The week leading up to the 15th July 20017 was not a normal week, as most of us on base had a big to do list. This of course was down to the fact that our two polar field guides, Tom Sylvester and Julie Baum were to be married and nobody was exempt from helping with the preparations.
With natural daylight increasing daily and once or twice the sun very nearly peeking over the mountains, the mood on base certainly seemed more energised. There was plenty to do and having sat down with Tom and Julie previously to discuss the menu, the wedding cake, timings and a format for the day, it was clear from the start that this was not going to be an ordinary wedding.
Spectacular view from my window with the daylight starting to appear but still with the moon shining over the mountains.
The Preparation
Preparations started in the dining hall, with Blair, Steve and Bradders, our field guides putting their knot skills to good use by tying string to the ceiling panels to create a framework of webbing.
String being strategically placed
Then Rio and Joe come in to hang lights along the table
It was amazing to watch as drapes and sheets, that had been ironed and pressed by Julie where hung from the string to form what was to be the wedding Marquee in our dining room.
The tables had been turned lengthwise with the one at the end
going across to create a top table
So for the next couple of days we would eat our meals under the
sheets with the sides rolled up
This way you still have access to the servery and all other functions
A big problem being in Antarctica, is that you just can't nip out and get what you want or order things in that you need, so when it comes to the flowers you have to make them. Jen Doc along with Julie, very cleverly over two weeks made 66 flowers to decorate the Marquee and the ceremonial chapel, as well as the brides bouquet and flowers for the bridesmaids. The flowers for the Marquee, were white and pink, while the brides bouquet and bridesmaids flowers were blue and made out of photographs of things that Julie has done here at Rothera, for example boating, penguins, whales, climbing etc.
Here Jen and Julie are busy making their blooms
Looking very effective in the bucket
These flowers are incredible and were made out of old Antarctic maps
You can just see the maps in the petals
The biggest challenge for me was the making of the wedding cake. Julie wanted three different cakes, a fruit cake which was to be the bottom tier, a carrot cake for the second tier and a chocolate cake for the top tier. This was fine but we had no cake stand, so I approached Paul Samways our Station Leader and explained my dilemma, Paul went away and came back with a solution. If I were to give him the dimensions of the cakes he would make a stand, being skilled with wood he did just that and it was fantastic. It was made from an old sledge, maple and oak and each base spun as a turntable.
It was now up to me to make the cakes to fill it.
Awesome cake stand
The next challenge I faced was the cakes themselves, I did not have a big enough round cake tin for the bottom tier, so i used a square one and cut it round. The next stage was to marzipan the cakes, but i had to leave one free of marzipan, due to one of the guests having a nut allergy, they are also Lactose intolerant so I left marzipan off the carrot cake, as that one is made with sunflower oil and no butter.
Fruit cake about to be covered
Trimming off the overhang
Three cakes all covered, Fruit cake and chocolate cake covered
with marzipan and the carrot cake covered with crusting Icing
We have no fondant icing down here, so i had to make my own if i wanted a nice finish to the cakes. The problem being, In order to make fondant icing as well as icing sugar and gelatin, you need liquid glucose and glycerin, neither of which i had. The plumbers came to my rescue as far as the glycerine was concerned as they use that as an ingredient in the STP (sewage treatment plant) I didn't ask! The liquid glucose i had to make by boiling 2 parts sugar with 1 part water and adding a small amount of cream of tartar, this helps to stop the sugar crystallizing. Once i had made the liquid glucose i could make the fondant icing, which would be used to cover the cakes and make some flowers for the decoration.
Fondant icing on the go
Fondant icing made and ready to be kneaded into a smooth rollable paste
All cakes covered, I decided to leave the carrot cake a chocolate colour
as it matched the cake stand and gave a better contrast
Now the tricky bit, making the roses that will decorate the cake. In order to get the petals thin enough on the edges you need a confectioner's sponge pad and a balling tool, again these are things i do not have. So i asked Theresa our dive officer if she had any spare neoprene in the dive store, she said she would get me some. Once armed with my neoprene pad and a spoon, i started to make the flowers and quickly discovered that because the air is so dry in Antarctica, i had to work quite quickly as the paste started to dry and harden before i had time to mold, this caused a lot of cracking and frustration.
But perseverance paid off and i had some flowers that could be used, bearing in mind that i still had to feed everyone lunch and dinner so all this had to be done in the evening, once i had finished work and i had the kitchen to myself to concentrate. These flowers took me 5 hours to make finishing at 12:45pm. I think they were worth the effort.
Drying out the roses, didn't take long
The roses on the cake, with the cake on the stand
I was pleased with the outcome. Cake done!
The next day was Friday, the day before the wedding and i would have had lunch and dinner to do as well as prep for the wedding plus evening buffet. I was thrown a lifeline when Mabell stepped in and offered to do lunch and dinner that day, he also offered to do breakfast the following day, as it was originally my day off. This was great as it left me all day to do my prep and have a bit of a lie in the next morning.
