British Chapter News

(Story added : October 23, 2009) - October News

ROBERT ROSE MEMORIAL WINDOW

Lorie Karnath, President of the Explorers Club has launched an initiative to restore one of the fine medieval stained glass windows in the Clubhouse in memory of Robert H. Rose.  The British Chapter has
donated $500 towards the cost of restoration.

If you would like to make a donation towards this initiative then please contact Lorie Karnath at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Barry Moss at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

MIKAEL STRANDBERG LECTURE – ALONG SIBERIA’S KOLYMA RIVER

Mikael Strandberg’s library lecture, given to a joint meeting of the British Chapter of The Explorers Club and The Travellers Club on 19th October was full to capacity and there was an expectation that
something unique was about to be witnessed.  The audience of seasoned travellers and explorers seated in what had been the Queen Mother’s favourite room in London were to be far from disappointed.

Nobody could have imagined the extreme hardship, cold and danger that Strandberg and his companion had experienced on his last major expedition. The beauty of the river, the friendliness of the people seemed oddly misplaced with the horrors and evil that took place in that part of Siberia during the Soviet era.  Many of the locals still longed for past days where security and a social system provided for
most of their basic needs and Mikael’s lecture made it clear that many still yearned for the return of the security and certainty that the State had provided prior to the transition to a semi-capitalist society.

Mikael’s lecture is crafted like a Nordic epic and in some ways that is exactly what it is.  A mixture of a quest for the meaning of life, trials, tribulations, fierce animals, spells and signs.  It is about
the search for oneness with nature, survival, harmony and the fellowship of man.

Strandberg is an explorer of extremes.  His humour is infectious and crosses any language barrier.  But most important, he is an astute observer of cultures, many of which are likely to be lost in the next
generation or two.  His expeditions are not only adventurous, they are also a record of things past that may never be eye-witnessed again. Communication is Mikael’s craft and long may that continue.

We wish him the best of luck with his next expedition - A 12,500km epic journey by camel from Oman to Morocco, due to commence early next year.

NEIL LAUGHTON’S SKYCAR EXPEDITION

For those of you who watched the Daredevils programme on Tuesday 20th October, I am sure that you will agree that it was a gripping documentary of British eccentricity and daring do.

Who else could have thought of flying a beach buggy strapped under a parasail from London to Timbuktu with basically everything stacked against you?  Well done Neil for having put your faith and your life
on the line to accomplish this unique venture.

Story published by : Barry Moss (MI'94)

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