Part I: Seals teeth and whales ears - Scott Polar Research Institute ...

anchiae, and a large encrusting sponge with red inhalant openings of halfinch
diameter. In addition there were the usual algal masses of Enteromorpha
and many other unusual algae, barnacles, limpets, small fish etc. A very full,
colourful and varied fauna. Oh for a couple of collecting jars!
At the west end of the bay before Yorke Bay, between Yorke Point and the
Tussock Islands, there was a large flock of steamer-ducks roosting on the beach
and amongst them we saw through binoculars, first one, then two or three
PENGUINS! As we approached cautiously we made out one gentoo and three
Magellans. The ducks were very nervous and waddled into the sea, but the
penguins allowed us to get very close before the Magellans (called ‘jackass’ on
the islands) moved towards the water and then the gentoo made a move almost
too late. We made a rush to cut it off from the sea, but it lay on its breast and
using wings and feet for propulsion tobogganed into the sea just before we
could reach it. Once in the sea all three sped away in the clear green water -
porpoising at great speed.
As it was getting late and David and Bill had to get back for ‘cockers’, we
left the shore and cut back overland to Canopus Hill. And thence to the Mons
Star Inn where we had very refreshing beers and told the proprietor to expect
Dickie Dawes and ourselves on a fishing trip next day. Incidentally before
reaching the Mons Star, David and I had a bathe in Surf Bay in a very cold
wind. It was as David said like bathing in neat cold whisky (not that I had tried
this!) - very invigorating. Bill watched the small waders in the beach rock pools
while we were dressing and took one or two photos. We pressed on along the
road from the Mons Star and with the aid of a short lorry lift seated on its load
of peat, we reached the ship at about 6.0 o’clock, giving the others time to
change into their suits. I went along to the Red Cross for supper with Derek, to
be joined by David later. Then into the Club for our daily G & T's, later David
and I walked up to the top of the hill and talked for hours in the dark sitting on
a five-barred gate.
On 29 January we spent the early part of the morning tidying up for HE's
(the Governor's) inspection. The ‘John Biscoe’ moved out into mid-harbour and
we were unable to get ashore except by courtesy of the launches from HMS
‘Snipe’ or HMS ‘Gold Ranger’ (a naval supply tanker from Bermuda). Derek and
I went ashore at 1.30 pm, loaded with films and developing equipment. The
‘John Biscoe’ was oiling alongside ‘Gold Ranger’, only 20 yards from the jetty
which made the manœuvering of the launch from ‘Snipe’ even more fraught
than it might have been. We bought printing paper, chemicals etc at the
Falkland Islands Company Store and at the Orchid Store. Later Derek went
along to the Matthew's for his bath while I made my way in Gordon Howkin's
(Chief Meterologist's) car to Government House. I had an appointment with HE
at 3.30 pm when he told me formally that I would be Base leader at H. We had a
chat.
Then on to the Matthews, where Derek and I were asked to tea, but
declined because we were due to go to the Hallet's home – where we hoped to
use their darkroom. Mrs Hallet, holding a blue-eyed baby called Christine, gave
us tea and cakes and then we retired to the darkroom. As we meant to develop
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