A Year On The Ice
This week marks a year since we stepped off the Nuyina onto the sea ice and walked to Davis, our new home. We were welcomed by a scruffy group of winterers who both showed us around and shared stories from their season. By the end of resupply, they had passed on the mantle of custodian to us, the new crew. And it was our chance to create some stories of our own.
Next week the Nuyina will be back, and the cycle will repeat. Except now we are the scruffy winter team, and it is our time to pass on what we have learned and experienced. And to welcome them to Davis for the start of their season.
With the return home to ‘reality’ imminent, I find myself reflecting on what we have done and been privileged to experience. A year is a long time, and plenty has happened, both for us on station, and in the lives of those we care about back home.
A few shared highlights from across the Davis team:
- Claude’s pastries on a Saturday (he cooks with equal parts butter and love).
- Those late autumn days with aurora filled night skies and long pastel twilights of pink and purple.
- Exploring the Vestfolds has been a highlight for many. The intricacies of ice and snow, rock and fjords. The walks in summer and sea ice travel through winter.
- For some it was sharing their knowledge, skills and experience, and the reward of seeing people heading away for their own adventures.
- For someone it was being part of the SAR team and being lowered down a snow cliff by their friends (and safely hauled back up we should add).
- Being able to visit and photograph newly born Weddell seal pups is hard to beat. They are just so adorable!
- Personally, I’ve had so many highlights its hard to just pick one. Helping to stage the Cinderella play for Midwinter was an absolute joy. (Yes, it was filmed. No, you can’t see it.) I’ve also spent a lot of time on the bike trainer this year, and managed to tick some personal fitness goals (this has also had the benefit of preventing some of Claude’s butter from adhering to my waistline).
Naturally we are looking forward to home and the things we have missed. We are all excited to see those we love: partners, family, friends, and perhaps furry friends the most.
Next on the list for a lot of us is fresh fruit and veg; a crunchy apple, banana that’s not dried, real avocado, juicy fresh mango (mmmmmm mango!).
Many of us can’t wait for a swim; one without needing to sign a waiver, get a medical check - all important and necessary things when the water is below zero degrees. Come to think of it, warm water will be nice!
Or it could be the simple things we are missing, mowing the lawn (remember the smell of cut grass? You know, that green stuff), sitting having a cuppa with family and watching the dog run around under the sprinkler.
But before all that happens we have a resupply to do, a station to handover, and new faces to welcome to Davis.
Thank you Davis station, it’s been a year we won’t forget!
Mark Savage
