After a mammoth four flights, in planes that got smaller and smaller, our last being a 12 seater prop, we have made it to Resolute Bay! Our journey took us from London to Ottowa, then onto Iqaluit, from here to Nanismk and then to Canada most northerly town, Resolute Bay.
Charlie Paton and I arrived last night to a pleasant -47, whilst the Ice Team, Pen Hadow, Martin Hartley and Ann Daniels have stayed on in Ottowa, along with Ian Wesley (kit boy) and Tarka. They are staying down a few extra days for some scheduled press conferences and have collared Tarks as their french speaking translator.
We will spend the next week here in Resolute sorting and preparing kit, going through weather reading and prediction, working with the pilots to understand exactly what they require from the runways we must build and maintain and finally repeat training exercises such as falling through the sea ice and polar bear safety.
The Inuit town of Resolute is little more than the size of a hamlet back home in the UK, maybe a small village at a push, with a population of approximately 230 people, the facilities of a school, small supermarket, hotel and its lifeline - the airport!
We are still waiting for the freight to arrive, so for now I am furiously working away at eating all Randy (the cook) can throw at me…his chocolate brownies are amazing!!
February 13th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Thinking of you both, hope you have fun and stay safe, can’t wait to hear of all your adventures. I don’t know how you can do the ‘falling through sea ice’ training again, I would have thought once was enough!
Lots of love
fi (and Ollie!)
February 14th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Glad you made it there safe -47 and only polar bears to worry about its -19 here half term hols Paris week its got to be as dangerous. Keep warm
Les
February 14th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Tarka, since you are translating I thought you be interested in how to say “please do not eat me” in Inuit. Trouble is I cant find out how to say this but I did find Nau taima sinitavik? means Where is the hotel? Also a game to play with Katie to pass the time
Nuglutang: several players hold pointed darts (ivory or bone) and try to catch a piece of pierced ivory suspended on a sinew string. This game helps to develop hunting skills
February 15th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Cracking! it has finally warmed up here today, the sun is peeking through and the snow has now all gone – still yesterday I could see it up on the hills from my office here at home. Resolute Bay sounds lovely……..(although a little chilly)
M
February 20th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Q: What did one Snowman say to the other Snowman ?
A: Can you smell carrots