On Thursday evening Ben, Andy and I went up to Cambridge to visit the Scott Polar Research Institute. Our friend, Martin Hartley, was exhibiting his brilliant polar photography. What makes his portraits all the more special is if you watch this very brief film clip that shows how difficult it is to operate at temperatures of -40. Impressive stuff. Shame about his taste in shirts. The exhibition is a big thing for him, and richly deserved.
Whilst at SPRI I took the opportunity to visit the museum. It was thrilling. Memorabilia from Scott’s tent, final letters home when they knew their fate was sealed. The courage, the sadness, the pity of it all. Their stoic resignation and the lack of regret or recrimination. Powerful stuff.
From the poles to the orient: I’mm off to Vietnam tomorrow for a speaking gig. Looking forward to being back in a mad, whirlwind sort of country again; it’s been too long.