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Travel

Environment, Travel

South Georgia’s Silent Guardian: When Art Meets Action

Robert E Fuller

I’m always on the lookout for individuals doing incredible things for our planet, those unsung heroes, the quiet folk making a real difference. Well, wildlife artist and filmmaker, Robert E Fuller is right up there with the best of them. But don’t get me wrong, this severely dyslexic Yorkshire lad, from a farming background, left school early with little to no qualifications save art, and didn’t know if he could make a living from painting.

If you’re a regular here, you know I adore wildlife, art, conservation and especially penguins. Robert E Fuller, with his breathtakingly realistic paintings and live webcams, is a true master of both. His ability to capture the spirit of nature is awe-inspiring. But it’s not just about the art; it’s about the passion that drives it.

Here’s what he told me when we spoke…

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March 27, 2025
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Environment, Travel

From Frozen Shores to Glasgow Glory: Winning Best Documentary at the Glasgow Film Awards!

We are absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured to announce that our documentary,’ ANATARCTICA. A Life Changing Experience’ has won the Best Documentary award at the prestigious Glasgow Film Awards! This recognition from the Glasgow Awards, celebrating the best of Scottish film and beyond, is a monumental achievement for our small team, and for the vital work of the South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) and the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC).

But just what is the work these organisations are doing? Why was my visit there a life changing experience and why did it compel me to want this documentary to be made?

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March 6, 2025
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Environment, Travel

Powering Change: How Transitions Street’s Energy Module Makes a Difference

Our first Transitions Street’s meeting took time to organise but so exceeded my expectations. What did I expect? Good question.

As per my earlier post, our street’s WhatsApp group’s been a lifeline, especially since the whole lockdown madness. Remember those days? We were all running around, dropping off groceries, posting letters for each other, just… being a proper community. Five years on, and it’s still going strong. It’s the place for everything! “Anyone got a spare drill?” “Hey, I’m decluttering, anyone want this amazing casserole dish?”  

As a group of interested neighbours, that’s neighbours interested in living a more sustainable life, we were already taking positive steps but also thinking, “What’s next?” We’re all kind of on the same page about wanting to live a bit greener, a bit more sustainably but how to go beyond just borrowing tools and start really making a difference???

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February 28, 2025
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Environment, Travel

South Georgia Museum: A Hidden Gem in the Southern Ocean

One of the most remote museums in the world

When we booked our trip to Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica, if someone had told me there was a museum on South Georgia, I’d have probably choked on my tea. I mean, think about it – it’s seriously remote!

Miles and miles of ocean, right near Antarctica, and not exactly what you’d call a bustling metropolis. You picture icy landscapes, penguins galore, maybe a research station or two… but a museum? It just seems so unexpected! Like finding a Starbucks in the middle of the Sahara…

But that’s what makes it so brilliant, doesn’t it? The fact that in this wild, isolated place, there’s this dedicated group of people preserving the history of South Georgia, from its whaling past to its incredible natural environment. But there is more… of course!

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February 20, 2025
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Environment, Travel

Whales, Barnacles, and Leftover Rivets: A Sculptor’s Journey to South Georgia

Imagine this: you’re in a sculptor’s studio tucked away in the Scottish Highlands. It used to be a schoolhouse, but now it’s the birthplace of something truly incredible. Michael Visocchi, the sculptor in question, is working on a massive piece, a whale memorial in fact, called “Commensalis” that’s destined for a far-flung location – Grytviken, an abandoned whaling station on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia.

Just live, this BBC World Service programme pulls together not just challenges of the sculpture itself, but the journey so far and some of Visocchi’s concerns as well as learning much about South Georgia from Alison Neil, South Georgia Heritage Trust’s Chief Executive and the organisation behind the whale memorial concept.

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January 24, 2025
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Environment, Travel

Happy Penguin Awareness Day, fellow penguin lovers! 🐧🎉

Can you believe there’s a whole day dedicated to these tuxedo-clad, waddling wonders? Well, there is – it’s today, January 20th, and I thought it would be the perfect excuse to dive into the world of penguins.

I’m completely mesmerised by these charismatic and captivating creatures. But beneath their adorable exteriors lies a whole lot of fascinating facts. As ‘Guardians of the Antarctic’ penguins are iconic symbols, embodying the resilience of life in one of the most extreme environments on Earth but unfortunately, they face some very real threats. So, on Penguin Awareness Day, let’s get clued up on all things penguin!

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January 19, 2025
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Environment, Travel

Eco-Conscious Indulgence: My Dolder Grand Experience

A big part of why I loved my trip to Zurich so much was my stay at the Dolder Grand Hotel. This luxurious hotel isn’t just about five-star service and stunning views – although it definitely has those things in spades! The Dolder Grand is also a champion of sustainability, and I wanted to share some of their incredible initiatives with you all.

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January 16, 2025
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Environment, Travel

A Greener Christmas: Sustainable Celebrations

Is this post too late? Hopefully not – there are still a few days until Christmas. Continuing the theme, ‘Christmas doesn’t have to come at the cost of the planet’.

This is a time for joy, love, and giving BUT it often comes with a surge in waste and environmental impact. This year, let’s strive for a greener Christmas by making conscious choices.

Here are a few simple ways to make your festive season more sustainable – that means having no or little negative impact on the planet and its resources. Focusing on ‘shopping, ‘gifting’ and ‘eco-friendly decorations’ in this blog.

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December 18, 2024
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Environment, Travel

My Favourite Tipple Just Got Sustainable!

A major draw for visitors to the Isle of Islay is to visit one or two of the top distilleries. There are more distilleries on this island, per square meter, than any other Scottish island. As a peaty whisky lover, Islay is a paradise for me, with Lagavulin my favourite brand. But there was a surprise in store for me.

Having taken many a whisky distillery in my time, this time I noticed something very different with our Lagavulin tour – they talked about the SUSTAINABLE aspects of their production, in particular with reference to water. I am a passionate supporter of organisations that take sustainability very seriously.

Until I got home and contacted them for more information, I didn’t understand the significance of what Diageo, the business behind Lagavulin, are working on in this regards. Discover this incredible story with me.

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November 29, 2024
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