Plumber Pat Brady reflects on his favourite things - brunch and bread.

Best time of the week…

Hello, my name is Pat Brady and I am a plumber here on Macquarie island as part of the 77th ANARE.

As we approach the halfway mark of the season it’s a great time to reflect on the journey we have had here and what we have achieved as a group. Lots of laughs and strong friendships are definitely some of the first things that spring to my mind. This island has a lot to offer for those willing to take it, in work and adventure.

That being said, would it be weird if I told you that one of my most favourite parts of this island isn’t the unique plethora of wildlife spread across every pocket of the island, or the breathtaking scenery and plants that cover this island all the way from the plateau to the ocean, along with all the field huts we have at our disposal for weekend getaways and operational purposes? No. My favourite thing on this island comes around every Saturday at around 11am. I’m talking about brunch, and when the food bell rings through the mess, happiness and joy spreads across everybody present.

The menu is ever changing but always delivers a wide range of different things, such as so many different ways of serving eggs, bacon, snags, pancakes or crepes, tarts, potatoes, chia puddings, cakes and cookies…but one thing that you can always count on being there is bread. Not just any bread but the crustiest of all sourdoughs. Bread that is so good it has become folklore around station.

Sadly, our talented chef Annette will be heading home for the summer along with two other station friends, however brunch will still live on with some fresh new faces and the crew staying on for the summer.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. My name is Pat and I love bread.

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