An interesting story. The hut, built in 1954, had been slept in by Sir Edmund Hillary and had previouslyhoused United States and New Zealand scientists at McMurdo Sound. It was acquired two years ago by local man and internationally renowned Antarctic historian Dr David Harrowfield, who said he was "thrilled" a permanent home had been found for the hut on the Oamaru waterfront.
Oamaru has links with the Antarctic history too....In the early hours of 10 February 1913 the Oamaru Harbour Board's night watchman, Neil McKinnon, was expecting the arrival of the Ngatoro. Instead another ship arrived and ignored his signals to identify itself. Eventually two men were rowed ashore but they refused to provide any information on why they were there and asked to speak to an official. McKinnon escorted the two men to his hut and telephoned the harbourmaster, Captain James Ramsey.
News of Scott's death
The two men were Dr Edward Atkinson and Lieutenant Harry Pennell from Scott's Terra Nova. They were sent ashore at Oamaru to send a coded message to the expedition's New Zealand agent, Joseph Kinsey, informing him that Scott and his polar party had perished in the Antarctic.
McKinnon directed the men to Ramsey's house on Wharfe Street, as the harbourmaster made his way down Arun Street to meet them. The men identified themselves to Ramsey and the port's medical officer, Dr Alexander Douglas, but apparently swore the pair to secrecy. They stayed at Ramsey's house until daylight, when the coded message was sent from the Post Office to Kinsey. The men took the next train to Christchurch to meet the Terra Nova in Lyttelton
Here the hut is installed underneath the steep cliffs of Cape Wanbrow in Oamaru.
Three good things;
1. Out with Ruby and cycled around the harbour observing many people eating ice creams and swinging their legs on the sea wall.
2.Horrified to see a small rabbit chewing our lawn right outside my window but got a good photo.
3. Great detective story on TV set in the Shetlands.
Well, it doesn't look all that pretty on the outside, but I'm sure it keeps you nice and warm on the inside! Interesting history too! Looking forward to seeing the picture of the rabbit.
Great name for your bike :)