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Best friends with 32-year age gap go on thrill-seeking adventure to Antarctica

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A unique friendship has seen two budding thrill-seekers, aged 40 and 72, embark across Antarctica on the trip of a lifetime.

Meet Michael Steel, 40, and Pauline Bisson, 72, who are two unlikely best friends on a mission to raise awareness for the devastating effects climate change is having on our planet.

Pauline, who is “addicted” to adrenaline-pumping adventures, has previously embarked on Mount Kilimanjaro, completed the Everest Base Camp challenge and a parachute jump in a bid to feed her daredevil side.

Now she, along with Michael, both from Hampshire, have undertaken a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to discover Antarctica.

For Pauline, who is a mum-of-six and a great-grandmother-of-one, this adventure is her most thrill-seeking to date – including a Polar Plunge amongst the ice caps in minus one-degree temperature.

“I jumped and went right under, I drank half of the sea, it tasted salty and it was freezing,” Pauline said.

“I’m terrified of water, so I wasn’t going to do the Polar Plunge – I didn’t even take a bathing costume.

“It was absolutely amazing.”

The pair started their trip in March 2023 and set off from Punta Arenas, Chile, before flying across the Southern Ocean to Antarctica.

Guided by a team of polar experts, marine biologists, and historians, they sailed the icy waters to the most spectacular sights, including penguins and falling glaciers.

While in awe, there was a dark meaning behind the land falling into disarray, which could lead to issues within our ecosystem – and the animals.

Michael said: “Much of the marine life feeds on krill, which live under the ice and if there’s little-to-no ice, they can’t fill up.

“This impacts the rest of the ecosystem and there’s a lot of concern that marine animals will starve.

“Adélie, Emperor and Chinstrap penguins are the most at risk of these effects of climate change, as the ice is their breeding and resting ground.

“The mission for me was to learn about the impact of [this issue] and we got a sense of how special this continent is.”

Jean Pennycook, the ornithologist, says in order to help minimise the damage to our ecosystem, we all need to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Other aspects of their trip included seeing glacial volcanoes, humpback whales and scenic landscapes of the mountains.

But one of their most surreal moments included a trip to Deception Island.

While there, they sailed past Neptune’s Bellow, a narrow entrance to the active volcano, and discovered the remains of a whaling station forgotten in time.

Michael, who is managing director of national training provider Kiwi Education, said: “It’s like going to a different planet, a completely surreal place.

“The geology expert told us that when the first explorers visited 150 years ago, they saw what we saw, so you’re in a time capsule.

“I wondered what the impact of this trip would be on me, but the biggest moment was looking at the untouched, pristine landscape and realising it’s all in the firing line.”

For Pauline, this trip helped her to learn more about climate change and the issues it presents.

The inseparable duo met back in 2004 at their previous job, where they initially didn’t get on very well.

But then, during a trip to the aforementioned Mount Kilimanjaro in 2008, they bonded over their passion for adventure.

Pauline, who used to be a “woman of luxury,” has now switched up her lifestyle for a more natural approach.

She said: “I never thought I’d do challenges like I have, I was a person of luxury, but I was feeling sorry for myself after my husband left me when I was 51.

“A friend suggested I do a 100km trek across the Great Wall of China and it all started there.

“When I was married, I was used to luxury hotels and flying business class – but now I sleep on rocks and I couldn’t be happier.

“Michael and I’s friendship means everything to me and I certainly wouldn’t have done as many challenges without him.

“He’s made me more adventurous and our relationship is so unique because of our age gap.

“He brings me back down to earth and makes me realise not everything is from the 60s or 70s.

“I never think there’s ‘anything next’ and I say: ‘I’m too old now” – but then a new challenge crops up and I sign up because my mouth moves before I speak.

“I don’t think age matters, it’s about your mindset.

“My children know I’m mad, but I’d rather be mad and happy, than sad and sane.”

Michael added: “We’re an unlikely pairing, but sometimes those are the best ones.

“She drives me mad at times, but I admire her tenacity and determination.

“It’s a funny love-hate relationship and it’s one that has stood the test of time – it’s the best kind of friendship.”

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