I've just finished reading the book "Erebus: the Story of a Ship" by Michael Palin, about two ambitious scientific Royal Navy expeditions undertaken by HMS Erebus and HMS Terror in the latter half of the 19th century. I love stories of pioneers and heroes, discovery and exploration, they absolutely fascinate me.
The first voyage was the Clark Ross Expedition of 1839-1843, to Antarctica, in which the two ships went further south than anyone had before, explored what has since been named the Ross Sea, and discovered the Ross Ice Shelf. At the time they named the latter the Great Southern Barrier, as it prevented them reaching their goal of the South Magentic Pole. Captain James Clark Ross was the first person to locate the North Magnetic Pole and planted the British flag there in 1831, and wanted to do the same at its southern counterpart. That aside, what they achieved - the feats of sailing and endurance, and scientific discoveries - was incredible. It was also the last major expedition voyage made entirely under sail.
(Side note: the Magnetic Poles are distinct from, but located near to, the Geographic Poles. The former are the locations where Earth's magnetic field points vertically downwards / upwards, and because the magnetic field is constantly ever so slightly shifting, the Magnetic Poles are not fixed.)
The second voyage was in 1845, led by Sir John Franklin, and aimed to traverse the last un-navigated section of the Northwest Passage in the Arctic. It became known as Franklin's Lost Expedition, because both ships and all 129 men were lost. Many search expeditions were sent out over the following decade and gradually, through relics, notes, and Inuit stories, a rough picture of what had happened was pieced together.
The two ships had become trapped in ice in September 1846. Sir John Franklin died in June 1847 and by April 1848 nine officers and 15 crewmen had died. The remaining men decided to abandon the ships and left on April 25th, leaving a note on nearby King William Island giving these facts and saying they planned to start walking south towards a particular river on the Canadian mainland, which they could follow down to a Hudson's Bay Company fur trading outpost. It was an enormous distance, though, many hundreds of miles, and none made it even to the mouth of the river. Everyone gradually died along the way. I can't even begin to imagine how horrifying that would have been... The ships themselves weren't found until just a few years ago: Erebus in 2014 and Terror in 2016.
... I know I've basically given the story away, haha, but if you're interested in that sort of history then I do recommend reading the book, obviously it gives a lot more detail.
As I said, I love things like this. I need to find more, stories and biographies and autobiographies of explorers both past and living - Cook, Shackleton, Scott, Amundsen, Ranulph Fiennes, female explorers. I don't know of many except those famous ones, so if anyone has any recommendations let me know! Anyway, they're ever so interesting, but also very humbling. We in the developed Western world are very comfortable by comparison and can have no idea whatsoever what life would have been like in times past and the spirit that drove people. The explorers who discovered and explored America, Australia and Antarctica. The early settlers of America and Australia. Seafarers relying on wind and sail and the stars. Explorers trekking through unchartered wilderness, at the mercy of the elements and the unknown. People willingly (usually, anyway) went off to places not knowing if they would even make it to their destination, let alone when or if they would next see their home. They dealt with conditions and circumstances we cannot imagine... and, honestly, that many of us would not be able to handle. Indeed, many people across the world still do have a very harsh reality. It helps put things into perspective.
In the end, Roald Amundsen was the first person to complete both tasks that the crews of Erebus and Terror set out to do: finding the South Pole, and fully traversing the Northwest Passage. But he had enormous respect and admiration for the men of these two British expeditions, summing it up nicely in 1912:
"Few people of the present day are capable of rightly appreciating this heroic deed, this brilliant proof of human courage and energy. With two ponderous craft - regular "tubs" according to our ideas - these men sailed right into the heart of the pack [ice], which all previous explorers had regarded as certain death ... These men were heroes - heroes in the highest sense of the word."
