[Rockin Robbins]

As might not be surprising the first team member to dispatch from the pole is.....Freddy T Bear!

Freddy makes it - Jan 08


Hip, hip hoorah!! WE ARE AT THE SOUTH POLE!! I am so excited, I can hardly sit still to write this!

Yesterday morning we started skiing at 7am and could see the South Pole in the distance – just a black dot, but we didn’t care – we were finally within reach of our goal.

The sun shone as we skied the final 20km; Polly and I couldn’t stop grinning, knowing that after 58 days on the ice and 1,140km of skiing, we would soon get the chance to stand at the South Pole.

Nobody wanted to stop for breaks – we’re all tired of eating the same food – and too keen to get there.

By 4.00pm we were walking along the runway towards the South Pole Station. Thirty minutes later we could see the international ceremonial flags which surround the South Pole globe.

‘You go ahead first, Freddy, you have done the team proud.’ Clare called from behind. I slowly walked up to the globe, touched it, looked at myself in the glass and then broke into a huge smile. ‘Wow! We really are here!!’ I shouted. Pat, Clare, Shaun and Jon stepped out of their skis and unclipped from their sleds. Together with Polly, we all hugged, cheered and waved the Irish flag. What a proud moment… one I will never forget – I am the first Irish bear to reach the South Pole, Polly the first penguin, Clare the first Irish female and all of us make up the first Irish team!

After taking some photos, we were met by the station master. She took us on a tour of the station where 243 people are currently working. It was so cool to step into the warmth of their canteen where we were treated to hot drinks and fresh cookies!

Our journey is finally over. Thank you to everyone at home who has followed our expedition – we’ve had a long, tough trip and all your messages have meant a lot to us.

I’m looking forward to getting home now.. See you when we get there!

Freddy & Polly.

Clare O Leary has been helping Freddy write his blogs since he left Ireland. Her enthusiasm and commitment for keeping it updated is a fantastic achievement and may help children get involved and learn about their expedition experience. Great job Clare.

posted by Pat Falvey on Wednesday the 9th of January, 2008 at 16:20
tagged as south pole dispatch, freddy

Stay tuned for word from Uber Gruber. Freddy makes it sound like it's time for a quick flight out of there, doesn't he? I can't blame him.

Irish penguin???