THE ISLAND: Offers up grandeur and majesty, but it extracts its price too. 3 days of field training was hard. Every step required focus – 10kg pack, steep terrain, uneven ground, hidden ditches, bog patches, dense tussock grass, and of course giving way to wildlife which was challenging when it took the form of large cranky elephant seals weighing in at about 800kg that didn’t want to move. All is forgotten and forgiven when you look up, and it’s just ‘wow’.
THE TEAM: I’ve had the privilege of assisting our Dieso with the fortnightly fuel transfer. This is big…other expeditioners have taken on the role and not been invited back! The Macca Tradies have completely rebuilt an accommodation block – impressive feat, looks fantastic and will soon be occupied! I’ve been introduced to Macca science, not only environmental management and wildlife monitoring but all things space, nuclear and meteorological. Hats off to the Comm’s Team who always have an ear to the radio, ensuring we stay connected and safe in the field (SL in the making there!). Our Chef keeps us too well fed, and the Supply Officer (aka Sous Chef, photographer, movie selector, resupply guru) along with our trusty Plant Operator are already working their magic to move cages around the isthmus in preparation for resupply. The SFTO makes field work look easy (which is a bit vexing), but he along with our Fire Chiefs are keeping us trained in all things emergency response. And then, finally, keeping an eye on all of us is our Doctor (aka second Sous Chef, popcorn maker).
ON THE WATER: A boating operation is both functional and enjoyable! Where else can you assist with moving supplies down Island, and then when you pause to reflect it registers that you are in the middle of the Southern Ocean in a relatively small inflatable boat next to a coast line that looks like something out of Jurassic Park? There are penguins everywhere as they travel on their ‘ocean highways’ coming and going from their rookeries, and, ohh yeah….the Orcas! You become acutely aware of just how small you are when Orcas go by…paying you no heed (thank God), but you do hold your breath just a little bit.
IMPROVEMENT: My photography skills when nature is in front of me! Trying to capture a penguin as it leaps out of the water - I think I got its feet. And then the Orca as it swam past us in the IRB – how in focus is the water in front of the dorsal fin!
Wouldn’t be anywhere else…