June 21, 2019
June 12, 2019
25km charity hike, 8th June 2019
Waking up at 5:30am on a Saturday isn't the nicest thing, but to get to Poole for 7:20am that's what we had to do! I say "we" - my mum and stepdad very kindly gave me a lift down there. As many of you know, I'd signed up to take part in the Jurassic Coast Challenge, a 100km hike from Poole to Bridport. I did the First Quarter Challenge, 24km / 15 miles from Poole to Corfe Castle. Thousands of people took part, doing different distances and for different charities; I did mine for Mind, and as a personal challenge for myself.
There were several hundred people milling around the start point at Whitecliff Recreation Ground. I went to the big white marquee to register, pick up my lanyard and event pass with its timing chip, pin my bib number to my backpack, and sat down to eat one of the several snacks I'd brought with me while waiting. The start times were staggered between 6:30 and 10am, and mine was 8:20am. At 8:00 they called the 8:20 starts to the ribboned-off area, where we had a briefing and a warm-up before heading off!
The route was marked clearly with bright pink arrows, so we didn't need to carry a map and figure it out ourselves, and there were distance markers every so often. The first 5km was on paved footpaths along the roads around the harbour down to the Sandbanks ferry. It was quite slow-going, there not really being much room to overtake and go at my own pace, so it took about an hour. The next stretch after the ferry was along the whole 5km of Studland Bay's beaches, which took just under another hour, with good views of Old Harry Rocks. Coming inland at the end of the beach we passed a little area of beautiful wildflowers by the clifftop war memorial and, a little further on, some pretty cottages in amongst the green fields surrounding a village. It was here we started to move uphill onto the ridgeway, where obviously there were amazing views over the land stretching out for miles and miles below.
We were only up on the ridge for a little while before heading back down the other side - steep at times - to Swanage, where at the 15km mark at Days Park we got a break at the first official rest point and the "mid-point" for the Quarter Challenge. There were loos, a marquee with medical supplies and snacks (I got a yummy buttery pain au raisin and a Rice Krispies Marshmallow Squares which I haven't had for years!), loads of chairs inside and out, and space to sit down on the grass. I spent about half an hour there and had some of my snacks before continuing.
Now it was back up onto the ridgeway for the final 9km leg to Corfe Castle. Thankfully it hadn't rained at all and it was largely sunny and warm, but it was pretty windy which helpfully stopped me from overheating. The path along the top of the ridgeway was pretty flat and easy-going and there were lots of members of the public out for a weekend stroll or dog walk. I didn't interact with anyone during the whole hike from start to finish, except one member of the public who struck up a brief conversation about the challenge and wished me luck, both of us almost shouting to be heard above the wind; I wasn't bothered about talking to anyone, but that was nice, and he continued forward along the line of walkers chatting to some. I spotted a pretty little farm down in the valley with local grey-stone buildings and a big field of lush long vibrant green grass waving in the wind =]
It wasn't long before Corfe Castle came into view, and about an hour after leaving Days Park we started heading downwards off the ridge towards the village. My timing chip was scanned at 1:39pm as I crossed the finish line! :D
My finish line at 24km was Norden Farm, behind the National Trust car park at Corfe Castle. Event staff were waiting to greet every single person with energetic cheers and congratulations and scan their timing chip. Of course this was just a rest stop for those doing the Half or Full Challenge, but those of us finishing here got a Finisher's medal and t-shirt, and a glass of prosecco which I declined. They provided lunch in the marquee and I took my tuna sandwich and apple and remaining snacks out to sit on the grass on the far side of the field where it was a bit quieter, did some stretches, and waited for my mum and stepdad to arrive on the steam train from Swanage.
So! I enjoyed it =] It took me four and a half hours, not including the waiting time for the Sandbanks ferry and the half-hour break, and my step count at the end of the day was around 32,000. It was a very good way to spend a Saturday morning, hiking through the beautiful Purbeck countryside. My mind was pretty blank through the whole walk, I wasn't really thinking about anything, which was good, but nor was I really being mindful and fully in the present, either. It's odd, I find the latter a bit more difficult when wearing sunglasses, which sucks.
