Information
Comments
Yesterday, we arrived at Davis which well and truly lived up to its sobriquet of the Riviera of the South. It was definitely time to break out the sunglasses in an effort to try to look cool and detached.
Earlier in the day, after leaving the pack ice, we broke into open water with a view of the continental ice plateau to the south. To reach the station, we passed through the outer shell of grounded ice bergs that protects the entrance to the harbour and pulled up opposite Gardner and Anchorage Islands,
We had to be very, very quiet because the station was still asleep but at midday ship time (and 8am station time) communications were formally established and operations commenced 30 minutes later. In all, it took just over three hours to transfer two helicopters, four personnel and about 20 slings loads of cargo into station, in return for which we received two personnel and a small amount of cargo. Thanks to the Nuyina helideck and Davis ground crews for making it all run so smoothly.
Having delivered helicopters to Davis, our thoughts turned to the problem of delivering fuel to Casey. It didn't take long for us to turn our heels and head back out again, sadly thinking of what could have been if only we'd had more time to explore this place.
Overnight we pushed back out of Prydz Bay, admiring the grounded tabular icebergs of the Four Ladies Bank as we passed. The four ladies being Ingrid Christensen, Augusta Christensen, Lillemor Rachlew, and Solveig Widerøe of the 1937 Norwegian Expedition.
This morning, we have started on a more easterly heading to get back towards Casey. We'll be looking opportunities to test science equipment as we go along. There is much to do and we are certainly hoping to take the weather with us.
Lloyd and Justin
Map
A map showing Australia and Antarctica. The map shows the journey of one voyage that has occured in the season, with each route highlighted in a distinct colour.