Christmas On Ice

The time is 9.30pm on Christmas day, I have just finished the evening shift having fed 20 people in the Drewery.

I usually have 30 to feed but today the shackleton came in and it was all hands on deck. It was supposed to have arrived on the 21st but it got stuck in pack Ice, so everyone involved was on standby, no one really knew when the supplies would actually arrive. From a chefs perspective it did not really affect us much, we still had mouths to feed, the only difference would be that a few of the workforce would be going onto nights which meant having dinners ready for them at breakfast. It is very bizarre as there is no real night, what, with a 24 hour daylight. Everybody does a 12 hour shift which starts at 7.30 the only difference being AM or PM. 

Now yesterday, 24th Dec Christmas eve we did every one their christmas dinner. So the room was decorated by Tony, who Had made paper chains out of girlie magazines, which went down a storm with the guys while the chefs had managed to save a few breasts of turkey for the event, along with sprouts, parsnips, carrots (all frozen) all the trimmings and even xmas pud with brandy sauce. We had wine on the tables and crackers and the whole evening was a total success. It was a good party atmosphere, and when the meal was over we went over to the Laws building where they had done the same christmas meal, and we met in the bar for a couple more drinks. Most of the conversations that evening was about the Ship. I left and went to bed at approx 11.30pm.

In the morning I had a little bit of a lie in, when i got down to the kitchen i had been told the supply ship had moored onto the Ice shelf and everyone was busy doing what they should be doing, apparently like clockwork. Although I did wonder as to what state some of the guys were in. So within the last few hours there have been John Deer tractors, running backwards and forwards to the coast pulling laden sledges, Challengers pulling containers, skidoos whizzing about and the comms guys busy communicating between the Ship and the vehicles on the ice. The dinner of Lamb wellington, Dauphinoise potatoes and mixed veg, followed by a rhubarb crumble and Trifle went down well with everyone this evening. Relief is still ongoing and will be a round the clock operation until the ship leaves. It will take about 10 days to unload her. The fuel she is carrying for Halley V and VI will take 5 days to offload as there is approx 3,000 Drums

. 

So while work goes on I am off to bed.  I have a lie in on a Sunday as we start at 10am due the fact there is no smoko to produce. I reflect on the day and i look back at all the Christmases i have worked over the years, and i have to say that being at a research centre at the end of the planet, on Antarctica with 24 hour daylight certainly takes some beating........

The Halley Signpost

The Laws Building with the Garage in the background, and a few of the machines used in the relief operation, with some of the containers in the background.

And finally there is always time for a cup of tea on the verandah.

I still can't believe it's christmas. I did have a white one though.

I will post more about the Relief later in the week when i have had the opportunity to get down to the coast and see the Ship moored. watch this space..