Category Life As It Happens

Polar Cruising Adventure in Svalbard with Jett & Kathryn Britnell

Jett & Kathryn Britnell May 14, 2019August 6, 2021 Comments are off

Polar Quest ThirdAgeExpeditions.com 768x401 1

“Interested in stories about underwater photography and protection of our oceans’? What are you doing 14-24 August this year? I am so pleased to say that our friends across the sea, both fellows of the explorer’s club and much much more, are joining us on board the M/S Quest these dates! Come join Jett Britnell, Kathryn Britnell and PolarQuest for “Expedition Svalbard” to the realm of the Polar Bear, the haven for Walrus and the beautiful landscape of Svalbard!”

~ Marie Lannborn Barker, CEO, PolarQuest

Join us for a “Polar Cruising Adventure” aboard PolarQuest’s, M/S Quest, August 14 – 24, 2019. Kathryn and are special guests for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to one of the world’s most remote, northerly, wilderness realms! With ten nights on board the small expedition ship M/S Quest there will be ample time for grand shore-based nature excursions and wildlife encounters. In August the polar ice is slowly starting to loosen its frozen grip, which offers good opportunities to explore the seldom visited eastern parts of Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, which geographically, is closer to the North Pole than to Norway its nearest neighbour 1,000 km away. I am also aboard as a Special Lecturer during this polar voyage.

Life As It Happens

It’s Our 11th Wedding Anniversary!

Jett & Kathryn Britnell April 2, 2019April 30, 2019 Comments are off

“Blue skies of Hawaii smile. On this, our wedding day.” ~ Hawaiian Wedding Song.

Today, April 2nd, is our 11th wedding anniversary!

It was a stupendously gorgeous sunny day 11 years ago when Kathryn and I posed together for wedding pictures on Waimānalo Beach, with our toes in white sand framed by the scenically beautiful cerulean blue Pacific Ocean that stretches along Oahu’s windward coast. We created quite a stir with a few beachgoers that day; with you looking so breath-takingly beautiful in your white Fufu wedding dress, and me clearly trying to “punch above my weight” in a white tuxedo jacket and looking somewhat rakish as if I had just stepped out of an upscale nightclub and gambling den called, “Rick’s Café Américain”, in Casablanca during World War II. Truly, an unforgettable and absolutely perfect day this one turned out to be.

On this joyful occasion there are far too many eloquent things I could say… along with a never-ending river of words I could write. But I will cut to the chase and simply say this. You are both a good woman and a kind-hearted charitable soul who never ceases to inspire me with your unconditional love & sage wisdom. Thank you, for being all that you are… all that you aspire to be… and always… for choosing me to be your husband.

“Happy anniversary, mi amor precioso!”

Life As It Happens

The Holy Trifecta of Explorer Fellowships

Jett & Kathryn Britnell March 11, 2019April 8, 2019 Comments are off

Explorers Club Jett Britnell e1519164650490

“Her soul was too deep to explore by those who always swam in the shallow end.”

– A.J. Lawless.

A shout out this post for my wife, Kathryn Britnell, who in January was named a Fellow in the world-renowned and exclusive Explorers Club. Over the past 6 months, Kathryn has been elected a Fellow in three of the world’s most famous and prestigious exploration societies, The Explorers Club in New York City, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society in Ottawa, and the Royal Geographical Society in London. She has achieved what is known in explorer circles as being the “Holy Trifecta!”

A notable accomplishment for anyone to become part of a fraternity of explorers who claim such members past and present as Sir Ernest Shackleton, US president Theodore Roosevelt, Thor Heyerdahl, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, Robert E. Peary, Roald Amundson David Livingstone, Sir Richard Burton, Sir John Franklin, along with modern day explorers such as astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Chris Hadfield, Amos Nachoum , Susan R. Eaton, Jill Heinerth, George Kourounis, James Cameron, Dr. Syliva Earle and undersea explorer, Phil Nuytten to name just a few.

Life As It Happens

That Was Fun!

Jett & Kathryn Britnell January 26, 2019April 11, 2019 Comments are off

A huge shout out and thanks to all who came out for our presentation at Vancouver Diving Locker last night! After an exhausting few days leading up to the event it was gratifying to see such a large turn out. Some friends also surprised me by coming. Over the past days Kathryn had a last minute out of town business trip. As we could not be sure she would make it to the show in time, let alone at all, I had to write out her part of the presentation. As luck would have it, she arrived at the Diving Locker from the airport with luggage in tow just minutes before me. Some warm feedback has been coming through messages. It was heartwarming to receive the attached message from Jeff Talbot on Instagram stating his wife was so inspired she is going to get her diver certification! Thank you again for the invitation to present, Tess Hedderich! And thanks must also go out to Coleen Clancy of The Explorers Club for taking some pictures. All in all, an evening filled with so many good vibrations!

We received some heart-warming feedback from our recent evening presentation, “ A Life in the Depths” which we presented at Vancouver’s Diving Locker.

Life As It Happens

“A Life in the Depths!” Presentation

Jett & Kathryn Britnell December 21, 2018April 11, 2019 Comments are off

“Overture, curtain, lights. This is it, the night of nights. No more rehearsing and nursing a part. We know every part by heart.” ~ This Is It (Bugs Bunny, Overture).

