Breaking The Ice

I first experienced the marine team as a group of eight people comprising two of each of the following positions: boating officer, diving officer, marine assistant and marine biologist. Across two short months the old wintering team and the new wintering team handed over to each other. For the new incoming team we had to learn how best to conduct complex polar diving operations in a very short amount of time. The days flew by, as we were tasked with continuing existing science projects whilst pursuing new ones.                Exploring the local dive sites with the outgoing Marine Biologist, Joe Marlow. Our offices are spread across diverse locations: at the southern end of the station in the  Bonner Laboratory , in the boat shed and, of course in the Southern  Ocean! Typically we start our day with a morning boat briefing  at 08:30 where we discuss the weather trends for the day  (wind speeds, wind dir...

Since writing my last post, a wonderfully active and intense summer season has ensued. Living on a research station with your colleagues is certainly a unique experience; the days are vibrant and there is always an activity going on. Contrary to what I thought life might be like in Antarctica, I seem to experience FOMO (fear of missing out) more than anything! First, the most frequent activity of the day is, of course, meal times. This is a fantastic opportunity for all walks of station life to come together and share their daily experiences. I continue to be astonished by the array of food that the kitchen produces. Falafels, polenta, courgette, banana curry, luxury ciabatta sandwiches, pain au raisins and melon.... the flavours are constantly bursting and the food choice changes daily, we are certainly spoilt! At the peak of the summer season, there were roughly 110 people on base (depending on who was out in the field), with only three chefs who   altern...

 I have been at Rothera for just over a month now and I certainly feel as if this is my home. It is quite wonderful just how quickly a new place and lifestyle can become your new world!  I'll start from my arrival. I vividly remember our final day on the JCR as our team stood on monkey island and Rothera station came into sight. We excitedly watched as the wharf came closer and closer and orange blobs emerged. The current wintering team had positioned themselves around our landing point and were waving us in. I felt a mixture of emotions; sorrow as an epic journey and life at sea was coming to an end but overwhelmingly excited to take my first steps on Antarctic 'soil' (anything below 66.33 °  S is officially considered to be true Antarctica).   Finally, we were arriving at our home for the next 15 months!  Ryan, the Marine Assistant, and I leapt off the ship and excitedly bounded up the path to the main building: New Bransfield House. ...