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Environment

My Penguin Necklace Story: From Antarctica to Jewellery with Elouise Makes

My husband is a wonderful man. Before our ‘trip of a lifetime’ to Antarctica, South Georgia Island, and the Falkland Islands — a journey three years in the making — he surprised me with a beautiful gold penguin necklace. It wasn’t just any necklace, but a piece from Elouise Makes, a jeweller who focuses on sustainability and traditional craftsmanship in every aspect of her jewellery making. With the penguin made from reclaimed and repurposed gold, I have been wearing it almost daily ever since!

Little did I know, this single gift would be the start of a very special relationship with the artist behind the brand, Rosie Deegan. Today, I want to share both my journey with Rosie and her incredible process, which is all about a slower, more sustainable way of creating.

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October 1, 2025
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Environment, Sustainable Travel

The Antarctic Code: How to Be a True Penguin Pal

My deep-seated love for penguins started years ago, and my trips to the Antarctic have only solidified my belief that we have a responsibility to protect these incredible creatures and their pristine home. It’s easy to book a trip with an “eco-friendly” tour operator, but being a responsible traveler goes much deeper. It’s about how you behave once you’re there.

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August 20, 2025
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Environment, Sustainable Travel

Penguins on the Edge – What the Latest Science Tells Us About Our Icy Friends (and What We Can Do!)

The planet’s magnificent, mysterious, and utterly vital blue heart is brimming with life, regulating climate, and providing immense beauty and wonder. Among its most iconic inhabitants, and top of my list, are penguins; creatures that symbolise the pristine wilderness of the polar regions and capture the imagination of many, not just me! A profound passion for the planet, its incredible wildlife, and particularly the spectacular island of South Georgia inspires my deep appreciation for these remarkable birds.

However, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of environmental challenges facing the planet, with news often painting a grim picture. Even these seemingly resilient creatures are now facing unprecedented threats.

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July 20, 2025
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Environment

The Perfect Storm: When History, Science, and Art Align

It’s a strange sensation, isn’t it? The buzz of anticipation of an event like the “Whale of a Weekend”  in Dundee. The flurry of last-minute details, even the inevitable microphone mishaps and unexpected presenter illnesses!, all culminating in an event where connections are made, stories are shared, and passions ignited. For me, the true magic of these gatherings lies in the opportunity to connect with people and, of course, to champion one of my absolute favourite causes: South Georgia Island and the vital work of the South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT).

This past weekend felt like a perfect storm in the best possible way. Every element converged, seemingly by design, creating a powerful synergy. The programme brought together scientists, artists, and historians alongside former whalers, and what struck me most was how seamlessly they all referenced and reinforced each other’s contributions. It felt like a magnificent culmination of the last two decades of SGHT’s dedication.

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July 4, 2025
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Environment

From Scotland to South Georgia: The Untold Stories That Reshape our History

The Whalers’ Memory Bank is launched

The Whalers’ Memory Bank Montage. Photo Credit: South Georgia Heritage Trust

Delving into a topic that, while perhaps a shade more serious than my usual musing, holds a profound resonance for anyone who cares about our shared history and the intricate tapestry of human experience. It’s about the extraordinary power of untold stories, and how they can profoundly shift our understanding of even the most challenging periods of our past.

We’re all heading for a “Whale of a Weekend” festival in Dundee – how brilliant is that name?! – and amidst all the excitement, the South Georgia Heritage Trust is unveiling something quite profound: The Whalers’ Memory Bank. This remarkable digital archive is a significant development, one that promises to illuminate a complex chapter in Scottish and global history and set to reveal the often-overlooked human narratives behind the whaling industry on South Georgia.

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June 24, 2025
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Environment

Finally! A Ray of Hope for Our Underwater Worlds – And Why David Attenborough Would Approve!

You know how passionate I am about our planet, and particularly the incredible, often-unseen wonders beneath the waves. So this is truly uplifting news from the UK, because it seems we might just be on the cusp of a massive win for our precious marine protected areas!

For what feels like eons, we’ve been hearing about “Marine Protected Areas” (MPAs), often with a cynical little voice in the back of our heads whispering, “Protected from what, exactly, if destructive fishing is still allowed?” It’s been a bit like putting a ‘No Parking’ sign up, but then letting double-decker buses drive straight through your prize-winning petunias, hasn’t it?

But now, the UK government has announced proposals to ban the devastating practice of bottom trawling in 41 offshore MPAs. Could this be the game-changer our UK oceans need?

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June 20, 2025
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Environment

Celebrate World Oceans Day: Book Your Place At the Upcoming ‘Whale of a Weekend’!

Can you believe it’s almost here again? This Sunday, June 8th, marks World Oceans Day 2025, and it’s a date I always have circled in my calendar. Why? Well, it’s a day to pause, reflect, and truly appreciate the magnificent, mysterious, and utterly vital blue heart of our planet. From the tiniest plankton to the grandest of the whales, our oceans are brimming with life, regulating our climate, and providing us with so much beauty and wonder.

And that’s what got me thinking. Heading to Dundee end of June, and learning more about the whale research that’s been taking place in and around the remote sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, is a perfect way to celebrate our oceans. From meeting the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists and hearing directly from the team about their ‘Hungry Humpbacks’ research and experiences, to meeting the principal curator of the Natural History Museum AND meeting artist Michael Visocchi, actually seeing the Key Table of the Whale Memorial that will head to South Georgia… these opportunities don’t happen often!

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June 6, 2025
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Environment

Dundee’s Calling! Get Ready for a “Whale of a Weekend” with South Georgia Heritage Trust

Guess what’s on my radar for June? Mark your calendars because the South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) is bringing a truly unmissable festival to Dundee, Scotland, from June 26th to 29th, 2025! Get ready for the “Whale of a Weekend” – and trust me, it’s going to be epic.

You know how passionate I am about our planet, its incredible wildlife, and particularly the spectacular island of South Georgia – this event ticks all the boxes. It won’t be just a fun day out but a deep dive into the fascinating, and sometimes heartbreaking history of South Georgia, polar exploration and science and a beacon of hope for wildlife conservation.

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May 26, 2025
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Environment, Sustainable Travel

An Evening of Antarctic Inspiration: A James Caird Society Dinner to Remember

Last week, I had the immense privilege of attending the bi-annual James Caird Society dinner, at Dulwich College, an event that always promises a deep dive into the heroic age of Antarctic exploration. This year, however, felt particularly special, leaving me filled with inspiration and a renewed sense of awe for those who braved the frozen continent.

The air bubbled with anticipation as members gathered around the James Caird, many of whom have their own incredible stories connected to polar exploration. The evening’s speaker in the Great Hall at Dulwich, was Bob Headland, a renowned writer and polar historian whom I had had the pleasure of sitting next to at the previous dinner. His address was, as expected, a masterclass in storytelling, ‘Non-existent Islands & Rocks of the Southern Ocean’, bringing to life incredible marine tales of endurance and resilience that define the era of Shackleton, Scott, and their contemporaries.

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May 20, 2025
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Environment, Sustainable Travel

Finding Our Sustainable Footprints, From Local Lanes to Distant Shores

Our little corner of Chorleywood gathered together on a cold March evening, for a thoughtful discussion on something that touches all our lives: travel. With a focus on sustainability, we delved into the nitty-gritty of our local transport options and broadened our horizons to consider the impact of our holidays.

It was an uplifting discussion, with many different opinions and inputs. Here are our outcomes….

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April 14, 2025
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