OHYAT: Atch's Choice

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO TODAY, in response to Atch's note, Dr Simpson* sent two men to Hut Point to take Atch's place driving the dogs south to meet the Polar Party. One was Silas Wright, the man Atch had requested to take his place; the other was Apsley Cherry-Garrard, the second choice in case Silas could not go. He was, ostensibly, to choose between them.
*the meteorologist who was in charge of the main base, remember?

( CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURER! )

Complicating the issue was the fact that Simpson was to go home with the ship, which was likely to leave before the dogteams brought the Polar Party back. The nature of his meteorological work demanded assiduous regular records – if there was a gap of a few weeks, it would be impossible to get a thorough image of Antarctic weather and the whole season's work would be down the drain. Dr Simpson made it clear that Silas was the only one available with the scientific experience and expertise necessary to fill his shoes both as resident meteorologist and interim Head of Scientific Staff.

So the job fell to Cherry.

MEANWHILE, the Polar Party was dragging their way across the Barrier – once again they were coping with loose sandy snow and there seemed to be no end in sight. Yesterday they lost the tracks they had been following and feared they were off course, but today they picked them up again. They were on full rations and supplemented by pony meat they'd dug up from the snow. 'Things are again looking up,' Scott wrote.

Lovely Lenten Ladies, 1 and 2

I recently had to throw together a sampling of my work at short notice (it's always at short notice, isn't it?) and in trying to populate pages with non-work sketches from the past year, it became blisteringly apparent to me that I hardly draw any women at all.

( Musing on Gender Imbalance )

So in an effort to redress the imbalance, I have dedicated this Lent to Lovely Ladies (not necessarily of the Les Mis variety). And in the interest of skill-building and balance, I shall endeavour not simply to draw another drawing of Emilia every day, even though she rocks so hard I could give it a shot.

Here are the first two Lovely Lenten Ladies:

       
Fig. 1: If my roommate's cat were human;    Fig. 2: Easy shortcut to glamour: Make it Edwardian!