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Penguins and elephant seals: Christmas at the end of the world | Penguins and elephant seals: Christmas at the end of the world |
(about 14 hours later) | |
If you have ever felt disgruntled about having to work over Christmas, spare a thought for the staff of Signy Research Station. | If you have ever felt disgruntled about having to work over Christmas, spare a thought for the staff of Signy Research Station. |
The base is one of the UK's smallest. It is situated in the remote South Orkney Islands, about 375 miles (604 km) north of the Antarctic Peninsula. | |
Seven people live and work on Signy Island, and are all spending 25 December there. | Seven people live and work on Signy Island, and are all spending 25 December there. |
Tim Morley, of Nottinghamshire, is looking forward to enjoying the snow. | Tim Morley, of Nottinghamshire, is looking forward to enjoying the snow. |
The 30-year-old, from Kimberley, said they put up the decorations about a week ago and have been watching Christmas films "to get into the spirit of things". | The 30-year-old, from Kimberley, said they put up the decorations about a week ago and have been watching Christmas films "to get into the spirit of things". |
He said: "Our station leader, by tradition, will be up early to start preparing the Christmas meal, which we will have around 14:00 our time." | He said: "Our station leader, by tradition, will be up early to start preparing the Christmas meal, which we will have around 14:00 our time." |
Mr Morley, who is a zoologist with the British Antarctic Survey, said they all had Christmas Day off. | Mr Morley, who is a zoologist with the British Antarctic Survey, said they all had Christmas Day off. |
He said: "I might enjoy a hike in the hills, spend some time in the snow and get the benefits of a white Christmas." | He said: "I might enjoy a hike in the hills, spend some time in the snow and get the benefits of a white Christmas." |
Then he will have Christmas dinner with his colleagues and speak to his parents and girlfriend on the phone. | Then he will have Christmas dinner with his colleagues and speak to his parents and girlfriend on the phone. |
You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
Man finishes solo race across Antarctica | Man finishes solo race across Antarctica |
Images from around England in 2018 | Images from around England in 2018 |
How to resist the festive 'drink pushers' | How to resist the festive 'drink pushers' |
On Boxing Day he will visit the penguins. | On Boxing Day he will visit the penguins. |
He said: "We are in the middle of the summer down here and the penguins are in the middle of their breeding season so the chances are I will be out on Boxing Day for a few hours at least to check up on them." | He said: "We are in the middle of the summer down here and the penguins are in the middle of their breeding season so the chances are I will be out on Boxing Day for a few hours at least to check up on them." |
Mr Morley said the team was there mainly there to monitor penguin colonies, but also to study other birds such as giant petrels and blue-eyes shags, as well as elephant seal and fur seal colonies. | Mr Morley said the team was there mainly there to monitor penguin colonies, but also to study other birds such as giant petrels and blue-eyes shags, as well as elephant seal and fur seal colonies. |
He has been there since 10 November and will leave at the end of March. | He has been there since 10 November and will leave at the end of March. |
Although he has never spent Christmas on Signy, he has spent a couple on Bird Island in South Georgia, so is used to being away from family. | Although he has never spent Christmas on Signy, he has spent a couple on Bird Island in South Georgia, so is used to being away from family. |
He said: "It is always a bit disappointing to be away from loved ones, particularly partners, at that time of the year but we try to have as much contact as possible." | He said: "It is always a bit disappointing to be away from loved ones, particularly partners, at that time of the year but we try to have as much contact as possible." |
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. |