Archivist Note: What follows are the first recovered legible journal entries from Uncle Bertie’s expedition to Tuntuket Island.
Archive Reference: BTS-TUN-JRN-001
What a glorious experience to be onboard the Happy Bird, a small seaplane adorned with photos and memoirs of its previous passengers.
George, the pilot of this small but mighty beast is a pleasant and well travelled man.
Long scruffy hair and an even longer beard. Every wrinkle on his face a mark of experience, a reminder of his well-lived life.
He has told me only but a few of his many adventures since our time together on my latest exploration; four weeks (so far) of hopping between the islands of Madguer, in the Bermond Sea.
We will shortly be arriving at the last island I will explore on this trip: Tuntuket, one of the smallest, yet the most luscious, and home to the most elusive mysteries.
I am excited by the curiosity that surrounds this particular island, and thrilled by the opportunity to experience what it may reveal to me.
As we make our final approach, the turbulence is quite significant.
Strange, as the air was calm and there was no warning of any storm surrounding us.
Nevertheless, I take a moment to compose myself and remain in good spirits, hoping we will make a safe landing and arrive at base camp in one piece.
Archive Reference: BTS-TUN-PHO-002
Recovered photograph of George
Archive Reference: BTS-TUN-PHO-002
Recovered aerial photograph of the Islands of Madguer
Archive Reference: BTS-TUN-PHO-003
Recovered photograph of the Happy Bird seaplane
Archive Reference: BTS-TUN-JRN-002
George, the ever-so-magnificent pilot, lands the Happy Bird like a butterfly settling on a soft petal.
So delicate, so graceful, that the slight worries of the previous moments dissipate like a clearing fog over a meadow.
Tonight at base camp, the air is cool and relaxing; the fire warm and welcoming.
I will spend the night here, and tomorrow I will leave George and the base camp behind while I explore the island.
I plan to be out for three nights, in the solace of my own company and that of what the island has to offer me.
I have heard the stories of this island, but now it is my chance to discover whether they are myth; a fable passed through friends, families, and generations.
Firstly, I’ll start out along the coastline, and at approximately eight kilometers I will be on the lookout for what has been described as the Lonely Tree; a tree that stands out from the rest on the beach, used as a marker to the pathway through the thicket, inland towards the cave entrance.
It is here where I am hoping to uncover the island’s true beauty, and experience the mysteries for myself.
Once I navigate through the caves to the other side of the island it’s a long hike back over the mountains, back through the thicket and back towards base camp; where hopefully George will be waiting for me.
For now, it’s time to put my head down to rest, so I say goodnight to George and head to my tent.
A journey awaits for which I need a clear and rested mind, a body full of strength and a heart full of courage and determination.
Archivist Note: Additional entries from Uncle Bertie’s journals have since been recovered and are currently undergoing cataloguing and transcription. They will be added to the archive once the preservation process is complete.
Location: Tuntuket Island – Madguer – Bermond Sea
Date: Unknown
Documented by: Bertram Thomason Stone
Curated by: The Archivist
The adventures of uncle bertie 
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