Author Archives: Ilse Kiessling

Here we are, 151 days on Maatsuyker. Our remaining time here is alarmingly short. Our minds are turning to what lies ahead, what we leave behind for those who follow us, and what we have remaining in the way of supplies. Planning to be self-sufficient for at least half a year took months of carefulContinue reading “Dining in”

Maatsuyker’s lighthouse has bewitched many a soul since it was constructed in 1891. Born from demands for a “good light” to warn mariners of the great risks along Tasmania’s southwest corner, she was built as the most powerful beacon on the Tasmanian coast at the time. Maatsuyker Island was elected as the site for suchContinue reading “Beguiled by Jezebel”

“The minutes rushed past, without compassion for my enthusiasm.” (Nicola Lecca, Ritratto notturno). How can it be more than a month since we last wrote…? Time on this little island is different. Every day is exactly the same. Every morning the alarm rings at 5:30am. We put on almost exactly the same clothes as weContinue reading “Tempus fugit”

“A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves” (Proust) And “Every weather is enjoyable if your feelings are delightful” (Ehsan Sehgal) Weather is everything on Maatsuyker. Weather determined when we got here. It drives us out of bed at 5:30am every morning to document it. It influences what we eat,Continue reading “99 codes for weather.”

The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it (Moliere). We arrived on Maatsuyker Island on a champagne-clear morning. The hour-long flight in our crimson-shiny helicopter over Tasmania’s South-west World Heritage Area and southern seas was sublimely smooth. Landing on Maatsuyker’s tiny helipad of green, green grass amongst the tea-tree happened all too soon.Continue reading “Getting here.”