that we still have our guests parked down outside my work. Yes, the Norweigan-owned (but Australian-leased) Aurora Australis and our French friends on L'Astrolabe are still hanging about waiting for that pack ice to break up before they head back down south to throw rocks at penguins conduct important Antarctic studies. Time for the Sunday Top Five ! Today, I've opted for the not at all clumsy Top Five Countries That If They Were People I'd Invite To A Party : 1) India : they can bring the food. 2) Finland : they can bring the girls. 3) Jamaica : they can bring the groove. 4) The Czech Republic : they can bring the beer. 5) Western Samoa : they can man the door and keep out the undesirables (I'm looking at you Wales...)

I was very disturbed by the tale from Antarctica that came across my desk this morning. The headline from the BBC says it all really: 'Sex pest' seal attacks penguin This seal refused to comment on the Antarctic incident All that I can say is that I sincerely hope that counselling has been offered to all parties, and that this obviously sick and confused seal is brought to justice.

I snapped this picture yesterday afternoon on the journey from work into town to meet Jen and Henry. The ship that you can see here is the Aurora Australis , which spends most winters in port here in Hobart. This fine vessel belongs to the Australian Antarctic Division , which bases itself in Hobart for two primary reasons: i) because of our location as ‘last stop before Antarctica’ over summer; and ii) the quality of Tasmania’s beautiful women. P & O occasionally charter the ship for other ‘bits and pieces’ work during winter. It may or may not be true that the winter penguin-harvest that provides fresh penguin meat for the tremendously popular ‘penguin nuggets’ is shipped in by P & O in this period.