Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

e made. There could be no guarantee of success and there could be last
minute cancellations if fishery protection work (for example) necessitated it.
However, the Admiral assured me that they were anxious to do all they could
to assist BAS!
Second. The frigates would carry helicopters and might be available to
help BAS. Again there was no certainty and the most they could say was that
there should be up to three months advance notice of opportunity. Costs,
flying costs and indemnity would apply. There might be an opportunity once
every four months.
Third. Costs and indemnity would in future apply also to Endurance
support for BAS.
I said that I would be taking this up with MOD, London, since I assumed they
were acting under orders. They agreed.
I had a talk with Myriam. My lecture to the Forces was to be postponed until my
next visit. Then I returned to the ship. Eric Salmon, Paul Whiteman and the others
had arrived, plus mail. I had a nice long letter from Maureen and several problem
letters from BAS. I went ashore again on the 7.30 pm boat, and Myriam was waiting
to drive me to GH for dinner. This was in honour of Crispin Tickell, who I learnt was
to be Ambassador to the UN, from April. He was very friendly and we had some
good talk, sitting one on each side of Joyce Jewkes. He had recently been in Ethiopia.
Other guests included Sylvia Jay (Head South America Department, FCO), David
Taylor, Ian Stewart and wife Hulda, John Cheek and wife, Lewis Clifton, Tony Blake
(New Zealander farming in FI, member of LEGCO) and Joe Marsh (Manager,
Standard Charter Bank). It was a pleasant evening and Gordon Jewkes said a few
words and gave a toast to mark my coming retirement. I got a lift back to the jetty for
the 11 o’clock launch.
8 January saw some new faces at breakfast, including David Walton and Group
Captain David Matthews (RAF Dentist). We planned a small dinner party for that
evening. It was raining, dull, deteriorating weather and I stayed aboard and worked
on papers all day. The Jewkes, Crispin Tickell and Sylvia Jay came on board by
launch for dinner. We held it in Stuart's cabin and Nelson made up the party. It was
a very pleasant social occasion and I think they enjoyed it. Later I went ashore with
Jewkes' party to attend a reception for Crispin at the Upland Goose Hotel. There was
quite a crowd there, but it was thinning out when I left at 10 o’clock. I met quite a
few people I knew, incidentally, including Ian and Maria Strange. The wind had
fortunately dropped, so the launch trip presented no problems.
Next day I worked in the morning on chapter 9 of the seal book, which had come
in with the arrivals. I completed the editing and because the aircraft has been
delayed Al Smith would be able to take it to Cambridge with him. Bransfield's
departure was postponed so that David Walton could see the Governor. I took a
walk and then telephoned home and spoke to Andrew and Maureen - all was well. I
also walked as far as the Battle Memorial. David Walton didn't manage to see the
Governor and we sailed at 5 o’clock. Next day I saw a minke whale pass under the
bow, heading almost due south on course 178°. I had a long talk with Eric Salmon
and later there was a good general after dinner discussion. (Noon position: 54°54'S,
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