Needless to say I was exhausted! Even though it was only mid-afternoon it felt like we'd already had a full day out (which I guess we had), so we drove straight back to Southampton. I had an early night, slept very well, and spent all of Sunday relaxing on the sofa, haha. Amazingly my muscles didn't hurt!
I don't think I'll go on to do the Half Challenge next year; this was fine, but I feel 58km would be too much, I don't think I'd enjoy it. I might consider doing the 34km of the Second Quarter though, from Corfe to Weymouth via Lulworth and Durdle Door, a much hillier route that would certainly require me to do some actual training! Or, the Second Half from Weymouth to Bridport is 42km and apparently isn't anywhere near as hilly. Ooh, things to think about! :) Anyway. I've added visiting Purbeck to my "Things to do at a weekend" list; it'd be really easy to get the train to Poole, then the steam train to Corfe or Swanage.
I've currently raised £560 for Mind, which is amazing. (There's still a few weeks left to donate at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laura-morrell if you haven't and would like to.) It's such a great cause that means a lot to me personally, so thank you very much to everyone who contributed, it will help a lot of people :) To give you a better idea, and wrap up this post, here are some examples:
There were several hundred people milling around the start point at Whitecliff Recreation Ground. I went to the big white marquee to register, pick up my lanyard and event pass with its timing chip, pin my bib number to my backpack, and sat down to eat one of the several snacks I'd brought with me while waiting. The start times were staggered between 6:30 and 10am, and mine was 8:20am. At 8:00 they called the 8:20 starts to the ribboned-off area, where we had a briefing and a warm-up before heading off!
The route was marked clearly with bright pink arrows, so we didn't need to carry a map and figure it out ourselves, and there were distance markers every so often. The first 5km was on paved footpaths along the roads around the harbour down to the Sandbanks ferry. It was quite slow-going, there not really being much room to overtake and go at my own pace, so it took about an hour. The next stretch after the ferry was along the whole 5km of Studland Bay's beaches, which took just under another hour, with good views of Old Harry Rocks. Coming inland at the end of the beach we passed a little area of beautiful wildflowers by the clifftop war memorial and, a little further on, some pretty cottages in amongst the green fields surrounding a village. It was here we started to move uphill onto the ridgeway, where obviously there were amazing views over the land stretching out for miles and miles below.
We were only up on the ridge for a little while before heading back down the other side - steep at times - to Swanage, where at the 15km mark at Days Park we got a break at the first official rest point and the "mid-point" for the Quarter Challenge. There were loos, a marquee with medical supplies and snacks (I got a yummy buttery pain au raisin and a Rice Krispies Marshmallow Squares which I haven't had for years!), loads of chairs inside and out, and space to sit down on the grass. I spent about half an hour there and had some of my snacks before continuing.
Now it was back up onto the ridgeway for the final 9km leg to Corfe Castle. Thankfully it hadn't rained at all and it was largely sunny and warm, but it was pretty windy which helpfully stopped me from overheating. The path along the top of the ridgeway was pretty flat and easy-going and there were lots of members of the public out for a weekend stroll or dog walk. I didn't interact with anyone during the whole hike from start to finish, except one member of the public who struck up a brief conversation about the challenge and wished me luck, both of us almost shouting to be heard above the wind; I wasn't bothered about talking to anyone, but that was nice, and he continued forward along the line of walkers chatting to some. I spotted a pretty little farm down in the valley with local grey-stone buildings and a big field of lush long vibrant green grass waving in the wind =]
It wasn't long before Corfe Castle came into view, and about an hour after leaving Days Park we started heading downwards off the ridge towards the village. My timing chip was scanned at 1:39pm as I crossed the finish line! :D
My finish line at 24km was Norden Farm, behind the National Trust car park at Corfe Castle. Event staff were waiting to greet every single person with energetic cheers and congratulations and scan their timing chip. Of course this was just a rest stop for those doing the Half or Full Challenge, but those of us finishing here got a Finisher's medal and t-shirt, and a glass of prosecco which I declined. They provided lunch in the marquee and I took my tuna sandwich and apple and remaining snacks out to sit on the grass on the far side of the field where it was a bit quieter, did some stretches, and waited for my mum and stepdad to arrive on the steam train from Swanage.
