Countdown

Well, the big red Module was moved today, and it all went without a hitch according to the conversations overheard on the radio. We got the word that it was about to pulled into position so both myself and Ant the chef I am working with today, grabbed our cameras and ran outside to watch. We stayed there for a while but had to get back into the kitchen to finish off morning Smoko. We could see the Challengers and John deers towing the Module from the kitchen window as we worked. It was very impressive.

What was also impressive was the the fact that we could see all the other modules 16 km away in a line and upside down. this was due to the day being so clear that the modules had been elevated high in the air as a mirage and was suspended upside down as a mirror image. We often see this with the ice cliffs on the coast, but to actually see the modules was a real treat.

While the Modules were being moved and we were busy getting lunch ready, Matt the base commander came into the kitchen to tell us that the Shackleton Ship Had come into Creek 3 and was tying up a few days early.

This means that we may be leaving early and so need to start preparing to leave.

So the format now will be: Folk night this Friday, Saturday becomes our Sunday with everyone off, Sunday will be a working day as the first flight leaves Halley, the Drewry needs to be cleaned and locked down, and who knows when we are to board the Shack to leave. Word on the street is that it will be early, we certainly need to be packed and ready to go at a moments notice.... Watch this space anything can happen ....

A couple of things that have happened in the last few of days.

One was the Halley Marathon, which was held to raise money for charity. This was a very successful event with a lot of the guys on base taking part. We had great weather temperatures were around -7 degrees, the sun was shining and the track had been well groomed and had chilled nicely during the night making conditions favourable for the runners.

Here are a few pics of the day, taken by Chris Walton the Wintering chef, who went round the course on skis in the opposite direction to get his pictures. I was working, as all the other chefs were either running or marshals for the event.

I think I should get a medal for feeding the masses on this day.

 The start of the Marathon

 Limbering up

 Not a bad start to a race

 Signing in and all in good spirits

Mark and Simon arriving on skis ready to ski the course

 Matt our Base Commander and a seasoned marathon runner on Ice and rough terrain

A real Antarctic Hero

 And their off

 A good start by all

 Oozing confidence and still in a pack

 It's not long before Matt pulls away from the rest of the field

 On his heels is Carl the Chippie

 Ant Last seasons wintering Chef looking Comfortable

At the moment.

 Pack getting thinner

 We wanna be together..

 Ian Having fun.. This guy is doing the Mongol Rally, with 3 other guys from Halley. They call themselves Halley's Comics, and are driving from England to Mongolia for Charity

 in July 2011

 Mappo the Wintering Base Commander

 Duncan Enjoying his Ski-ing

 Matt well ahead now and looking very relaxed

 Another action shot of our Base Commander passing the modules in the background

 John and Craig with their stall set out to give much needed water to the runners.

 From left to right, Andy (meteorologist) Jenny (Wintering Doc), Richard (Meteorologist)

 Frivolities along the way with Andy starting to feel the burn

John giving Andy refreshment and encouragement 

 The long distant runners, in the distance.

Shaggy, Halley VI chef, with his trainer on a ski-doo.

All but one, Completed the full 8 and a half laps of the perimeter, but all were walking like penguins the following morning and most are still broken even now. 

Needless to say Matt the base commander finished first and did it in under 3.5 hours, beating his Falklands Marathon record.

The other thing to take place was our summer team photo, with all on base being in the picture.

Her we are all pulling the red module. It's easy to spot me, I'm 5th line from the left, 5th line from the right and 5th man down the line....

We also took a separate picture of the summer team that lived in the Drewry. 

Inset are the 2  RAF  guys thet worked on our communications for a couple of months. Left to right, Warren and Paddy.

So that was the week that was, all systems are now go to get us ready to leave. I will try and update this blog before i go with a little more info. Until then I have to get back to doing the Dinner, we have Roast Lamb tonight... Catch you all later....