Shavers of Ancaster

We received correspondence (see below) from Eleanor Burke of Collingwood, ON in November of 2010. Eleanor tells us of a fascinating trip she took with the National Geographic in February 2010 to the Antarctic. Eleanor descends from William’s Margaret. Her grandmother Louise Bedell, and great aunt and uncle, Edward and Daisey Lyons attended the first reunion in 1937. Her great grand parents James and Margaret English lived in a big stone farmhouse which still stands in the vicinity of Hamilton Mountain near Highway 403. The farmhouse of her great uncle William ‘Billy’ English is also still there further to the west of 403 going into Ancaster. The house in Ancaster of her Uncle Eddie and Aunt Daisey Lyons is also still there. Eleanor has many happy childhood memories of visits there.

Antarctica Adventure 2010

I finally did it! Now I’ve got bragging rights! On February 14, 2010 the National Geographic ‘Explorer’, our sturdy expeditionary ship, slipped through the morning mist into Marguerite Bay. What was so special about this? We sat at 68 °S - below the Antarctic Circle! We eagerly piled into zodiacs and landed ashore among a bewildered colony of Adelie penguins – our resident welcoming committee. As I stepped on to the rocky beach I achieved an elusive goal... I had then set foot on all seven continents!

We slowly made our way north up the spectacular Antarctic peninsula – a photographer’s paradise teeming with life – penguins, seals, and sea-birds in many thousands and varieties, exciting whale sightings from great blues to rare dolphins and sharp-peaked snow-capped mountains with huge glaciers calving hundreds of dazzling bergs and flows.

Several times conditions were good to explore along the shore in our 2-person kayaks as well as many daily zodiac trips. Curious penguins, seals, and big albatross swam over to visit. The wildlife in Antarctica is not afraid. We were very careful to be respectful of life and ecologically responsible when hiking ashore or exploring on the water.

The National Geographic staff on board – naturalists, scientists, photographers and divers, were a dedicated, unending source of information and guidance. My 3-week adventure took me from Ushuaia, Argentina to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, each spectacularly unique. I’ll be raving about that fantastic experience for a long time!

The Antarctic environment includes all the area south of the Antarctic Convergence

February, 2010, South Georgia, Antarctica. Breeding Colony, 100,000 breeding penguins! Brown fuzzies are half-grown babies who will shed soon.

February 24, 2010. Fortuna Bay and Stropmness Harbour. South Georgia, Antarctica. Hike inland to Shackleton Falls. National Geographic “Explorer” Expedition. Eleanor is in the front row, sitting second from left.