Last weekend we had our first big snow, shortly afterwards we had our first big blow. The blow lasted for some time, right through until late Monday night. Blow and snow in Antarctica is described as a blizzard.
I am quite often reminded that I am the youngest member on this team, but in my short working career I have done quite a bit. Prior to my time down south, I was working in the Kimberley, before that I was on Lord Howe Island and before that I was in Tasmania, mostly working in a field service role.
In the Kimberley I’ve driven to jobs in flooding wet season rain, on Lord Howe Island I’ve ridden a push bike across a tropical paradise to get to work and in Tassie… well in Tassie, there aren’t many roads I haven’t been on, at nearly every hour of the day and in some of Tasmania’s most ridiculous weather.
But, (and this is a big but) when I woke up on Monday morning, to 55+ knot winds and visibility down to 20 metres or so, it made for an entirely new experience. One that near ‘blew’ my mind. This getting to work was a whole new ball game. Firstly I radioed in the workshop to let them know I was on my way, put on my three layers, strapped on my goggles and opened the door. Next I forced my way down the stairs and located the blizz line to the workshop. The next five minutes was a blur, after trudging at a 45 degree angle in limited visibility, I practically fell through the workshop door with a beard full of snow, puffing like a steam train and with a massive smile on my dial.
I won’t be forgetting that Monday morning trip to work any time soon.
Jock (Mechanic)
