Easter this year marks the first real and well deserved break for the 75th ANARE team. After pulling together and getting through station handover, re-supply and all round settling into our roles, a few days to reset and smell the roses was well received.
Thursday night was an absolute blast with the team making ‘pop up events’ around the station that led us on a tour around the station that included mini golf in the tankhouse, giant jenga (possibly the most suspenseful game of jenga this planet has ever seen!), burgers in the emergency vehicle shelter, bowling and pizza in the green-store and last but not least, the ultimate tradie skill challenge in the Rosella building. Special shout-outs to our sparkie Nathan for taking out the tradie challenge and of course, our Station Leader Bec for organising.
Easter Friday was a nice relaxing day with everyone getting prepped for the weekend to come. The trade workshops were a buzz with midwinter gifts in full preparation and the evening ended with Easter related movies in the cinema.
Our Field Training Officer Mark planned two day trips for the team to all get a chance to get off station over the weekend. Day one we planned for a 3-4 hour return hike out at the south Masson range. Unfortunately the weather didn’t play to our advantage and we settled for a cuppa and some banter in Rumdoodle hut. The team on day one weren’t deterred at all by the change of plans and there were smiles all round. Every day out exploring in Antarctica is a good day if you ask me.
Sunday morning started off with an Easter egg hunt in the red-shed that quickly turned us all back into wide eyed children. Tyson’s daughter even found some Easter eggs while on face-time. The second field trip took off about 10am for a leisurely tour of the Lake Henderson (with 5 kn of wind, perfect hiking weather some might say). The team came back in the early afternoon buzzing with stories to share.
Easter weekend was a cracking success with everyone refreshed, recharged and ready to get back into the swing of station life on our new home…… MAWSON!!
