Finally

On the 9th of March we touched down at Brize Norton, having had an 18 hour journey back, courtesy of the Minestry Of Defence. The journey from leaving Halley base camp to the UK was actually 11 days and another great experience in itself.

This was my route home:

On 26th February, with everything packed and all jobs completed we gathered outside the Drewry with our luggage and waited for the sledge that was our transport to creek 3, where the Shack was waiting.

Karl Tuplin the project manager, came to wave us off as he was part of the team leaving a week later on the JCR

All kit bags and personal luggage loaded on the sledge, just time to say our last goodbyes and board the sledges.

Richard being Richard decides to travel as though we were in Spain..

But not for long. As it is coming into the Antarctic winter, the temperature was about -25 degrees.

Then it's wrap up warm, head down and off we go.

Not only was it cold on the 12 km journey to the coast but we were on a sledge that had been used for transporting Avter (aviation fuel) which had penetrated my suit and my rucksack, and I smelt like i had bathed in the stuff.

Once at the sea Ice we had to wait for the captains permission to come aboard, and could only go in groups of 5 as that was all the life jackets they had. While we were waiting patiently we were all gradually freezing to death.

 There were a few penguins there to give us a good send off

I wanted to bring this one home with me..

Once on board we get allocated our cabins and are free to wander where we want.

From the deck the views of the Ice are very different with the penguins still very inquisitive.

I noticed that the actual sea Ice that the Shack was moored to was dissappearing, and most of it had broken off. It was very different from a few weeks earlier when we were there to see the penguins.

The Shackleton was actually tied at the bottom of the ramp, and the ship itself was the only thing holding the sea Ice in.  We were waiting for the last lot of the Morrisons crew to board at 4.00 pm, before we could set sail. The team left behind were due to leave on the JCR a week later and were hoping the sea Ice would still be there in order for her to dock. If not, they would have to find an alternative creek.

Which is what will have to be done for next season as this creek will not be there.

When all are on board, a small team get put onto the Ice to release the dead man anchorage. This is a large trench dug into the Ice and a railway sleeper dropped crossways into it, in order for the ship to tie onto. Crushed Ice mixed with water becomes Antarctic concrete and sets rock hard in minutes.

Once the ropes are free they are winched aboard and the team jump onto the cage and are themselves winched aboard.

 As the Shack pulls away from the Ice edge the penguins follow.

Great dive......Awesome!

And as we set sail, I can't wait for the sights that i am about to witness.

On deck waiting for something spectacular. We have 10 days at sea before we hit the Falklands, so plenty of time for things to occur.

The views started to get stunning, and we didn't have to wait long for something spectacular to happen.

And here it is....Lenny the mad Welshman on deck in -20 degrees and falling. Note the Ugg boots...lol.

Still on deck without his shirt, a real Antarctic HERO!

No one else was brave enough. Lenny has been working on the Ice a few years now and is very much acclimatised.

Still working our way along the Brunt Ice Shelf, in the Weddle Sea.

Nearly a day out and the weather is changing, the Ice is still spectacular.

A snow Petrel flies over us towards the Ice cliffs.

Then out of the blue, much to my delight, Orcas (Killer Wales) appeared. Magnificent creatures.

 Then we started to pass Gigantic Iceburgs.

Of all shapes and sizes.

Some in the distance.

Some really close.

Some turned upside down.

Some flat.

The Journey so far had been great with the seas being quite calm. Here we were about 3 days into the trip and still in the Weddle sea. We were told it could get rough towards Drakes Passage. Something to look forward to.

This is my cabin, my bunk is top left, I shared with 2 BAS guys and a Scientist, who was tagging Weddle seals and collecting data.

Me on the Aft deck, enjoying the cruise.

It wasn't all play though, Patrick and myself worked alternate days in the Galley from 9 till 12 to prepare a salad bar and platters of meat and fish for lunch. This would take the pressure off Dan the Chef.
the picture shows the Galley.

Another view of the Galley.

The dining room on board the Shack

This was the smoking room on board with Neil, Richard and Al enjoying a cigarette.
The room was called "Cough Inn"

Here the lads are relaxing in one of the rest rooms on board.

As we approach the edge of Drakes Passage the sea starts to get a little more choppy. There are one or two on board that miss a few meals.

John Blower on deck getting some fresh air.

An Albetross soaring over the waves, very majestic.

As we get closer to land the sun actually sets and we get to see the night for the first time in 4 months.

Every one comes on deck to watch the night fall and stars appear.

At last we dock at Mare Harbour in the Falklands on 6th March ahead of schedule.

We couldn't dock at port Stanley as there was a Cruise ship in so Mare harbour was the next best thing. We tied up alongside HMS Scott. It was good to get ashore.

As we had docked in a place with nothing around us, we caught a bus to the Military base where we tried to buy a bar of chocolate and a soft drink, only to be asked for our Military ID, of which we didn't have. We did find a vending machine though and i enjoyed a can of lilt and a packet of liquorice allsorts.
Aaarrh! the simple things in life..

 We went back to the ship for the afternoon and stayed there for the rest of sunday, deciding to hire a mini bus on Monday to take us into Stanley. The rest of the day was spent wandering around the Ship poking our noses into places where they are not really meant to be. This is a picture of the Bridge.

