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Published: January 16th 2007
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Hello again one and all and welcome back to the weird and wonderful events taking shape out here on the Antarctic Peninsular.
There has been absolutely loads going on since the last update, apart from the term “day off” being mentioned from the boss. The building is coming on in leaps and bounds now, on the external side of things anyway so it looks quite good. Windows are in, 1 side of the roof is completely on and fully sheeted out and the opposite side is going on as we speak. So, the topping out party we have been promised will be going ahead soon all going well.
New Years Day we had a boat trip organised throughout the bay and over to the seal colony with half our group going in the morn and the other half later in the afternoon. Well, due to the fact that I was obviously going to have an absolute stinker of a hangover from the night before I decided that the afternoon trip would be the best option for me. The lads went away in the morn and as I awoke, say, around 1, the other lads were returning saying how much fun they
had. So I plodded down after lunch and was met by the boatman on the wharf. Cancelled. Too much wind. Bugger.
A week later and blessed with absolutely stunning weather with no wind and glorious sunshine that made me want to strip off and jump in the ocean (being a positively barmy 2 degrees or something) we managed to convince the boys to get us out in the boats this time. What a day we had as well. The sea was like a millpond, the previous weeks winds had filled the bay up with truly amazing icebergs some of which were just mind-blowing to see up close and it was good to see the base from another perspective after only seeing it from the one direction since arriving here. If you were to try and recreate some of these shapes, which the sea and wind had created in the bergs, you would spend the rest of your life trying to get them right. Absolutely amazing is the only way to explain it all. To add to all the fun of just seeing these monsters up close we also went over to a place called Lagoon Island, which is where a
colony of entirely different monsters hang out. Elephant Seals. Around about 100 or so Bulls around the bay, farting, burping, fighting yet mostly just chilling around the banks and catching a bit of sun before they head back out to sea for a good old feed. Now these guys are absolutely huge and boy do they stink. I just can’t explain the odour of these things yet I was pining for the sewage treatment plant on base after sitting down wind from these fellas. The good thing is that they either don’t really see us as too much of a threat or the more likely thing is they cant be arsed to move so you can quite literally sit down right next to them and observe all the goings on, until they spray snot all over you with a big fart like sound through their nose. Which is nice.
The bay itself was a sight to behold on its own, completely surrounded by huge towering mountains with glaciers teeming off in all directions, you could almost picture the lines you would try in scrambling to the top of these 3000m + beasts. After a nice leisurely stroll through the icebergs
on the way back we all retired back to the dining hall for tea and medals with great big grins on our face knowing that tomorrow we had to get back to work again. Oh well, musnt grumble.
We had another visit from the ruskies during the week as well who on their farewell takeoff buzzed the coms tower and pulled a few tricks before leaving for warmer climes. We actually found out about the trip these guys are on and it makes you wonder why the machines they have are so dated when they undergo jollies like this one, they nearly even put me to shame! The Russian government flew these 2 choppers in the back of a massive airplane to Punta Arenas in Chile, which then flew to us. Meanwhile some Russian bigwigs flew on private jet further north and landed at an airstrip called Sky Blu for refuelling. They then jumped on the choppers from here and flew to the South Pole. Now, this all sounds fine so far im sure. Well, after only 2, I say again 2 hours there, they jump back into their choppers and head back home. All so some government dude can
say he’s been to the South Pole. Oh well, im sure I would do the same if I were in his position!
While we are talking about bigwigs, last night HRH The Princess Royal flew into base for 3 days of fun and games. Princess Anne is joined here with her husband, some security guy with a strange bulge in his pocket, the director of the British Antarctic Survey, 135 officers and crew from HMS Endurance, 2 guys of the telly, Mark Austin and Lawrence Magintee, news anchor dudes from ITV and a few more important people here for the fun and games. So, I bet you can guess that this week is going to be kind of full on with all sorts happening along with everyone being on their best behaviour for the VIPs. Tomorrow we have dinner with the Princess with me sat just opposite her but right alongside the Captain of HMS Endurance on one side and the base doctor to the other. I’m sure I can lower my evening dinner chat to their standards for one night only, just so they don’t feel out of place!
Ok, im sure that will quench everyone’s anticipation wondering what
I have been up to for the past couple of weeks. I hope all is well back in the real world and I look forward to hearing from you all soon.
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