This morning I had my final delta training. I’m now officially a delta driver and leader for trips out to Cape Evans. So stay off the roads!
Leaving the delta I headed over to Skua. Skua for those not in the know is a ship container sized Sally Army Store. It’s a place where people leave items that they don’t want to take north with them. We are free at any time to hunt through the piles of gear and equipment, and take away what we wish. As they say, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. The name comes from an Antarctic bird that looks like an overweight seagull with a tan. They’re scavengers at heart.
I was visiting Skua today for some vital bits of gear. I’m on a mission. I’m pimping out my pad, so to speak. Read on.
I room with 3 others. I’m on a bunk bed, sharing with another firefighter. To limit disturbance, I am sleeping on the floor and Angie has her part of the bunk above. I have decided to build a cosy little nest for myself.
To my delight I find some thick rope, a wooden shelf, a sheet and some old shower curtain hangers. Perfect.
4 hours of blood sweat and tears later. Kiwi Cave was born. (naming rights belong to a friend of mine Zach)
She’s a beaut. I have a multi layer shelf where my laptop sits beside speakers previously Skua’d by my friend Keri. The sounds are perfect for watching movies. I have a target game positioned on the roof for that “can’t sleep” entertainment. Some glow in the dark stars above my head for nigh time authenticity, a wireless remote in hands reach to “change channels”, a stubby holder, some plastic flowers, posters on the wall, and for the grand finale; some Christmas sparkly white lights.
Now that’s what I call pimped out.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
MR & MRS SMITH - monday 5 november
Work day today.
I'm on tanker with Thomas, so it's Mr and Mrs Smith riding up front. She's a machine and carries 3700 gallons of water.
Monday checks this morning which involves checking and testing every item on the trucks. After lunch we drove around town doing a famil of the buildings. At 7pm 3 of us headed out in ambo down to the gym to play volleyball. The fire service has a team in the league. Our first game and we drew VMF (vehile maintenance facility), the problem is that these guys fix our trucks when they brake down. We let them win.
I'm on tanker with Thomas, so it's Mr and Mrs Smith riding up front. She's a machine and carries 3700 gallons of water.
Monday checks this morning which involves checking and testing every item on the trucks. After lunch we drove around town doing a famil of the buildings. At 7pm 3 of us headed out in ambo down to the gym to play volleyball. The fire service has a team in the league. Our first game and we drew VMF (vehile maintenance facility), the problem is that these guys fix our trucks when they brake down. We let them win.
Monday, November 5, 2007
SCOTTS 1912 HUT - sunday 4th november
Excited. Trip out to Cape Evans today.
This is where Robert Falcon Scott built his hut during his South Pole traverse expedition. A prodigious feat.
21 of us loaded up all our gear and jumped into the back of delta Dawn for the 1.5 hour trip out.
We stopped along the way because of a seal sighting. She'd popped up from a hole and seemed to be basking on the sea ice under the bright sun. We noticed a small blood trail and think she is about to give birth. Out came the SLR!
The landscape is incredibly vast, it's pure beauty. I tried to capture some shots to really reflect this. Words don't seem to do it justice. Hopefully I can portray it in photography.
I was snap happy and took around 300 shots throughout the day. Hopefully I can sell a couple once I return. Earning a buck or two will help pay for my thousand dollar lens!
Scott's hut was extraordinary, but at the same time a little eerie. It felt like we were somehow disturbing the past. Entering what should now be left to rest. It was a once in a lifetime experience though that I'll never forget. The detail is just amazing. Preserved. It's like Scott, Ponting, Bowers, Wilson and co will be returning for "a warm brew" any minute now.
The tins of pure preserved cabbage sit patiently on the shelf. The mugs lay rusted but ordered on the wall. The lantern on the table waits the striking of a match.
Now this one's for those teachers that punish students for scribbling on their bunks whilst on school camp.
Unbelievably there is an inscription on a bunk from RW Richards. Written above his bedding reads;
August 14, losses to date...
On individual lines below it lists those that have perished on this expedition. He even marks down Shackeltons name with a question mark next to it.
An astonishing find.
I feel incredibly privileged.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
I FORGOT......I WON!
I can't believe I forgot to mention. I won one of the cards at bingo. Super stoked.
It is important to note that earlier this evening I had been out trick or treating with friends. I was still wearing my crazy bit's and pieces costume. So, jumping up and down with excitement I headed to the front of the bar to claim my prize. Everyone was cheering "yeah lizzie" then keish, the presenter shouted "oh it's Lizzie's birthday" to which then everyone in the room errupted in singing happy birthday to me. After turning strawberry red I realised I still had a "it's my birthday" hat on. D'oh. Oh well a birthday at home and a birthday in Antarctica sounds pretty good!
