The Fabulous Furious Fifties

My workplace on Macquarie is a 250 metre walk from Hasselborough House (accommodation). Before I leave, I look out my window to see what the weather is like. This, and a quick read of the days forecast, helps me decide what extra clothes or gear I should take for the walk to work.

My basic everyday attire is thermal underwear, thick long socks, Work pants (Hard Yakka), a T-shirt, beanie and full length gum boots. I also bring or wear my wind and rain proof gortex jacket.
Some days I need thick gloves, an extra layer or two of clothes and a torch.

The weather changes so quickly, so one should be prepared for every situation.

Last Friday, when I looked out the window I could see it was very windy - this made the short 250 metre walk very interesting. With my jacket fully zipped, so that only my eyes were exposed. The wind was that fierce - I was buffeted around and had work hard to keep on my feet. Also the sand blasted into the small exposed gaps in my 'armour' stinging my face.

Workmate Aaron, trying to measure the wind alongside Razorback Ridge

Winter has arrived

Last Saturday, we at Macquarie Island celebrated Mid-Winters day. This is one of the most important days on the Antarctic calendar. It is almost universally celebrated at all nations Antarctic communities.
It celebrates the winter solstice, which this year occurred at precisely 05:04 UTC on the 21st of June.

This post celebrates winter and the images reflect this theme.

Dreaming of the summer

Auroras and other photometeors...

The days are getting shorter. The sun is rising at around 0845 and setting just after 1600. It is fast approaching mid-winter's day. We at Macca will celebrate this important event in the Antarctic calendar on the 22nd of June. For those on my email list - I have sent out a invitation to join us.

A beautiful recent sunset

Boating Induction - Part 2 - Northward back to VJM

From the last post (Boating Induction - Part 1) we had just dropped off Chris, Josh and Dave at the beach just north of Brothers Point hut. As the weather and conditions were still ideal for boating, the plan was to travel northward back towards VJM.

Instead of taking the most direct route, it was decided to explore and practice manoeuvres inshore. We made our way slowly through the inshore kelp beds and rock stacks. It was an interesting perspective of the coast we walked along on day 3 of our field training.

Drifting in and out of the kelp covered rocky outcrops just north of Brothers Point

Boating Induction Part I

When we were still in Hobart we took part in a 4 day Boating Training which took place out at the AAD's boating facility at Kettering. This was covered in a previous post on this blog Antarctic Training Part 4 - Boating

It was time to put all that we learnt into place on Macquarie Island. This took place over 2 days.

View to the southwest from West Beach near the station

Field Training - Macca style

A Note before I proceed - This post (and some future posts) will feature more photographs then previous posts. Up until this afternoon I have taken just over 4000 pictures on my new camera, so it is hard to choose just a handful of photos for each post - I Hope You don't mind??

Three Macquarie shags flying south - a few days before we set off in the same direction on our field training

ANZAC Day...a time for reflection

ANZAC day is a special day on the Antarctic bases and this year was no exception. It was a special day here on Macquarie Island as 7 of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project (MIPEP) are from New Zealand.

Each Station has its own way of honouring the spirit and reverence of ANZAC day.

Our day started at with a 0615 gathering in the mess. At 0625 we made our way in the misty drizzly dawn to the flag poles.

The day before, Tony the Communications technician had set up some weather proof speakers to the 2 outer flag poles, while before the ceremony a portable flood light had been set up to light up the flags.

We all gathered at the eastern side of the flag poles and silently watched as the Australian, New Zealand and Aboriginal flags were raised.

The flags being attached to the poles by the flag bearers - Josh Lionel and Patty