A Birthday Surprise or Two

It was to Rob, Corey and Brian's collective surprise that Craig seemed more than happy to tag along with them for an early week jolly. Apparently they hadn't scared him enough with their Woop Woop trip a couple of weeks ago, perhaps this time...

The agenda was simple and somewhat of a secret. On the morning of Rob's birthday and with little fanfare or ceremony, the four packed their gear into Ol' Yellah aka the yellow Hägg and headed out from Davis for Bandits Hut. A quiet birthday celebration was in order!

Stopping on the sea ice outside Davis for routine depth drilling the four experienced amazing dawn light and some nacreous clouds. After completing this task the four set off for Long Fjord for a slightly scenic route to Bandits. Enjoying the terrain and relative ease that a Hägglund negotiates it, they decided to make a slight detour and stopped in at the Amphitheatre, a naturally formed, wind scoured ice cliff in the rough shape of its namesake. After a look and getting cold hands, they trekked on to their destination.

'So, what would you do if someone just knocked on the window out here?' was a question asked a couple of jollies ago in the spirit of campfire horror stories. At Bandits the birthday dinner was just gearing up when there came a loud thump on the window. The four exchanged amused, bemused and slightly horrified looks before Shane and Jenny, who on their way home from a jolly of their own, walked in after having decided to drop by for well wishes. After they left and with nerves once again settled it happened again – this time a cake delivery from Davis. Justin, Jenn McGhee and Dave Tulloh, nominated representatives of the station, rode up to Bandits to pass on everyone else’s best wishes and stopped for a chat. Corey, Rob and Brian performed (tried to perform) an impromptu concert for their guests with the instruments they packed and without realising it, hours passed. Taking their leave the cake delivery team headed off for home.

Once again back down to four, the party continued and after some time the four decided it was high time to crash. Up at about 9:30 the next morning the hut was cleaned and the four set off for both Mikkelsen's and Sir Hubert Wilkins' Cairn. With these destinations checked off the list it was 'Home James'. Powering back to station with plenty of light, some managed to snatch some rest while others enjoyed the view. On reflection it wasn't such a quiet birthday after all.