Still Waiting

Wednesday 21st December and I have a day off

The weather is scattered Stratocumulus clouds, with light easterly winds. 

The Temperature is -2.7 degrees C which is warm for where we are.

 Conditions are good for flying and yet we are still waiting for the plane from Rothera to come in with much needed supplies. It was supposed to have arrived yesterday with 200kg of meat, which will see us through until the ship arrives so we continue to produce food with very little, hopefully it will be in tomorrow (Thursday 22nd Dec).

While Paul and Rory are on the roof, we ask them
If they can see the plane

Ant Wondering what to do for lunch.

Andy Mac the Mechanic looks out into the vast expanse of white
Still no sign of a plane

Desperate for food Karl (project Manager) and Ben 
(Winter Base Commander) resort to raiding the fridge.

Ian Tris and Gary discussing the day in the dining tent

Andy the winter meteorologist arrives from Hally V
with a few supplies.

 With lunch over and dinner already prepared, myself
and Ant armed with our cameras go to see how the workers 
are getting on. The picture shows under the modules where 
the snow is has to be cleared, as wind tails form 

The modules in position with machines under the link bridge 
clearing the snow

Me sat on a Skidoo outside the red module

Ant walking from the modules back to the Drewry.

 

With Christmas just around the corner everyone is looking forward to the time off.
However! Christmas Day this year falls on a Sunday, which means the guys lose out on a day off. Sunday is the one day off they have anyway. 


This does not affect the Chefs as we still have to work, the workforce though, do get to finish early on Saturday and have a good meal to look forward to as all the food stuff and Ingredients for the Christmas dinner was put aside earlier in the year.
So plane or no plane Christmas Day is covered.


 Apart from the Drama of having no food all else seems calm. 
The Morrison Construction guys are busy with their own trades and making good progress.


 The nuts and bolts all seem to be going in the right holes, the cables and wires are being pulled and connected to the right terminals, share array and towers are being checked for correct alignment and tightness, generators are being maintained and monitored and all seems to be on track and progressing nicely.


 Which is good news for the 14 strong wintering team as it looks like they will be in the new modules by the end of the summer season and not as was expected back at Halley V for the winter.

 And so, after a busy days work we retire to our pit room
and to bed. I have the bottom bunk

Ant in the top bunk with a cup of tea, leaning against the head board
that Carl the chippy made him in the shape of a chefs hat.
Carl also made him a shelf for his laptop so he can watch his films 
In comfort.