Now that Summer has come and gone, and the scientists have departed along with all the summer tradies, it’s time to step back and have a look at what a busy summer it was.
It all kicked off in November with station hand over and a few departing drinks with the outgoing winterers.
Then resupply was early December, and many days were spent racing against the weather. While the Aurora Australis was still here and the good weather held, we were able to take in a few iceberg, or ‘berg, cruises. Awesome.
Next was onto survival training and a night trying to sleep on the ice. It didn’t feel right to be putting sunscreen on at midnight and trying to sleep with the sun still up.
Onto travel training, we rode out to Jack’s Donga on quad bikes. What a spot! The view along the coast and out over the icebergs is very impressive. I don’t think you would find a toilet anywhere else in the world with a view like that.
There were a few trips up to Wilkins to meet the plane, always a good journey and a welcome day off station. Driving Hägglunds and tractors towing cargo up and back every trip was different.
We did a couple of trips over to Wilkes, the old station across the bay from Casey. It is an incredible place, unchanged since the 1960s. A night in the ‘Wilkes Hilton’ was awesome.
Mix in some general servicing, some repairs, the power house shut down, Christmas and Australia Day, and packing up ready for winter, and it’s been a busy four months.