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Published: February 19th 2007
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Hello again one and all.
First of all, I must apologise for not updating the websites for quite some time, mainly to me mum who’s been most worried that aliens might of abducted me while scoping out the continent for their water shortage needs. (Did you know Antarctica holds 90% of the worlds ice? Now that’s a lot of water my friend)
Anyway, the main reason for my lack of info is basically Princess Anne’s fault. Well, someone in her entourage anyway. When her party of people flew into base they managed to smuggle in a few strains of what can only be described as a God-awful form of man flu. Now, im generally not one for being very ill while back in the real world, yet the trouble with working out here in such a pristine environment is that it is simply too damn clean and fresh and dare I say it, germ free. Now because of this the bodies immune system reduces due to the fact it hasn’t got to fight millions of horrid little bugs and germs.
So, after meeting the Princess and all the goons, I have spent over 3 weeks completely shattered, aching, sneezing, coughing and
hocking up all kinds of strange things from my chest as if im smoking 80 fags a day. I suppose I should clarify that’s cigarettes im talking about. Not only did I catch the cold, I then began to clear up and feel better when I caught a second, much worse strain that actually left me bed ridden for a few days. The bug was taking no prisoners either and spread around the base like wildfire knocking operations well and truly on their arse.
Right, squin over. Things are looking up and I feel loads better now and we continue to graft away at the building, hoping for some form of completion in the time allocated. Which, I must add, is only 7 weeks away now!! I cant believe that’s all we have left and in all honesty, the building wont be finished in time so we just have to do as much as we can and then people will just have to fly back out here next year to finish the project. No great shame really. Another nice jolly for someone to look forward to.
Im currently working on the outside of the building, where I think I will
Adelie Penguin
With the sun setting in the background be for the remainder of the season, weather proofing the walls and fixing all the steel sheets to the outside. This work outside is obviously completely weather dependant and absolutely freezing if any wind is about, so we all hope for good weather for the next 7 weeks. Which, in Antarctica heading towards winter, is an absolute impossibility.
One of the good things about working outside is all the wildlife surrounding us. We now have Fur Seals arriving on the beach who love to chase you barking and yapping like a big fat stinky Doberman. Also, on the cliffs behind the building, we have all the Skua chicks hatching in their nests. Now, like most birds the chicks are cute little balls of fluff that you just want to pick up and give a good old cuddle and take home. The grown up version however are the most evil little barstewards around. If you venture towards their nest they will dive bomb you getting closer and closer until they are pecking away drawing blood on your face with their razor sharp beaks. Quite fun to watch mind if it isn’t you being attacked.
I did manage a tour of the
science facilities on base however, kindly explained by all the boffs on base. My highlight of this was the aquarium where samples from dive sites around base are stored for the beakers (scientists, Muppet show character. Quite the same thing) then they perform tests on them, which usually involve death and mutilation. All in the name of science of course. Very interesting though and an impressive set up as well. Another event was Burns night. This was an excuse for our northern skirt-wearing friends to dress up, sing and dance jigs and generally celebrate all things Scottish, so it doesn’t take that long anyway!! Boom Boom!! There was a very impressive speech followed by toasts to the girls and a reply to the boys, which involved taking the piss out of everyone, all accompanied by a little bit of fiddling. Not in the kiddie sense but musical, closely followed with an evening meal of Haggis. Tastes better than it looks I must add.
Well, that’s it really, im afraid not much has happened apart from the big outbreak. My knee is slowly on the mend and im out running again in the evenings and enjoying a spot of badminton in
Mums coming!!!
Skua attacking the hanger when the planes away. All the field parties of scientists and their climbing assistants are returning after 8 weeks on the ice looking truly bedraggled with big bushy beards and hair everywhere so the season is truly coming to a close now. Soon it will just be us and the winter team left until we leave at the beginning of April, hopefully with some form of completed building behind us.
Keep all the news up from your worlds wherever you may be and ill write again a little sooner than it’s taken this time, as long as im clear of man flu anyway. Respect!
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