With a late summer arrival of our three-person Traverse team into the 77th ANARE winter, the ground was already moving somewhat quickly.
A team in the early stages of forming a close kinship was to most, noticeable to the newcomer, as well as those who had weathered and been exhausted from another bumper-packed Casey summer. There were some regrets with arriving late into our season, including not having experienced the wildlife and spending time with friends from the previous winter.
With daytime temperatures dropping rapidly, an eerie feeling of the calm before the storm brewed in the mind. So much to do, so many incalculable variables to be considered with little to no persuasion to be applied. Favourable weather prevailed for many weeks affording rare opportunities to get ahead of schedule and make the most of weekends off station. As I write the Gods are still showering us with kindness; nothing but soft fluffy flakes fall from the heavens.
Looking outward to the horizon one can only prepare and brace in anticipation of the incoming deluge. This desolate expanse cannot offer any certainty except that ironic underlying uncertainty of all that prevails here.
In such moments, one can only make it their primary order of business to savour their passage through time, as it is infinitesimally small and somewhat insignificant.
Choose to focus on the beauty in the chaos, not the apparent lawlessness.
Appreciate where you are in life.
Be kind to yourself.
Tim Harris - Traverse Team.
