Preparing to Leave

The time has finally arrived where i have to start thinking about my packing properly. up to now it has only been half hearted. The Shack has been tied up at creek 3 for last few days taking on all our waste that has to leave Antarctica. While the vehicle ops have been driving backwards and forwards pulling laden sledges, and the Mechanics have been busy winterising all the vehicles, my last few days have been spent bouncing from one kitchen to another.

It has been a very eventful week, what with one thing and another. Sunday saw the first flight out, which meant 12 less mouths to feed. Monday and Tuesday was supposed to be a module move, but as the clock was ticking both modules were pulled out on the Monday and linked, which meant even less mouths to feed as all the workers were on the new site. Tuesday I was in the Laws Kitchen with Ant and had a few more people to feed as we had a Basler plane arrive, ready to take the second wave of workers who were leaving.

Wednesday  I was in the Drewry and the dinner was to be the last meal of the season, it was also the day the Plane left with a few more guys. So I made one more batch of bread, two more trays of shortbread and ended the day with a curry night for everyone. That evening Richard, the Meteorologist gave a power point presentation in the bar on the Ozone Hole and the science behind it, which was very Interesting. I then said my goodbyes and swapped details with the out going team members and went to bed. Their flight was at 2.30 am.

   

The Drewry Kitchen clean down 

Once cleaned it has to be battened down ready for being towed

to Halley VI for next season

Thursday Was a day of cleaning and the Drewry had to be scrubbed out and locked down, so myself and Pat had the great task of emptying all fridges and freezers and taking the contents back over to the laws, then taking all equipment apart and giving it a good clean. The evening was spent on a guided tour of Halley VI and a walk through of all modules now connected. This was amazing and will be great for the science.

 Carl driving us out to Halley VI in the snow cat

Hally V as we leave, the sun is setting and the night is starting to appear.

As we approach Halley VI the moon is over the modules.

 All modules in a line, a great sight with the sun setting in the background

 Side on view

Carl taking a photo, behind him is the Hinge zone, where the sea Ice is attached to the Ice shelf.

 Carl standing on the link bridge, connecting the Red module to the Blue

 Karl Tuplin, the project Manager (In yellow) taking the tour

The link bridge

View from the stairway of the red module, looking into the accommodation section

Standing in the Red module looking out the window

Great views

In the Gym with a domed window so you can see the night sky and the aurora taking place.

 The New Base Camp from the air

 All 8 modules

finishing touches to the line.

All photos from the air were taken from a Twin otter.

 After the tour we got back into the snow cat and headed back to Halley V. We had 9 people in the back while Carl drove I navigated in the front seat. Once back on base carl had to fill the Cat with fuel before returning it to the garage

Nearly full, this was at midnight and you can now see the night setting in.

 Once in the Garage we find Steve hard at work with Brett servicing another Sno-cat

Steve is on the night shift and had not been long at work, when he got a call to say that a field Ski-doo had broken down. This was one that Ant the chef was driving to visit Halley VI. As if Steve didn't have enough work to do, he now has to replace the engine in the Ski-doo. This is on top of all the servicing, repairing a Bulldozer and a John Deer that has broken and get all machines winterised before he can leave. This is the reason for him being on nights. He will actually be the last of the summer team to leave. Which means he will have to turn the lights off and lock up.
Steve is going out on the JCR Ship which is a few days after the Shack...

Not long to wait now Jane, He'll be home soon.

This is the Shackleton and the JCR at creek 3 together last year.

 Another amazing sight was to see the Skiway which had 3 basler planes on it. These planes had been coming in and taking off over the last couple of days, one took our guys away and returned the other two are doing Glacier science, they all stop over to refuel and for the crew to get food and a bed for the night, It was quite a hive of activity, and the pilots are really interesting to talk to.

Steve Kindly lent his field Ski-doo to Carl and myself to wizz down to the Skiway to have a look at them before they departed, so with camera ready and holding on tight, off we went, and boy is that ski-doo fast......It was Freezing, but well worth the visit.

3 Baslers all together a very impressive sight on the Ice Runway

 A great looking plane.. this one is for my mate Kev Pearson back home who was a chef in the RAF and  the DC3 is his favourite plane..

Another good shot.

Friday, and I have the morning off, I start work at 3pm. Both myself and pat will be doing the last Fish supper In the Laws, while Ant and Chris are both going down to the Shack with the incoming winterers for a night on board, Invited by the Captain for a meal before they start their winter season.

When they come back to base tomorrow morning (Saturday) We will be taken with our belongings to the ship ready to start the Journey home.

I am now packed fully, and waiting for the off, just 35 minutes before i start work for the last time here at Halley. My appraisal went well and i feel quietly confident that I will be back for another season, fingers crossed.
I will update on the Journey home and my time on the Shackleton, that is if i am not too seasick through Drakes Passage.

See you all soon.