With an optimistic 8.00am call for a 10.00 am departure we finally left Longyearbyen at 12.30, a motley collection of skidoo novices wrapped up like kippers, with the only clue to the occupants identity being each bundles eyes. This was the first time I've had an ice-cream headache without having the pleasure of scoffing the said cream. The scenery made up for the disappointing lack of rocky road.

By the time I got to the ship everything that had been previously been pliable was now stiff as a board, and just about everything was so cold to touch I felt little electric tingles on my finger tips when I touch anything.

If anyone from Class RL at Brookfield school are logging on, “Hi”- drop me a line with any questions. “Hello Natasha, XXXX”

I saw the Northern Lights last night, I stood out on deck filming for an hour, trying hard to avoid frost bight, which is a very real danger here especially as I'm working with cameras that are all metal, at - 20 the metal sucks all the heat from my fingers in seconds.

It's now Tuesday morning and a fabulous day, I'm now going to spend a long half hour getting dressed, 5 pairs of trousers and 4 shirt layers, a down jacket topped off by a all in one thermal suit is like wrestling myself into a sofa. I've just looked at the temperature read-out and it's a balmy (barmy) -28ºC.

Well off to work.

Nick Edwards