It didn't take me long to get back on the sea. This time aboard the M/V Sea Spirit as it sailed from northern Iceland to East Greenland and back. I was on board as a lecturer talking about aurora, vikings and polar exploration as we nudged through close pack ice in the Franz Josef Fjord and Scoresby Sund fjord systems - some of the biggest by area in the world.
Where is Felicity right now...?
Summer at the North Pole!
I've just returned from a summer on board the 50-Let-Pobedy (50 Years of Victory), a Russian nuclear powered icebreaker and the most powerful icebreaker in the world. We made four trips across the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole from Murmansk. The ship will now return to its normal icebreaking duties, keeping shipping moving along the north-east passage throughout the winter.
The world's icebreaker fleet will only grow in importance in the decades to come, so I valued the opportunity to experience what they do for myself. I was also fortunate to take part in a new Arctic Ocean Sea Ice Research Project run by Alex Cowan and Lauren Farmer (www.polarcollective.org) which has the potential to set a new and important standard practice for Citizen Science in the Arctic.
Images and film clips from the journey are shared on my Facebook page if you would like to take a look.
Investiture at Buckingham Palace
An incredible day with my family at Buckingham Palace in London to receive HM The Queen's Polar Medal and an MBE for services to Polar Exploration. I felt both incredibly proud and extremely humble to be surrounded by so many people who have done such amazing things.
The investiture was carried out by HRH Prince Charles and I found the day surprisingly emotional. Huge thanks to everyone who nominated me. I am one very happy Polar Explorer!