Tess Hedderich over at Vancouver Diving Locker has invited Kathryn and I to give an evening presentation at the shop on Friday, January 25th, 2019. Actually, one of the first dive store presentations I ever made was at the Diving Locker way back in early 2008. Clearly, we’re being brought back by popular demand. And hey, what better way to start your weekend? Anyway, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll feel. Be there or be square. ?

Life As It Happens

Kathryn Britnell: Elected Fellow to Royal Canadian Geographical Society

Jett & Kathryn Britnell November 2, 2018April 8, 2019 Comments are off

Nothing is given. Eveyrthing is earned.

Yesterday, Kathryn, was inducted into the College of Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Fellowship in the RCGS College of Fellows has, since its inception in 1929, represented the very best of Canada, including distinguished individuals from many different fields, united in their commitment to the Society’s mission to celebrate the country, its geography and peoples. All RCGS Fellows are considered to be exceptional talents and leaders in their respective fields and their ranks include many of Canada’s most intrepid explorers, geographers, astronauts, actors, and even some former Prime Ministers. Fellows are elected for life and are entitled to use post-nominal letters FRCGS (Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society) after their surname. There are only about 1,000, or so, RCGS Fellows in this magnificent nation of just over 36.5 million people.

Life As It Happens

Adams River Salmon Expedition

Jett & Kathryn Britnell October 23, 2018April 11, 2019 Comments are off

Adams River Salmon Expedition

It’s been a successful few days for us here at Adams River. I feel, Kathryn deserves a shout-out of sorts for all her efforts over the past couple of days. From hauling snorkeling and camera gear down a steep forest canyon to the river, jumping in for several hours to photograph salmon, then hauling everything back uphill… only this time it feels so much heavier than when you arrived because everything is now wet. The next day carefully sliding down a vertical river bank in her drysuit, and then fording across the shallowest point in the stream to reach a gravel island, but given her shorter stature she was already thigh deep in a stiff forceful current where it took everything she had not to get knocked over (Hell, it was no cake walk for me either). Then she goes splashing around in cold river water pursuing sockeye salmon.

Indeed, the water feels colder with each passing hour. Then at the end of the day, reversing course only to feel like the stream has picked up speed since the morning crossing… and then one must carefully climb back up that vertical river bank which provides very little firm footing. Of course, there is also the long walk back to the parking lot…. carrying everything you brought with you to the river. Never a complaint, never a “I can’t do this,” never not carrying her own weight. She absolutely loved every minute of it which says a lot for someone who describes herself as being a girly girl. The force is strong with this one.

Life As It Happens Exploration

Congratulations Kathryn!

Jett & Kathryn Britnell July 20, 2018April 10, 2019 Comments are off

Kathryn Britnell is an RGS Fellow

So very proud and happy for my wife, Kathryn, as she received confirmation today that she has been named a Fellow of London’s prestigious Royal Geographical Society (RGS) with the Institute of British Geographers. Fellowship is reserved for those who can demonstrate their academic publications in the field of geography and closely related subjects such as climate change. Fellows in the Royal Geographical Society may use the post-nominal designation FRGS after their names.

UK’s Learned Society and Professional Body for Geography

Founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences, the Royal Geographical Society is the UK’s learned society and professional body for geography. The RGS has a storied history of supporting many famous British explorers and expeditions, including those of, Sir Charles Darwin, legendary African explorer Dr. David Livingstone, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Sir Robert Scott, Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, and mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary to name a few. Among many other notable explorers and geographers, current fellows also include Michael Palin who was the president of the RGS from 2009 to 2012. Since 1912, the RGS and historical archives have been headquartered at Lowther Lodge, a Victorian Queen Anne style house built from 1872 and 1875 that faces Hyde Park in South Kensington, London, England.

Life As It Happens

Explore the Sights and Tastes of Canada!

Jett & Kathryn Britnell April 19, 2018April 25, 2019 Comments are off

Explore the Sights and Tastes of Canada

The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), along with their Fellows who reside in British Columbia, are presenting a unique event in Vancouver on Tuesday, May 15th. Come explore the Sights and Tastes of Canada and meet and chat with RCGS Fellows, partners, friends, and some of Canada’s greatest explorers at Vancouver’s historic Terminal City Club. The evening includes a cocktail reception, an exquisite three-course meal highlighting seasonal Canadian cuisine, silent auction and a door prize. Attendees will also be entertained by new RCGS Explorer-in-Residence, Adam Shoalts, who will recount his 2017 solo trek across Canada’s Arctic.

Limited Seating Available

Limited seating available. For more information and tickets, follow the web link below. RCGS.ORG/VANCOUVERGALA

About The Royal Canadian Geographical Society

The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is dedicated to promoting and enhancing public awareness for Canadian geography, and to strengthening the bond between Canadians and their diverse and vast geographical heritage.

Life As It Happens

Philippines Pearl Market

Jett & Kathryn Britnell December 8, 2017April 11, 2019 Comments are off

“Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow; he who would search for pearls must dive below.”

John Dryden (1631–1700) All for Love. Prologue

Well, there’s truly no need to dive to great depths anymore because you can shop till ya drop and find pearls galore at the famed Philippines Pearl Market located at the Greenhills Mall in Manila. Definitely a “must see” when in the Philippines. If you dare to take your spouse, or significant other, be sure to bring a pocketful of pesos.