Master (pasta) class
Oh, how quickly one’s name comes around on the Station News roster! I guess it’s my turn again ...
With no one claiming to be a genius in the kitchen, together we somehow managed to create a vibrant tapestry of taste and texture that ultimately came together while we learnt and laughed.
The process of making pasta from scratch is always a labour of love, with each person taking on a specific role in the intricate dance of kneading, rolling, and shaping the dough before finally running it through the pasta mill. In the background, the Mawson homegrown hydroponic spices were being used in the making of a fresh and aromatic pork-based sauce, another reminder of the depth of involvement from all members of station!
As the pasta cooked to al dente perfection (in our eyes), the group of hungry station members were already queuing at the counter. Well, not really, but let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story! We all knew that, however this panned out, the pasta would be eaten, but there was more to this than just feeding a station. One's cooking reputation was on the line here. We all knew that a great meal, or even an average one, would be devoured by the hungry mob and then sadly forgotten within days, perhaps by the next morning. A terrible meal, however, would be remembered for a long while!
With each mouthful of pasta and sip of dry red, the station savoured the flavours of their labour and forged bonds of friendship in this icy wilderness of Antarctica. The fusion of multicultural influences, Italian folk music and the shared joy of a delicious meal created a moment that transcended time and space, leaving what we hope will be an indelible mark on our hearts and taste buds alike.
Ultimately, the culinary experience of handmade pasta in Antarctica was not just a meal, but a celebration of diversity, unity and the power of shared experiences. The last notes of Italian folk music faded into the evening, but the laughs, and the promise of many more culinary adventures to come, have lived on.
Then came that mountain of pots and pans that needed washing!
- Franco CAZZOLLI (electrician)
Seals are pupping while we wait for our summering expeditioners to arrive
As Mawson Research Station readies itself for November's impending transition from winter to summer, we find ourselves in a strange place... We know change is imminent, but some of us remain in denial.
For some, change may initially be a hard thing to swallow after existing in an isolated state and being in control of one's own destiny for the last eight months. But with change comes an inevitable vitality boost to the station. Fifteen new faces will soon join our well-seasoned winterers, with many of these arrivals likely to be wide-eyed and bushy-tailed upon arrival... just as we were when we first approached Mawson's shores back in late February.
Of course, now begins the journey of revisiting how to "quietly" close a cold porch door and explaining that the milk jug doesn't automatically fill itself, nor do dirty cups, plates and cutlery wash and put themselves away. Mawson is indeed a magical place (for anyone who watched our mid-winter movie), but not that magical! Learning about community life on station is just part of the deal of being here.
Simultaneous to this, and following on from last week's story, the now much warmer and longer daylight periods promise not only to add new faces to our station's population, but also to continue treating us to returning wildlife around the station's operating area. This includes a group of Weddell seals that have established themselves around 15 km east of station and have since given birth to little furry balls of mischief.
These pups are the quintessence of cuteness (almost as cute as Emperor chicks) and, while covered in a soft, fluffy layer of hair (apparently called lanugo), they are also notably feisty at such a young age. It seems that, just like their Emperor chick counterparts, when they're not sleeping, they're after constant food or attention.
As our station community makes the most of experiencing this latest Antarctic experience gem, we await the influx of our incoming summer counterparts. It's been a fantastic and rewarding winter and, at Mawson, it has delivered right up until the last minute.
Now we look forward to the splendours that summer will offer – and the opportunity to share this with those newly arrived.
- Dave Buller (station leader)
