We are at the part of our season when our summer crew, the animals and now daylight is going or gone. Summer went very quickly, friends have left, friends have arrived and a new chapter begins. A few comments have been made about "still having eight months to go!". I prefer to think of it as we still have eight months to make some fantastic memories and go on some extraordinary adventures.
It’s not always easy down here, it gets extremely hard at times. Friends on station, family and friends back home make such a difference and have such an impact when you are so far away for so long. The support shown to me from our summer crew and the wintering crew has been nothing short of phenomenal and I can't thank those people enough.
The summer season, while busy, provided a great deal of opportunity to get out and explore the Vestfold Hills. Some close to station overnight trips and some epic four-night treks to the plateau with unbelievable groups of friends.
There were some exciting events over the summer, international visitors, helicopters and the Australia Day swim that were highlights for many. What will always stay with me, is not my first time in a helicopter being in Antarctica or how cold the water was on Australia Day, but the time I got to spend with extraordinary people, in an extraordinary place.
Being able to get to the plateau with others that hadn't seen it before either, was something that was truly epic. The beautiful clear and still days that we had on trips and the days that the wind blew a bit harder and was uncomfortable but everyone looked out for each other and still had smiles on their faces even when the weather wasn't as kind as it had been.
Trips to the glacier with friends we'd waited months to see was one of the many highlights of the season so far. The commentary around the dart board and around the dart tables was something that just had to experienced. The tears and sore sides from the amount of laughter that area of the LQ brought will only be known to those that were there, witnessed it and partook.
The winter season has now begun, sea ice drilling will start next week and should open another world of adventure, exploration and stories for which I can't wait.
To all the 2023/24 expeditioners of the Davis 77th ANARE, I'd like to thank you for sharing the experience with me. To the summer crew, I can't wait to catch up with you again and to our winter team, I look forward to this new chapter and what it brings with it.
Matt Bannister, Sparkles