So! I enjoyed it =] It took me four and a half hours, not including the waiting time for the Sandbanks ferry and the half-hour break, and my step count at the end of the day was around 32,000. It was a very good way to spend a Saturday morning, hiking through the beautiful Purbeck countryside. My mind was pretty blank through the whole walk, I wasn't really thinking about anything, which was good, but nor was I really being mindful and fully in the present, either. It's odd, I find the latter a bit more difficult when wearing sunglasses, which sucks.
Needless to say I was exhausted! Even though it was only mid-afternoon it felt like we'd already had a full day out (which I guess we had), so we drove straight back to Southampton. I had an early night, slept very well, and spent all of Sunday relaxing on the sofa, haha. Amazingly my muscles didn't hurt!
I don't think I'll go on to do the Half Challenge next year; this was fine, but I feel 58km would be too much, I don't think I'd enjoy it. I might consider doing the 34km of the Second Quarter though, from Corfe to Weymouth via Lulworth and Durdle Door, a much hillier route that would certainly require me to do some actual training! Or, the Second Half from Weymouth to Bridport is 42km and apparently isn't anywhere near as hilly. Ooh, things to think about! :) Anyway. I've added visiting Purbeck to my "Things to do at a weekend" list; it'd be really easy to get the train to Poole, then the steam train to Corfe or Swanage.
I've currently raised £560 for Mind, which is amazing. (There's still a few weeks left to donate at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laura-morrell if you haven't and would like to.) It's such a great cause that means a lot to me personally, so thank you very much to everyone who contributed, it will help a lot of people :) To give you a better idea, and wrap up this post, here are some examples:
- £8 means a call to Mind's Infoline can be answered, providing someone with vital support and information about help in their area. So £560 would answer 70 calls.
- £21 means that Mind's online peer support community, Elefriends, can run for an hour. £560 would pay for just over 26 hours.
- £50 can help Mind campaign for better mental health services from the government.
June 06, 2019
Recipe: Crispy peanut butter baked tofu
For dinner the other night I made crispy baked peanut butter tofu to go with a stir fry. So I thought I'd post the recipe! I got the quantities from one I found on the Minimalist Baker website.
For four portions, you'll need:
If you're familiar with cooking with tofu and know that you'd like more than a quarter-block as part of your meal, feel free to scale up. The above could equally serve as two larger portions.
Basically you can make this two ways. I've done both, but it was a couple of months between making each one so I can't remember which I prefer, haha. You can either marinade the uncooked tofu in the peanut butter mixture, then bake it; or you can bake the plain tofu then saute it in the sticky sauce. Try it both ways and see which you prefer!
I've just thought of an Option 3, which is a mixture of both: you could marinade the tofu cubes in soy sauce (or a mix of soy sauce and peanut butter) overnight (well, during the day), then bake, then saute them in the peanut butter sauce. I'll have to try doing that...
There isn't a picture, I'm afraid, as I thought of doing this post after I'd made it. Anyway, if you give this a go, hope you enjoy, and maybe let me know how you get on! :)
For four portions, you'll need:
- 1 block of firm tofu, cut into small cubes
- 2.5 tbsp (40g) peanut butter (crunchy or smooth, your preference)
- 1.5 tbsp oil (sesame oil if you have it, but I just used sunflower oil because that's what I have; olive oil probably wouldn't taste quite right)
- 4 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free soy sauce)
- 4 tbsp light brown sugar or honey
If you're familiar with cooking with tofu and know that you'd like more than a quarter-block as part of your meal, feel free to scale up. The above could equally serve as two larger portions.
