1.Why do you have to tow your own poo? Why can’t you just drop it? (Tom Godwin)
Well Tom. Antarctica is a very special place and the areas we are travelling through have only been visited by a handful of people. To minimise our impact on the environment we are collecting all our poo in large bags- which for some reason have Father Christmas on them – and carrying it so it can be
flown out. This reduces the direct impact on Antarctica- although flying it out causes some pollution. I can tell you that poo is very heavy when you have large quantities of it.

2. Have you seen any penguins? (Elliot Powell)
Hi Elliot. We haven’t seen any penguins here and we don’t expect to see them as we are about 600 miles from the coast. It would be one very lost penguin if it turned up here. We are actually the only living things around for miles, with the exception of lichens.

3. After you’ve done all the hard work, do you feel it’s worth it? (Hannah Dabin)
Great question Hannah! It’s been incredibly hard work, but I think every minute has been worth it as we have managed to find some lichens in places that people have never found them before. It’s quite a special feeling knowing that you have found something new that no one else in the world knew.
It’s also very special walking in places where it’s quite likely that no one has ever walked before.

4.Have you had to build an igloo? (Laura Egan)
We build mini igloos at every stop to use as toilets. It is very cold and windy and dropping your trousers at -35 degrees is not very comfortable. The igloo gives us a little bit of protection from the wind.

5. Have you built any snowmen? (Elliot Powell)
Do you know Louise Plummer? (Elliot Powell)
You’ve been busy with questions Elliot! We haven’t had the chance to build a snowman but we have cut ice blocks to make big words in the snow. Louise is my cousin- which means I must be related to you in some way- but I can’t figure out how exactly. Lucky you!

6.Have any of you turned into a penguin – in other words, are you all walking funny because of the cold? And say Hi to Pingu! (Tom Godwin)
Hello again Tom. We are walking funny because of all our blisters so perhaps we do all look like penguins. I will say hi to Pingu if I see him.

7.What research have you actually done? (Ian Strachan)
Great question Ian. We have searched for and found lichens in areas where people didn’t know there were any. When we find one we take photos, record a GPS location, write descriptions of the habitat and take small samples if we can. When we get back to the UK we will work with experts at the University
of Nottingham to identify the lichen species we have found and also to see whether we can find any tardigrades (microscopic animals) living in them. So most of our research has been collection so far and the next step will be when we get back.

8.What home-comforts are you missing most? (Mr.Bottrill)
Where do I start Mr Bottrill. I think probably a toilet. Also a shower. After 28 days of not washing I can confirm that your hair does not look great. I look like I have stepped out a swimming pool.

9.What are you eating out there? (George Riley)
We are eating a lot of chocolate George. Three bars a day. We also eat nuts, cereal bars, cereal in the morning, cup-a-soups and for dinner a lovely rehydrated meal. Mmmmm. After a month of eating the same thing every day I am getting very fed up of it. In fact I don’t think I can talk about food
any more. It is too painful. It makes me think of pizza and chips.

10. Would you rather be too hot or too cold? (Mr.Bottrill)
Phew that’s a tough one. If you get too hot here then you sweat and your sweat freezes and then you get really cold. But if you get too cold there is usually something you can do like get in your sleeping bag. So here I think too cold- as long as I’ve got a way to warm up. But elsewhere in the
world…I’m a heat seeker!

11. Who are you missing most from school? Connor Dawes)
Well Connor. I think I’m missing you the most. I’m also missing my form very much and all my classes really. I’m missing the teachers too. I don’t think I would be able to narrow it down.

12. From your experience so far, would you do it again? (Beccy Naughton)
Yes Beccy. I would jump at the chance to do this again. It’s been amazing and I feel very lucky to get the chance to see such an incredible place.

After mentioning to my Year 8 form that you have to poo in a bag, they suddenly became increasingly interested in what you’ve been up to, so I thought we’d write you a group e-mail so they cold ask you some of their questions.

Here’s a selection of some of the best (!):

Why do you have to tow your own poo? Why can’t you just drop it? (Tom Godwin)

Have you seen any penguins? (Elliot Powell)

After you’ve done all the hard work, do you feel it’s worth it? (Hannah Dabin)

Have you had to build an igloo? (Laura Egan)

Have you built any snowmen? (Elliot Powell)
Do you know Louise Plummer? (Elliot Powell)

Have any of you turned into a penguin – in other words, are you all walking funny because of the cold? And say Hi to Pingu! (Tom Godwin)

What research have you actually done? (Ian Strachan)

What home-comforts are you missing most? (Mr.Bottrill)

What are you eating out there? (George Riley)

Would you rather be too hot or too cold? (Mr.Bottrill)

Who are you missing most from school? Connor Dawes)

From your experience so far, would you do it again? (Beccy Naughton)

I hope these little pearls of wisdom keep you amused!

All the best, Ian