NWP 15. Flipper lickin’ good

29-Aug-24 Murray Island

Been following a chap’s blog who is rowing the North West Passage on the Cambridge Bay to Prudhoe Bay sector. Our paths will cross this morning. Between 0500-0600hrs. As you all know by now. Don’t do mornings so won’t be up to wave. In any event, they are rowing in the lee of an island we are the other side of it seems judging from their tracker. And we are some miles away. So unlikely to see a small 4 man rowing boat called Hermione bobbing up and down on the horizon.

You can follow them here (which also has links to there blog): www.facebook.com/NWPexpedition

If you like gin, you can support them here: https://cambridgedistillery.co.uk/products/northwest-passage-gin

Lectures on the Franklin expedition, bird feathers and the geology of the Arctic are, as usual, fascinating. I have no interest in birds but the wildlife lectures are really informative. Ever looked at a bird feather under a microscope? Like Velcro.

Late afternoon by the time we arrive at Murray Island in the Coronation Gulf. Expedition crew have to Zodiac around the island and go ashore with rifles and flares to ensure there are no polar bears roaming about. Takes an hour.

Standing on deck looking at a remote, desolate, barren island with nothing but some grass and rocks. Receive a text from Miss Nottingham. Miss Nottingham has been alerted by little sis, Bloss. Telling me that there’s a Kentucky Fried Chicken at my next destination.

Hmmmm.

Thought I.

Don’t think so.

As I look out a flattish, featureless Martian landscape.

But there’s a smidgeon of doubt in my mind. Had previously heard a bloke tell another bloke on deck that there’s a McDonald’s on here as we approached a few miles out. Obviously thought it was a joke on account of it being so featureless.

But now Bloss is telling me there’s a KFC.

Miss Nottingham also doubting little sis does some research and confirms. Yes there is a KFC. With a 4.6 rating on Google.

Now. To put this in context. Miss Nottingham and Bloss are seasoned travellers. More than me, dear reader. I am being followed on my journey. Not stalked though. They know their stuff. They know the ship’s track. They know it’s at Murray Island.

With three people saying there’s a fast food joint. I begin to think that maybe there is a KFC on the island. Miss Nottingham suggests it could be whale nuggets. Finger lickin’ good becomes flipper lickin’ good.

I know. It’s bad.

But of course. It all becomes clear. There is no KFC on Murray Island. But there is at my next destination after Murray Island. In Cambridge Bay. Something to look forward to then.

Zodiac landings start at 1830hrs. Early dinner, dear reader. Don’t do early dinner. That’s for old folk.

1915hrs by the time my group bounce along in the Zodiac to shore (on the return a tall German is scared witless as we literally bounce up off our seats going over a wave). Surprisingly sandy beach. And we walk to the top of a hill. For those who have walked across the top of Kinder Scout in the Peak District in Derbyshire, UK. It’s exactly like that. Boggy. Tufts of grass. Granite stone here and there. Granite becomes more prevalent the higher up we go. Smoothed by glaciation. Streaks in the granite show glacial striation.

Walking in thermal wellies which are a bit too large. With a lifejacket on. With a rucksack on back. On top of lifejacket. With a camera bag on front. Wearing polar puffa jacket. With a waterproof overcoat. Oh yes. Less Touring Taurean. More Sherpa Taurean. Would help if I could wear my own hiking boots. You know. The ones that fit like a glove and are comfortable. But no. Suffer in silence.

And reach the top.

Wow.

What a view of the Coronation Gulf.

Radar domes on the nearby Edinburgh Island part of the Distant Early Warning System. To detect nuclear attacks. Early.

Now about 2000hrs. Sun is sinking to the sea. Sunset soon.

Hang around at the top until a batch of tourists start going down.

Now on my own.

It’s one of those pinch me moments.

Less than 400 hundred people have apparently set foot on Murray Island. I am one of them. Now.

Bright blue sky. Soon be the golden hour.

Have a moment to myself.

This is my Danco Island moment. (https://touringtaurean.com/bloody-hell-bloody-hell/)

This is why I work.