Zoe our Marine assistant offered to help with the evening buffet prep, this was good as i could now concentrate on the main event. The first course of the wedding breakfast was Salmon Gravlax, cured in sea salt, lemon juice, beetroot, juniper berries and gin and this had to be done a couple of days before as it needed two days to marinade
Here the salmon has been filleted and pin boned and awaits the marinade
The marinade is pasted on the fish and already the protiens are
breaking down creating juice
With the salmon covered in the beetroot mix it is wrapped in
parchment paper and cling film and placed in the fridge for two
days, turning it every 12 hours
While we were in full preparation mode, others on base were busy
getting their own bits and pieces ready
Looking out of the kitchen window, i saw Tom and Julie with
Blair our other field guide and official photographer, looking
like they were discussing where to have the photographs
Here Zoe is just finishing the last bit of prep for the evening buffet
The Wedding Day
So on the morning of the wedding, it was arranged for the girls to have their breakfast from 9:00am to 9:45am and the boys from 9:45 onwards. That way the two parties do not meet until the ceremony
When i arrived in the kitchen Mabell (Matt Bell) was all prepared for the girls to arrive, he had done an amazing job. He was in the kitchen nice and early and had already made fresh croissants, and fresh Bagels, laid the table and had bacon, sausage and scrambled egg on the go. Not at all bad for a Generator Mechanic.
Mabell making scrambled egg as the girls arrive
Another bonus for me was Steve, one of the other field guides just happened to be an ex chef who owned his own restaurant in France, he gave it up to pursue his passion for climbing and became a mountain guide. Steve offered to do sushi as canapes on arrival with the champagne and was more or less done by the time i got into the kitchen.
The table set and ready for the girls to arrive
The five girls on base are left to right: Julie, Polar field guide and Bride, Jen, Doctor and Maid of Honour, Zoe, Marine Assistant and Bridesmaid and Maz, Meteorologist and Bridesmaid. The last girl is Theresa our dive officer who was not at breakfast as she had just finished a week of nights and was allowed to be asleep.
Scrambled eggs and fresh bagels
Mabells croissants, they were delicious
everyone enjoyed them
With the girls having finished breakfast, they left to get ready leaving the marquee free for the boys to eat. With seventeen of us, their breakfast was a come to the counter and help yourself, Zac with the beard and white tee shirt is our Boatman and the best man.
Tom our Polar field guide and Groom, looks happy to be starting the day with a good breakfast.
Steve, rolling the sushi
With everyone having finished breakfast and the Marquee cleared, it was time to lay the tables, set the flowers, arrange the cake and for me to make the bread rolls and hope that i have enough time to get them in and out of the oven with everything ready, in order for me to get to my room, shower, change and arrive at the chapel before the bride.
The flowers that Jen and Julie made out of Antarctic maps, were presented in primus stoves. Ingenious! They looked great.
Cake in position on the stand and table laid ready
A few finishing touches, with the sides of the marquee being rolled down to hide the kitchen, service and wash areas. It was a rush for me but i managed to get to the makeshift chapel in Fuchs just in time, I was the last one to arrive but made it before the bride. I got myself a glass of champagne and took my seat. I had not seen the room prior to the ceremony and i was amazed how well it had been made up, It was hard to believe we were sitting in the sewing loft of Fuchs House, (which is where Tom and Julie work as field guides) surrounded by strategically placed and ironed bed sheets.
The Ceremony
It was an amazing service, given by Paul Samways our Station Leader and sworn in Magistrate. There were some lovely words spoken and poems read, Tom and Julie's vows were quite emotional and it was a privilege to witness the exchanging of the rings, both of which were made by Tom, made out of brass turned on a lathe in the garage. The following pictures are courtesy of Blair
The rings, on a wedding invitation,
Paul Samways officially marrying Tom and Julie
Man and wife
It's official
The Photo's
Once the ceremony was over we all got into our boots and headed outside for the official photographs. I hoped it wasn't going to take too long because i had things that needed attention in the kitchen, plus the temperature outside was around minus 9 degrees C, but everyone was in good spirits and a little bit of cold didn't seem to bother them.
Jen Doc walking over to NBH transferring the flowers she had made
The flower lady! The blue bouquets were made out of
photographs of Rothera activities
Blair setting up the camera, facing the icebergs
The guests start to congregate for the pictures
Zoe holding her Bridesmaid flower
All 5 girls, Theresa, Jen, Julie, Maz, Zoe
Always time for a sexy shot, no matter how cold!
Ben, our Marine Biologist, alias Baby Banana, runs to the front and falls down the slope
We all had to run towards the camera, pretending there was a killer penguin chasing us, this was Julies idea as she wants to photoshop in a killer penguin chasing us!
Paul Samways, Station Leader, Julie and Tom, Bride and Groom, Jen, Maid of Honour, Zac, Best Man
A Beautiful Couple
The wedding dress was made by julie, incorporating and old pyramid tent, she did a fantastic job and looked gorgeous.
The official wedding photo, with all 22 of us.