The thingymabobby for navigating, i think??

 I dont know what they do here, but it looks impressive.

I plotted their course back to the UK!!!
I don't think they'll get there..

View from the bridge looking at HMS Scott.

The Captains desk.

View of the Aft end from the bridge.

I do know that this is the driving seat.

The next day we ventured into Port Stanley, actually driving on Tarmac flanked by green scenery, although a lot of the green space was littered with land mines.

It was a lovely day and perfect for walking along the sea front, this was at the pier while we waited for things to open. It was 9.00am and nothing seemed to be happening.

A boat sneaks out from it's moorings towards a wreck in the background.

The waters were so calm and we were greeted by a couple of dolphins, although they always dissappeared when the cameras came out.

Paddy, Matt and Rich walking along the pier.

View from the pier looking down the main street.

A row of houses on the main street.

The Church with an arch next to it made from whale bones.

A street in Stanley.

A house overlooking the sea.

A memorial commemorating the Falklands War.

Nige, Mark, and Mark walking to the museum.

An old Shipwreck from the 18 hundreds lies just off the museum.

In the museum is the original hut used by BAS in the Antarctic to house 4 explorers this was from the 50s.

Daz looking at the old whaling equipment

Thge guns used during the Falklands War.

A dug out in the museum, which is a replica of the ones dug by the Argies.

Loads of Krill lying along the sea shore as we walked to the restaurant for a meal before heading back to the ship for the night. We had a lovely meal and a good night was had by all, we headed back to the ship for our last night on board. It was to be an early start in the morning as we had to be at the airport by 6.30am.

I was up and getting bags together at 5.30am. With bed stripped, cupboards emptied and shelves cleared I made my way with personal baggage to the gang plank where we had to muster to wait for the coach to pick us up.  With bags now on the quayside there was just time for some breakfast before setting off.

We said our goodbyes to the crew of the shack and the remaining guys making their own way back home, and off we went on the final leg of our journey.


Once at the airport, we weighed in our bags and went through check in. With it being Military, no photos were allowed. We got through into the holding lounge and waited a couple of hours for the call to say we could board.

 Once on board and everyone seated we were eventually on our way. The plane was comfortable, we had stewardess service, video screens in every seat, the food was good and we all had plenty of space, which was very welcome as it was to be an 18 hour flight.
It was actually better than the comercial airlines.

Just taking off, weather was great for flying.

Views of the Falklands from the air.

Green, mountainous with nothing there.

Quite baron really.

It was lovely looking down on the Islands from a height.

Port stanley to the right of picture

We flew over the Shackleton and HMS Scott, berthed at Mare Harbour

The Shack Just dissappearing out of picture

The Falklands Coastline

Falkland Sound below

Last look at the Islands, next stop Ascension Island to refuel

A few hours later and the setting sun was lovely to see.

Lights off heads down and everyone trying to sleep

Next morning and only 40 minutes from landing at Brize Norton.

We touched down at 6.50 am, we collected our bags cleared customs and moved into the arrivals area where families and friends were waiting to collect us. I was met by Dee who had taken time off work to come and collect me, it was lovely to see her and after a big hug I knew i was finally home.

Most of the BAS team had a coach waiting to take them back to Cambridge, so the next 20 minutes were spent saying goodbye to people who were not just work colleagues but who had become very good friends. Vowing to stay in contact through Facebook, which has now doubled my friends list since working on the Ice.
I was now back to reality. The weather was dull, overcast and miserable, it was also quite cold, but the thing that hit me most was the damp moisture in the air. I could feel it sticking to my body, and my lungs felt heavy with every breath.

There was no moisture or damp on Antarctica, so although it was cold the body does not suffer with stiff joints etc.. I can understand why people move to warmer climates to give their bodies a break.

Now I am back to some sort of normality, I have been asked what I got out of the experience and if I would go back.
I got so much out of this job, and on reflection I can quite honestly say that it has been one of the most eye opening, mind broadening, life changing experiences that i have had to date.
As regards to wether i would go back, the answer is most definate.
My appraisal went very well and I will certainly have the oppertunity of doing more for BAS in the future.
I am now part of the Antarctic employment pool and have stated I am willing to do a Winter at any base. Which will be 18 months, taking in 2 summers and undergoing more specialised training.

I just have to wait now for the jobs to come up and for BAS to contact me, which will be April / May time.
If i do go back, it will be this November 2011 until March 2013......Watch this space!

So to close here's a couple of my favourite pictures from Antarctica for you to enjoy while i go off in search of work.

The Aurora Astralis, (Southern lights) with the Halley signpost taken during the winter by Ant Dubber, last seasons wintering Chef

Another of Ant's Pictures, showing the Aurora over the new modules.

Richard and Matt, frozen hair at -40 degrees

Emperor chick with parent.

Seals Basking in the sun.

How cool is that!

Here I am having a go on the Dobson which measures the Ozone.

And finally one last look at the Laws building, which has served BAS well over the last few years. It will be emotional when it eventually gets demolished, which more than likely will be this next season.

Hopefully I will be back.

A big thank you to all who have followed this blog, watch this space for the next one.

Trev