2012

2012 

Happy New Year 

Me riding around the parimeter of the new base on a Ski-doo

The New Modules in the background.

Another Year gone and another Christmas on the Ice over in the blink of an eye.

Time goes so quickly here on Antarctica, with no night to measure the days by and everyone so involved in what they are doing we are already more than half way through the season with a lot of the guys leaving in just 6 weeks.

Relief also came and went. The Shackleton arrived at Christmas with much needed supplies although not nearly enough, we are still having to ration and stretch certain food items as they will be needed to see the wintering team through not only the winter, but also the next summer season up to December 2012. When the Shack once again will bring in the supplies.

Ant The Chef pulling a sledge of food from the reefer

In the background. We have to do this daily what ever the weather.

Here it is snowing.

I did not see much of the relief this season as most of It was done from Halley V which is only 12 km from the coast.

It was all very similar to last season, the mechanics container was sited at the creek along with the fuel containers for refuelling. The mechanics were on hand to make sure all vehicles were maintained and a safe environment was kept.

The Snow cats pulled sledges of cargo from the ship on and off the sea Ice, while the Challengers and the John Deer's pulled them to and from Halley V.

Here a John Deer Tractor arrives at Halley VI

with Cargo ready to be unloaded by the Mantis Crane.

Being at Halley VI, which is now 28 km away and a 2 hour journey by Sno-cat,

 we only saw a few vehicles pulling sledges containing clothing and our reefers of food that had been sorted at Halley V and sent on to us at Halley VI.

It was still a great thing to see from the kitchen window, as the Challengers and John Deer's pulled the sledges into position on the cargo line and waited while the Mantis Crane lifted the containers and positioned them on the Ice.

Containers of Fuel were transported to base and all the waste taken to the ship ready to be  transported to the falklands to be disposed of.

The whole Relief went very smoothly and was completed in 5 days.

The timing of it all was pretty good. As the Shackleton Arrived earlier than expected just before the 25th Dec. The Captain chose to run the ship onto the sea Ice to beach it and give everyone the chance to enjoy Christmas day. 

So with relief not starting until Boxing day everyone had a good Christmas.

 At Halley VI on Christmas eve we finished dinner and everyone gathered in the logs tent for mulled wine, mince pies and carol singing. Conducted by Jen the Doctor, accompanied by Mark the Electrician and Sam the Meteorologist on their guitars. The whole evening was a total success and a good time was had by all.

O Come All Ye Faithful

Mark and Sam on Guitar and Nigel in Santa Hat accompanying

The next day myself and Ant cooked a light brunch at midday followed at 4.00pm by a full Christmas Turkey dinner with all the trimmings and xmas pud . This meant that we Chefs could finish early and enjoy what was left of the day, we even managed to sit with all the guys and enjoy the meal with a glass of wine a lot of joviality and cracker pulling. That evening was quite a relaxed one and most went to bed at a reasonable time, knowing that relief was starting in the morning.

Every one enjoying their christmas meal.

As myself and Ant came in to the dining area to eat

we were greeted by cheering and applause.

Christmas Dinner for the Chefs

Simon Gill in the Festive Spirit.

With relief only lasting 5 days it meant that we could all enjoy New Years eve, this we did to the best of our ability with a few of the guys really letting their hair down, 

(I do have it on record!)

A world famous band, with Matt on guitar, Nigel lead singer,

Chris on the table tennis bat, James on air drums 

and Jordan serving drinks

I was Invited into JT's room for a drink

and he had built a fire place with hearth.

The fire was virtual flames on a laptop.

Ingenious 

We saw the New Year in with a lot of singing, dancing…(Ish)  air guitar playing, running out onto the Ice and one or two taking a sauna in one that  Garith and Carl the carpenters built.

Garith putting the door on to the Sauna

Happy New Year Guys....