From left to right: Matt Bell (Genny Mech) Zac Priestly (Boatman) Ben Keitch (Electronics Engineer) Steve Windross (Field Guide) Alan Messenger ( IT & Communications) Jen Douglas (Doctor) Joe Burton (Electrician) Ben Robinson (Marine Biologist) Matt Washington (Vehicle Mech) Julie Sylvester (Field Guide) Tom Sylvester (Field Guide) Will Van de Wouw (Vehicle Mech) Trevor Hancock (Chef) Theresa Murphy (Dive Officer) Paul Samways (Station Leader) Michael Bell (PLumber) Mairi Simms ( Meteorologist) Bradley Morrell (Field Guide) Zoe Wareing (Marine Assistant) Dan Doran (Electrician) Neil Brown (Plumber) The one kneeling is Blair (Field Guide)
With all Photo's done the wedding guests make their way upstairs to the bar for champagne and sushi, while i make my way to the kitchen and the bride and groom drive off in a snow cat along the runway, for a few more pictures for the media. This picture was taken from the kitchen
The Wedding Meal
The Menu
On Arrival
Sushi and champagne
Starter
Salmon Gravlax cured with Beetroot and Gin
Intermediate
Mango Sorbet
Main Course
Chargrilled Rump of Lamb
Redcurrant & Port wine Jus
Dauphinoise Potatoes
Buttered Spinach
chargrilled Carrots
Dessert
Bitter Chocolate Tart
&
Parsnip Ice Cream
The Salmon Gravlax ready to be served
Starters on the table with everyone having a place setting with their names in a champagne cork
The cake didn't look out of place
Zac helping to serve the main course
Dauphinoise potatoes and lamb ready to be plated
Main course served
The dessert went down very well, Chocolate tart and Parsnip Ice cream
Time to cut the cake
The first cut is the deepest
We then had the speeches, which was quite a laugh as the best man had only known the groom for as long as we have wintered together, but he did a great job and there were no awkward silences. Paul Samways started stood up to speak and told a story about an Australian (Will) who approached him in the bar one night with an idea that was pure genius and the two or three of them started to work on it. He went on to talk about the Flag ceremony that we had a few weeks ago, when the sun went down and the flag was lowered and how it was to be put aside to be raffled for one lucky person on base to win.
It was then that he presented Tom and Julie with their wedding gift, which was a frame made from an old sledge and mounted in it was their official wedding photo, plus a piece of the flag, with a picture of all the winterers holding that flag. It was a an incredible gift with a lot of time and effort going into it. But that was not the end of the story, Paul, then presented everyone with a present and after he had finished talking, we were told to open them.
We were all amazed and speechless at what we found on unwrapping our gifts. We were all presented with a framed and mounted picture of the flag ceremony and a piece of the flag. Emotional!
That has to be the first time in BAS history that every winterer goes home with a piece of the flag as a reminder of their time at Rothera. Maybe this will set a precedence for future winters. Who knows?
The perfect hand made wedding gift.
And the perfect gift to remember my winter, especially as i was the one who lowered the flag
MEMORABLE!
The Evening
With the buffet nicely set out in the Big TV Room and the projector on, we all made our way to the bar for the next stage of the wedding. Once we were all in attendance the slide started in the background, showing Tom and Julie's life adventures around the world. It was lovely to learn a bit more about them and to have a little glimpse into the adventures of this awesome couple.
It wasn't long before the music started and people were starting to let their hair down.
The big screen showing the couples adventures
The cake went down a storm
I still have a couple of roses left
There was a couple of live acts performing one or two numbers for the couple, although most of it was off the cuff as not many of us had time to practice. I have to say it all went rather well with no mistakes and a good night was had by all.
Alan on the guitar and Zac on the beat box accompanying me on the Clarinet
Maz and Samways did a great number
Tom and Julie did a duet which was really good, Tom on the guitar and Julie on the Mandolin.
They are both very good
When everyone retired, Tom and Julie were told they could not go to their room, as a Honeymoon Suite had been specially made for them in the sewing room of Fuchs House. This was the chapel that had now been converted to the bridal suite
All laid out nicely with all the trimmings
Champagne on Ice, Chocolates and a message
What an absolutely amazing day, with amazing people in an amazing place doing amazing things.
There are not many weddings that take place, where all the guests have an input into making the day special by making everything from scratch. We have a very talented team of people here at Rothera and i for one am very proud to be a part of it.
I am extremely lucky to have been part of Tom and Julie's Wedding
and feel very privileged to call them my friends.
Congratulations to you both, I wish you lots of happiness for your future together!
With this being the first official wedding in British Antarctic Territories, there was so much media attention from around the globe, here are a couple of links to video footage from the BAS Media press release.
Plus ITV's The Lorraine Show, where Tom and Julie give a live Interview, which meant they had to be up at 4:30am our time to fit in with UK time. It is worth watching!
The Next Day
Was a Sunday and i was up nice and early in order to get Brunch ready and start prep for the Sunday dinner. It was an easy day and went very smoothly, the daylight is staying with us a bit longer and the sun is teasing us by not quite rising over the mountains. It won't be long, a couple more days and we will be having the flag raising ceremony to mark the sunrise, weather permitting. Below are a few pictures taken these last couple of days. Time is going so quickly.
Great blog Trev. Congrats to the happy couple. Lovely wedding meal but not as good as mine ( but then I'm bias) look forward to seeing you on your return. Have fun love from all the Harris clan xxx
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