Ramblings The Gower Peninsula to Antarctica
Nov 20, 2025
Clare Balding chats with Rob Curtis, an electrician and seasoned polar fieldworker with the British Antarctic Survey. Rob shares his captivating tales from Halley Research Station, detailing the challenges of life on the ice, from battling fierce katabatic winds to daily routines involving firefighting and Nordic skiing. Despite a recent diabetes diagnosis, he remains determined to return to Antarctica, highlighting his love for nature and commitment to conservation. They also delve into the stunning Gower landscape and the importance of community action against pollution.
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Life At Halley Station
- Rob Curtis spent 14 months at Halley including three months of total darkness and three months of continuous sun.
- He recalls standing outside at night watching the stars and galaxy, calling it one of the wonders of his life.
Engineering For A Moving Ice Shelf
- Halley stations evolved from stilted structures to modular buildings on skis to manage moving sea ice.
- The station must sometimes be relocated or abandoned when cracks form in the ice shelf, forcing design and operational changes.
Many Hats And Shovels
- Rob describes multi-role life at Halley: electrician, fire search-and-rescue, and frequent snow digging.
- He emphasizes daily tasks like shoveling snow for access and melting it for strictly conserved drinking water.
