How do you spend your Christmas? While many will be curled up on the couch in front of a roaring fire (or at least a central burner), spare a thought for the hundreds of people working in the Antarctic, surrounded by penguins instead.
Thousands of miles from home, those employed by the Cambridge-based British Antarctic Survey (BAS) spend holidays at five research stations and aboard the Harwich-based ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough.
Some of them have been discussing their Christmas plans – telling us how they will spend the big day.
‘Penguins – and a cheap movie’
Derren Fox, 52, is a zoological assistant at Signy Island Research Station, which is located on one of the remote islands of South Orkney, about 370 miles (600km) from the Antarctic Peninsula.
Originally from Cornwall, he now “lives on a yacht almost anywhere”, he said.
“On Christmas Day I will head to the Gourlay Peninsula on the south-east coast of the island to do almost daily chinstrap and Adelie penguin colonies to monitor production,” he said.
“This will be followed by sledding or snow with other members of the station before returning to the Christmas dinner, this year prepared by the leader of our station, and then we sleep in the traditional way before Christmas. festive cheesy film.”
The Adelie penguin plays a major role in life in Antarctica [Getty Images]
‘Turkey and trimmings sorted’
The task of cooking a full Christmas dinner falls to Signy’s station leader, Sarah Clark.
The 42-year-old says she has traveled “all my life… but for the last six years I have lived in North Wales, near Beddgelert”.
He added: “Signy’s tradition is to have the station leader cook Christmas dinner, so that’s what I’ll be doing – but we’re a small team of five at the moment,” he said.
“We will have a nice meal while we read the e-mail greetings from all the other Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic stations.
“Then the others will go out to check out some penguins and ride the sleds, I’ll hold the fort, make sure everything is going well at the station and prepare the turkeys, the roasting nuts and the trimmings.
“After dinner we will spend the night enjoying some games together including Christmas darts.”
‘Good break’
Captain Will Whatley, RRS expert Sir David Attenborough says it is often possible for most to take a day off. [BAS]
Captain Will Whatley is the master of the RRS Sir David Attenborough, who is spending the season at sea.
The 35-year-old suspect is from Southampton.
“Christmas is in the middle of the working season in Antarctica so it’s a busy time with work,” he said.
“Usually we may take a day off, although some people will still have to work to keep the ship safe and sound.
For many, Christmas on board provides a welcome break from the busy Antarctic season and a time to reflect on the contrast between home life and time spent with our ‘work family’ in Antarctica.
“With today’s communication it is always possible to have a video chat with family and friends at home which is very different from years ago.”
‘Watching the Iceberg’
Dr Nisha Mistry, chief medical officer at Sir David Attenborough, will be spending her first Christmas at sea. [BAS]
Dr Nisha Mistry is the ship’s medical officer.
The 32-year-old, from Bradford, said: “It will be my first time at sea so I’m not sure how the day will go – but I’ll be doing my usual hospital check-up in the morning.
“Then eventually I hope to do what I love – go outside and look at the mountains.”
‘Sprouts with Bacon’
Nick Greenwood, the ship’s chief steward will be helping to prepare the great food [BAS]
Aaron Harper is head chef to Sir David Attenborough.
“This Christmas I will be working,” said the chef from Harwich, Essex.
“We’re going to feed 56 people and we’re doing turkey with all the trimmings.
“A great way to cook Brussels sprouts is with cured bacon, lots of salt and cracked black pepper,” he shares.
Assisting him will be Nick Greenwood, the ship’s chief executive officer.
The 53-year-old from Grimsby said: “On Christmas Day I will be working to help prepare Christmas dinner.
“When I finish work, I’ll have dinner and then go back to my house to watch a Christmas movie.”
‘hunting for fossils’
Rowan Whittle will be spending his Christmas in a tent, and looking for bones [Sam Hunt]
Rowan Whittle, 45, is a paleontologist who lives in Cambridge.
However, this year, he is one of the small group left behind by BAS who will be spending Christmas in a tent.
“We are being distributed to King George Island a few days before Christmas,” he said.
“Our team of three, Saurav Dutta, geologist, Andy Moles, field director and myself, will spend four weeks hunting for fossils, trying to understand how Antarctic marine life evolved.
“Since our trip is limited in time, we will have to work on Christmas Day if the weather permits. We will either be completing the construction of the camp or doing the first survey of the study area.
“Hopefully we can finish early on Christmas Day so we can cook something delicious for our field rations.”
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