Basically you can make this two ways. I've done both, but it was a couple of months between making each one so I can't remember which I prefer, haha. You can either marinade the uncooked tofu in the peanut butter mixture, then bake it; or you can bake the plain tofu then saute it in the sticky sauce. Try it both ways and see which you prefer!
Preheat oven to 200C, and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Option 1 - Bake first:
- Pour the cubes of tofu onto the lined baking tray, and bake in the pre-heated oven for about 25 minutes, or until it looks firm and crispy.
- Mix together the peanut butter, oil, soy sauce and sugar/honey.
- Pour the baked tofu and the sauce into a wok or other pan over a low-medium heat, and mix together for a few minutes (like, 3-5) until the sauce is warmed through.
- Serve with stir fry stuff! Veg, noodles or rice, etc.
Option 2 - Marinade first:
- Mix together the peanut butter, oil, soy sauce and sugar/honey, in a bowl.
- Add the tofu cubes and mix well till it's all coated. Leave to marinade for as long as you can (anything from 10 minutes to an hour to several hours, entirely up to you).
- Pour onto a lined baking tray and spread out a little so the cubes aren't clumped together.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until at a level of crispiness you're happy with!
- Serve with stir fry stuff =]
I've just thought of an Option 3, which is a mixture of both: you could marinade the tofu cubes in soy sauce (or a mix of soy sauce and peanut butter) overnight (well, during the day), then bake, then saute them in the peanut butter sauce. I'll have to try doing that...
There isn't a picture, I'm afraid, as I thought of doing this post after I'd made it. Anyway, if you give this a go, hope you enjoy, and maybe let me know how you get on! :)
June 04, 2019
Six illustrations (not mine) that show what it's like in an introvert's head
Side note: So, I'm going to start posting more often! Usually I write rather long posts, which take many hours to create and edit - I'm an overthinker and perfectionist - but I'm going to start making little, quick, random, short posts whenever I have something to say. Those sorts of posts would perhaps be better suited to a platform like Facebook, which I'll share them on as well, but I'd like to start practising just writing, just getting things out there and sharing my thoughts and experiences, no matter how small. If you'd like to make sure you never miss a post, please do subscribe using the box on the top right-hand side of the blog page - it should be obvious where - then you'll get an email notification after I've made a new entry :) Now, on with the first new short post!
My moment of mirth today came from an article, which I came across via a LinkedIn post - "6 illustrations that show what it's like in an introvert's head." It was the illustration for Number 4 that made me laugh. I am so the cat, haha! Anyway, have a quick look! It's only about a five-minute read, the illustrations are good, the points accurate, and it gives you a bit of insight into my head and those of other introverts. https://www.quietrev.com/6-illustrations-that-show-what-its-like-in-an-introverts-head/ It's rare that I laugh, so anything that means I spend a few minutes chuckling is great =]
This longer article about how introverts communicate is also interesting: https://www.bustle.com/p/7-differences-in-the-way-introverts-extroverts-communicate-60756
A more professional or seasoned writer would write their own version of those articles, but that's not what this is about this time =]
My moment of mirth today came from an article, which I came across via a LinkedIn post - "6 illustrations that show what it's like in an introvert's head." It was the illustration for Number 4 that made me laugh. I am so the cat, haha! Anyway, have a quick look! It's only about a five-minute read, the illustrations are good, the points accurate, and it gives you a bit of insight into my head and those of other introverts. https://www.quietrev.com/6-illustrations-that-show-what-its-like-in-an-introverts-head/ It's rare that I laugh, so anything that means I spend a few minutes chuckling is great =]
This longer article about how introverts communicate is also interesting: https://www.bustle.com/p/7-differences-in-the-way-introverts-extroverts-communicate-60756
A more professional or seasoned writer would write their own version of those articles, but that's not what this is about this time =]
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