2022: Blog | Food, glorious food!
14/02/2022
One of the tasks I have been working on in the museum is to inspect for dust and mould; this has involved opening cupboards to check inside. Visitors are often to be found in the kitchen intrigued by the food items the men had to cook with during Operation Tabarin. The pantry, somewhat hidden in the main corridor is also fascinating and I found myself drawn particularly to the log book where the items and rations were very neatly recorded.
Although it does not feel like we are on rations we do need to keep track of what we have for the time we are here, especially this season as we are pretty much self-sufficient without the generous donations of fresh produce from ships visiting almost daily in a regular season. Do we eat all the good stuff straight away or do we spread it out? Food is always an important aspect of life on base, and major milestones and anniversaries celebrated with special dinners.
Pictured: The log book from the pantry at Bransfield House, dating back to Operation Tabarin (left) and an old tin of potato powder (right)
Despite our reliance on tinned and dried food we have been eating really well although we may have been eyeing up some of the slightly different tins in the museum, for example, brisket beef, pork sausages and green cabbage. However, some things never change. The previous inhabitants of Base A got their potato fix from mashed potato powder, and so do we!
As we are only three taking it in turns to cook, your day in the kitchen comes around again pretty quickly but we have all made special efforts to supplement main meals. Tank has made pasties and a pie; Kit a carrot cake and bread; and I have done scones and fruit crumbles. We do worry we may leave here slightly heavier than when we arrived!
Lucy Dorman, Base Leader 2021 - 2022
Many historic expeditions and explorers, including the men of Operation Tabarin (a top secret mission to Antarctica during World War II) have followed this same route to Antarctica. Whilst I set sail on a modern ship, the 14 men of Operation Tabarin left Stanley on 2 small ships, one of which was not ice strengthened. Not only did they have the dangers of a polar expedition in front of them, but also the potential threat of enemy forces during WWII.
This film captures the 134ft HMS William Scorseby at sea in Feb 1944 (Reproduced courtesy of BAS Archives, Ref AD6/16/1944/1.1).We, like our polar ancestors, are now heading South through the furious 50°'s and eventually to the screaming 60°’s, where the winds batter the Southern Ocean, with terrifying intensity. I cannot begin to imagine what it would have been on The Scorseby, with the men of Operation Tabarin in such weather. I am hoping to experience some of the beauty and wonder of Antarctica's wildlife on my journey there. With perhaps a small bit of Antarctic adventure thrown in. Although perhaps I should be careful what I wish for!
