So here it is Thursday afternoon and I haven't uploaded Icy anews! I'm a rubbish photographer and havent taken any pictures myself but there have been a few posted on WhatsApp to our Mawsonites group - plus Sophie just walked past the door and said she would send me a few....
A sort-of time-line then of the past two weeks....
The Adélie chicks made an appearance on Bechervaise Island just before Christmas. Beche is about 2 kms from station across Kista Strait to the north of us. Horseshoe Harbour and the strait are still sea-ice and although this is now decaying and becoming water sauturated there is still over a metre thickness and we can walk - carefully - over to the island to visit our two seabird researchers Madi and Ben. They are now effectively isolated on the island until the ship arrives and collects them in three weeks time. The 24 hour sun and daily katabatics are hastening the sea-ice decay so we are making the most of the final few days to visit, deliver extra fresh water, hydro-salad and fresh scones plus give them a hand with deploying trackers on adult Adelie penguins.
Then there was Christmas. Take a look at our program and menu. A day with very few parameters. Just great people, an out there Father Christmas, thoughtful gifts and, thanks to our chef Mikey, heaps of delicious food. Enough in fact to last several days...
New Years and we are into 2025 already. Since the summer team arrived there has been a lot of sounds happening down in Biscoe House, one of the old station buildings that has now been repurposed to house all our band equipment and is a welcoming place to while away the time if you are musiically inclined, or not. Just before New Years Eve the posters went up informing us of the event. New band 'Business Goose' would be playing a one evening only concert at Mawson in the Red shed Lounge.
Think I should take the time to explain the name here - we had this in a quiz recently - 'What does the Chinese for penguin translate as' - the answer 'Business Goose' makes sense really doesn't it (goose in a suit).
Well the fans/groupies turned out - in fact the total Mawson popualtion of 30. The evening was tense with expectations. They delivered and more - a fun evening was had by all. Even a guest appearance from 'Sophie and the Degenerates' featuring a cavorting satyr to show the summer crowd what the winter had to offer.
Thanks team - loved it all - especially seeing you all have such a good time.
The ship is due around the 22nd January so now it is packing UPE and preparing for the arrival of the 78th ANARE and their fuel, food and cargo for the next year.
Welcome to 2025 from Mawson
Ali
Mawson Station Leader
