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In memory of Sarah Auffret…

… killed in the Ethiopian Air crash, excerpts from an interview she gave about her two seasons at Port Lockroy, Britain’s most southerly post office. Auffret was – like so many people on that flight – an adventurer, an environmentalist, and a moralist.

As the sun never sets, days are long, but always enjoyable. The team wakes up around 7 a.m. – my morning alarm was the sound of penguins calling and snowy sheathbills knocking at the window. A typical day during high season very much revolves around ship visits – there would be two a day and sometimes a sailing yacht at lunch time. One or more of us would go on board the vessel first thing for a pre-landing briefing and perhaps breakfast – fans of bacon and eggs were always keen to get on board for this!

… Living conditions are pretty basic – there is no running water, only one gas heater in the team’s living quarters, and you may get one shower a week on a visiting ship if you’re lucky. You also need to be able to live with just a small number of people, yet also be very sociable, as you meet about 300 people a day.


When I left, I really missed the light and the tranquility of the island, and the absence of phones and internet. On base you can be connected to what is actually around you without the constant distraction of the online world.

Margaret Soltan, March 11, 2019 11:37AM
Posted in: heroines

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2 Responses to “In memory of Sarah Auffret…”

  1. Seelye Martin Says:

    Dear Margaret,
    Sad to hear about death of Sarah Auffret, very sad. Note however, that South Pole is the most southerly post office.
    with best regards,
    Seelye

  2. Margaret Soltan Says:

    Seelye: Whoops. Should have said Britain’s most southerly post office… I’ll fix it. Thanks.

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