|
Blue
Peter Presenter In Antarctica
Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton has spent Christmas Day in
Antarctica as she prepares for an attempt to become the first person to use
a bike to reach the South Pole.
The 28-year-old will begin her 500-mile ski, kite and ice bike journey
across Antarctica for Sport Relief on January 1.
Skelton, whose previous exploits include high-wire walking between the
chimneys of Battersea power station in London and becoming the first person
to solo-kayak the length of the Amazon, is aiming to set a new world record
for the longest bicycle journey on snow.
She also had to overcome the challenge of spending Christmas Day in
Antarctica, with hours of training in sub-zero temperatures and dehydrated
rations for dinner.
Skelton woke to overnight temperatures of minus 20C, with her stocking
containing just a piece of Christmas cake and a letter from her family
wishing her luck.
She was due to spend six hours on the snow training for her forthcoming
challenge, and rather than feasting on a turkey dinner, she dined on
dehydrated goulash.
"I had no idea I would miss my family this much on Christmas Day, I've been
going through our Christmas traditions in my head and it's pretty weird not
to be part of it," she said.
"This year is certainly going to be different, I'll be having dehydrated
goulash and some dried mango in a tent and will spend all day training.
Still, I can't complain - this is without doubt the most beautiful place
I've ever been. Happy Christmas!"
The Blue Peter action woman will travel for up to 14 hours a day when she
starts her journey 83 degrees south, battling against 80mph winds and
temperatures that plummet to as low as minus 50C.
Helen's Polar Challenge For Sport Relief will be shown in a special
nine-week series on Blue Peter from the end of January to March.
Christmas
Day
2011 - waveguide.co.uk
Click
here to comment on this story
The Queen's
Christmas Message
 The
Queen's Christmas message to the nation today will focus on the strength of
family, friends and the community working together.
The Christmas address is written by the Queen herself and
usually has a strong religious framework, reflecting current issues and
drawing on her own experiences over the past year. The speech is one of the
rare occasions when she does not turn to the Government for advice but is
able to voice her own views.
During the message, which was recorded on December 9, the Queen will say:
"Of course, family does not necessarily mean blood relatives but often a
description of a community, organisation or nation. The Commonwealth is a
family of 53 nations, all with a common bond, shared beliefs, mutual values
and goals."
In the broadcast, recorded in Buckingham Palace's 1844 room, the Queen is
wearing a pair of glasses, she wears a strawberry red dress by Angela Kelly
with her diamond and platinum Flame Lily brooch, which was a 21st birthday
present from the children of southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
At the start of the footage, the Queen can be seen meeting senior Sky News
staff who produced this year's Christmas message - a first for the
broadcaster.
As the short extract from the annual address draws to a close, the Band of
the Irish Guards are featured playing the carol O Little Town of Bethlehem
on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Then children from St Joseph's
Catholic Infants' School in Camberwell, south London, are seen performing a
scene from a nativity play.
The message will be transmitted on both television and radio today at 15.00
It will be available on the Royal Channel on the YouTube website and will
also be shown in Commonwealth countries.
Christmas
2011 - waveguide.co.uk
Click
here to comment on this story
Next
Previous
|
