August in white, Macca delight!
When I first heard I had been offered the posting at Macquarie Island (Macca), I must admit, for a small moment I was a little bit disappointed. As a first-time expeditioner, when you think of going south, the first thing you think of is snow and ice. Well, I am happy to discover that Macca, as well as having an abundance of wildlife, huge green tufts of wind swept tussock, crashing waves and a system of lakes and caves along its plateau and coastline, also has snow!
How stupid could I be, thinking I had won some sort of consolation prize for being offered a job outside of the Antarctic continent?
Macca is heaven.
It has its gloomy days with high wind, low visibility and rain. But my gosh, what a small price to pay for what it gives you. On many more occasions than I expected, when I walk outside of my cosy accommodation, I look towards north head; bold and powerful, casting long shadows over the station. And to the south, a huge open vista of green mountains capped by light snow. The light is beautifully captured on the faces of the cliffs. Then there's the calm ocean of the east side and the ever-rolling big surf of the wild west.
The month ahead, August, is the month of snow. Today we had a thick fluffy cover of the purest snow, a warm and brightly pink and orange sunrise, a windless and temperate mid-morning and a stunning red sunset to top it off. Today I think our hearts sang a collection song for our little island in the Southern Sea. Today we give thanks and look forward to more fluffy snow on the little island with all the right stuff.
By Zane Maddock
(Station Chef)
