Spending the last two Summer seasons at Casey research station, it was time for a change.  When I heard I was going to Davis station I was very excited.  I guess it was the anticipation of heading to one of my favourite destinations again in the world, Antarctica.

And the winner is for the 24/25 season, Davis Station

And the winner is for the 24/25 season, Davis station. 

Spending the last two Summer seasons at Casey, it was time for a change. When I heard I was going to Davis station I was very excited. I guess it was the anticipation of heading to one of my favourite destinations again in the world, Antarctica.  This time I was going to arrive via the Nuyina, not by plane. That is three different ways now I’ve travelled to Antarctica, C17, A319 and RSV Nuyina.  I have to say going by ship has been my favourite and I saw Emperor Penguins for the very first time. Exciting times. 

Arriving through the ice to Davis station looked so fantastic drifting by giant ice bergs and then finally seeing the Vestfold Hills.  At Casey, all you saw was ice and snow, and snow and ice and some more snow and ice, not to say that isn’t spectacular in its own right. 

I wasn’t arriving to Davis station without knowing anyone, which is always a bonus.  From both the 76th and 77th seasons, there are expeditioners I share experiences with before and now again at Davis, the 78th ANARE.  Now with the 78th, I have made new friends again and probably will have some long-life friendships after the season is done. 

The food this year for me has been consistently fantastic thanks to our French connection of Antione and Claude.  We lost another great chef which I was lucky enough to share at Casey last season, Michael but we lost him to Mawson, lucky ducks.  Then we received Rob, who came from Casey to fill the void of Michael. 

From working in IT, doing refuel, resupply, working with the ICT team and raking rocks remediating a dirt road (thanks for having me Helen) back into its natural features has been rewarding.  I’m starting to hit my stride with Davis and its IT around station just when the Nuyina is only a couple of days away.  A few ways to fill the days off were the gym, boxing (thank you Kayne), sauna and my favourite, the Pineapple.  The Pineapple is where the music is stored and I loved heading down for a bash on the drums. 

Favourite place visited – Amphitheatre (thank you Bill, Tom P and Antoine for a great 12-hour day trip) 

Stayed at Watts Hut – simply stunning zen place (my awesome hiking group, Mark, Matty B, Vanessa and Ray aka Stingers) 

Thank you, Davis Station, going to miss you when I’m gone and here’s hopefully to seeing an Orca or two on the way to Mawson then back to Hobart. 

Have a lovely life everyone.

Louis Brown - Information Technology Officer

Louis sits on a rock at Merchants Landing, overlooking the water, ice and distant landscape
The sun sets behind a distant hill from Davis Station producing a vibrant sunset, the sky is glowing pink and orange.
A frozen body of water with a large ice wall on the left and a large rock face on the right, forming a natural amphitheatre.
A frozen body of water with a large ice wall on the right and a large rock face on the left, forming a natural amphitheatre.
Louis takes a selfie on the sea ice out front of Davis station. There's numerous expeditioners setting up to play a game of cricket on the ice.
A group of Adélie penguins walk in a line across the rocks.
Louis and another expeditioner are walking along the sea ice inspecting the fuel line that connects from RSV Nuyina to Davis Station..
The sun sits just above the horizon in the distance from Davis Station
A group of 5 expeditioners ride bicycles along the sea ice on the way back from Bandits Hut.
A portrait photo of Antoine the station chef standing on the ice wearing his cold weather gear.
Louis standing in the crow's nest of RSV Nuyina looking out over the distant open sea
A selfie of Louis and Brendan standing on the sea ice with RSV Nuyina behind them.
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