And just like that, our sleepy little town has turned into a bustling city more akin to a Sydney or London...well, maybe not, but it certainly feels like it for the 16 of us who have barely seen a new face in the last 12 months.
The French icebreaker L’Astrolabe appeared on the horizon bright and early on a stunning Wednesday morning. Onboard, a group of very excited expeditioners and boat crews ready to inject some new energy into the station and get crackin’ with the station resupply.
By the end of Wednesday afternoon our population had exploded to 46 and even the fur seals and penguins popped into the station compound to see what all the fuss was about.
The resupply will continue over the weekend and deep into next week, as we load up the station with enough food, fuel and spare parts to last the new crew a full year.
Although we are very sad to be leaving such an island paradise, the joy on the faces of the new crew as they fawned over the local wildlife, and excitement as they talk about the adventures they will have on the island over the next 12 months, makes you realise that Macca is such a special place to so many people, and that sometimes the island needs to be shared with some new faces (even if you aren’t ready to go just yet).
We will miss you Macca, but I’m sure I’ll see you again!
Troy Henderson
Station Communications Technical Officer
