Steve Bull of Bull Precision Expeditions called to tell me that I had been short-listed for the Antarctic expedition. I put the phone down in a state of astonishment and excitement. The letter that arrived a couple of days later got the blood racing too as it suddenly became a real possibility that I might get the chance to take part. Then the grim need to put together a proper case for the science project for the formal presentation hit home. There is a week following the end of term but it is full of a planned holiday with the children and the usual round of visits across a large family! Somehow I have to try to be well-prepared and rested.