One Woman's Writing Retreat: Nicola Warwick

by Nicola Warwick

Exploring Shackleton

I blame Ralph Fiennes.

Or maybe I should credit him. For it was he who set me on a path towards that sometimes bleak and unfriendly landscape that is Antarctica.

It all started one day in Putney, South West London when I watched a television film called A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia. Ralph was sublime as TE Lawrence and since then his has been my favourite portrayal of the man. The film coincided with my initial forays into the unexplored territory of the Web and like many newbies I spent a considerable amount of time online in those early days. Soon I was a fully signed-up member of a very serious e-mail list dedicated to Lawrence of Arabia.

For the most part, all the contributors were extremely learned and academic Lawrence followers and their postings to the list were fairly high brow often concentrating on the politics associated with Lawrence's activities.

One day I thought I'd come up with a question that merited posting to the list and I asked whether there was anyone still alive who had known Lawrence.

I received one reply. From Colorado in the United States. And that was the start of my e-mail correspondence and friendship with Ray, a fellow TE fan and former correspondent of AW Lawrence, TE's brother.

I tell you all this to explain the origins of my fascination with Antarctica.

My interest in Scott was sparked one day by a casual comment made by Ray in an e-mail "I am just going outside and may be some time." Words attributed, of course, to Captain Oates and it was enough to set me off on a virtual journey to Antarctica by way of Scott's diaries, Apsley Cherry-Garrard's diaries, Mrs. Chippy's diaries, and then various biographies and accounts about Shackleton. Most recently I was gripped by Shackleton's diaries.

"In the Freezer" includes news of the recent Shackleton's Steps expedition as well as exclusive interviews with the expedition team. An evolving project, the site will host further interviews with other adventurers with important Antarctic associations.

I hope you'll join in the adventure and capture some of the spirit of those original Antarctic explorations.

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