5 months on - has the impact lasted?

The simple answer is yes!

Antarctica was more than a holiday, more than a trip, even more than an expedition.  It was a profound,  deeply soulful experience. 

5 months on I am still talking about it, still thinking about what more I can do to help protect it, helping others see it as a vital part of our planet's health rather than a remote, irrelevant to our lives place.

When I came back I looked at all the household products I use and whether they contained microplastics. Gosh, how many of them have plastics so hidden it's hard to uncover. The big multinationals are bulking out products & lining their pockets whilst destroying our planet without people even noticing. I've changed all the products I use from laundry, to cleaning, to washing up liquid, to shampoo etc to companies that are environmentally friendly, natural ingredients that contain no microplastics. Seeing first hand how microplastics are at the very start of the food chain it means they are in all aquatic species and in humans. Whilst I cannot change the big multinationals,  I can choose to change what I do. If everyone did that, then the multinationals would have to change.

I've stayed in touch with some lovely people I met aboard and we recently had a reunion. We met at the Scott Polar Institute in Cambridge to talk all things Antarctic! It was the perfect meeting point and a wonderful weekend catching up. Also time to chat about the possibilities of another adventure together 😀

I also wanted a vivid memory to keep my connection alive, so I commissioned an artist to capture the abstract essence of Antarctica in paint from some photos i shared. The most stunning, unique piece was created for me containing the crisp shades of blue seen deep within the ice alongside hints of penguin and orca. What Kathy created is truly stunning and really does capture the essence so we'll. This is now hanging on my stairwell alongside photo collages & certificates, so that every time I go up or down my stairs I am emotionally transported back.

She had a bit of leftover paint, so created some mini paintings which we named Echoes of Antarctica and I took them as gifts for my Antarctic friends, it was fair to say they loved them & were a little emotional.

Now to see whether future retirement plans could include another expedition at a different point in the season to see more whales & seals. Or, could I volunteer and work at point lockroy perhaps 🤔 One way or another I feel I will return.  Until then I will keep talking, keep my msTeams background on and keep making choices that help Antarctica stay protected.