Mouse eats leopard seal! The continuing saga of Sir Ranulph Sprightly's epic Antarctic adventure...

Sir Ranulph Sprightly has been exploring the areas surrounding McMurdo station on Antarctica and reporting back with fascinating facts and some spectacular photo's. Here's what he had to say...

'Trevor, or Hocho as he's also known around these parts, has been kind enough to show me around before I strike out for the South Pole itself.
I've also been doing additional research and I've learned that McMurdo is populated by about a thousand people. A few scientists, and whole squadron loads of support staff. In fact they outnumber the scientists about 10 to 1 here.
I'll turn you over to Trevor now, who can explain what I've been up to lately...'

'Sprightly also ventured out to Hut Point on the edge of Ross Island.
This is where Scott built one of the first structures in Antarctica (1902). Scott's Hut served as a research facility, food depot and warm-up shelter. The building still stands today; the exterior has been refurbished a bit.
The cross was put up in honor of one of the crew members who died on a Scott expedition. That's me (Hocho) in the photo with black hat & jacket.

The decayed seal carcass is left from Scott's era: considered "historical" and will likely be there another 100 years! The carcass sits just outside Scott's Hut.'

'Thanks Trevor!
Of course what Trevor doesn't know is that to sustain me on my journey to the Pole I tore off a few strips of seal jerkey, after a little taster just to make sure it still made for good eating!

I can tell you for a fact, if my extended family did live around these parts there'd be no seal banquets like this sitting about for long.
Mmmm. Yummy!

I don't know why Trevor neglected to mention this, but Scott's team left another reminder of their famous expedition...
They decided to take advantage of the natural building materials and were actually attempting a world record attempt on the largest snowman ever made.

They abandoned the attempts after only completing the bottom section which you can see up the hill behind me, since they couldn't imagine how they would ever raise the head up on top.
Well, that's enough from me for now, if all goes to plan I strike out for the pole in a matter of days!'
Earlier Antarctic posts...
Sprightly leaves for Antarctica
Sprightly arrives in Antarctica


My website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
My Etsy store, CritterVille

Record breaking Sir Ranulph Sprightly Mouse arrives in Antarctica!

According to the How Stuff Works website...

'Nearly 40% of mammal species are rodents, and they are found on every continent except Antarctica.'

Now I can add 'UNTIL NOW!'

Yes, that's right, in one small step for a rodent, but one giant leap for rodent-kind, Sir Ranulph Sprightly Mouse has set foot on Antarctica as part of his epic journey to be the only rodent ever to reach the South Pole!
He's already the only rodent ever to reach Antarctica (as far as I know), so that means he's a record breaker!

It's summer there now, so it won't get dark for months.
That doesn't mean the people that work there can run around in shorts and t-shirts to work on their tans.

There are numerous 'stations' on the continent of Antarctica, although I have no clue what people do there. Perhaps I should find out for a future post.

Here's a map to show where exactly Sprightly is (McMurdo).
Click on the map to visit the website I swiped it from.

Here's Sir Ranulph reporting on his saga...

'I was greeted by a splendid fellow by the name of Trevor. He's been very hospitable. Here I am heading in for my long awaited nice cup of tea since it has been quite a while since I left my home.'


'I forgot to bring any money, so I have to hunt for nibbles to go with my tea.
It's a bountiful place to find food, after all there's literally no competition!'

'I'll set off later for the South Pole itself!'

Stay tuned...

Other Antarctic posts...
Sprightly leaves for Antarctica
Sprightly explores and eats a leopard seal


My website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
My Etsy store, CritterVille