I won a scott base cap and some possume gloves - rather ironic, but ever grateful.
As I mentioned above a group of friends and I hit the dorms trick or treating. I was loaded with toilet paper, just waiting for someone to refuse giving up there prized candy......but to no avail. Everyone was more than forth-coming.
Dowering into our goodies bag at the end of the night revealed;
16 x pieces of candy
1 x shampoo bottle
12 x cans of beer
1 x cigar
1 x tampon
1 x firefighting quiz sheet
$2 in numerous coins
6 x crystals from texas
1 x cupcake
1 x gadget for opening boxes
1 x used shaver
and numerous shots along the way
Brilliant.
Friday, November 2, 2007
ICE TOWER - saturday 3 november
Today I’m out at station two until 8pm.
The wind was still blowing her best this morning. I took some great video footage of the snowdrift above the ice.
The day started with the usual truck checks although things proved a little harder in these windy conditions.
Sitting alone against the runway lays our air traffic control centre, or tower as they call it here. It's rather small. It seems almost a complete replica of the Lego air traffic tower I helped my nephew Robert build back home before I left. I can't help but chuckle. I can just visualise these little Lego men inside sitting at their little Lego computers.
Fortunately today though I got to visit inside the Lego tower and can confirm that there are no yellow folk present. Just some super cool guys who are sicked about planes.
I quizzed them till the cows came home. I learnt that these massive air force c-17 planes weighing in at 265 tonne only need a minimum of 1.7m in thickness of the ice to land. (It currently sits at 2.5m thickness). Every hour of flight in a c-17 they burn $5,000 usd in gas. Last year there were 430 C-130's missions throughout Antarctica and 57 C-17 trips between Christchurch and mcmurdo. I also learnt that the reason the planes can't fly here during the winter is because once the ambient temperature drops below -50.c the hydraulics on the planes freeze even whilst in operation. They have had an emergency winter landing here before to which they ran gasoline down the sides of the runway to create a visual for the pilot. The twin otter planes are used in these rear cases.
I also discovered that because we are below the 60th parallel our airport runs on the North grid, so effectively the South Pole is in the north direction.
Lamb for dinner. Not for me though. I thought of the boys back home on station; I reckon they've been eating that every night ever since I left.
I played Scott at darts. 16 games. kiwi won one. yeah. I can only get better from here in.
It's 10pm. I'd better hit the hay and rest up for tomorrow's adventures.
See you see you.
The wind was still blowing her best this morning. I took some great video footage of the snowdrift above the ice.
The day started with the usual truck checks although things proved a little harder in these windy conditions.
Sitting alone against the runway lays our air traffic control centre, or tower as they call it here. It's rather small. It seems almost a complete replica of the Lego air traffic tower I helped my nephew Robert build back home before I left. I can't help but chuckle. I can just visualise these little Lego men inside sitting at their little Lego computers.
Fortunately today though I got to visit inside the Lego tower and can confirm that there are no yellow folk present. Just some super cool guys who are sicked about planes.
I quizzed them till the cows came home. I learnt that these massive air force c-17 planes weighing in at 265 tonne only need a minimum of 1.7m in thickness of the ice to land. (It currently sits at 2.5m thickness). Every hour of flight in a c-17 they burn $5,000 usd in gas. Last year there were 430 C-130's missions throughout Antarctica and 57 C-17 trips between Christchurch and mcmurdo. I also learnt that the reason the planes can't fly here during the winter is because once the ambient temperature drops below -50.c the hydraulics on the planes freeze even whilst in operation. They have had an emergency winter landing here before to which they ran gasoline down the sides of the runway to create a visual for the pilot. The twin otter planes are used in these rear cases.
I also discovered that because we are below the 60th parallel our airport runs on the North grid, so effectively the South Pole is in the north direction.
Lamb for dinner. Not for me though. I thought of the boys back home on station; I reckon they've been eating that every night ever since I left.
I played Scott at darts. 16 games. kiwi won one. yeah. I can only get better from here in.
It's 10pm. I'd better hit the hay and rest up for tomorrow's adventures.
See you see you.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
YOU GOT MAIL - friday 2 november
YEAH. I got mail. YEAH YEAH YEAH. Thanks pops for the Milo and Faith for the incredibly awesome Milo poem that is now on my wall. Thanks Nigel and Jennie for your travelling postcard, it looks nice and warm. I also got the invitation to one of my friends wedding. WICKED. Mail is like gold down here. Apparently there is 20,000 pounds of box package mail sitting in chch waiting to come down here. Flat mail, such as letters or anything posted into one of those big envelopes from the post office gets here super fast. Dad only sent that package on the 24th and it's already here. Unfortunately I’m still waiting for my firefighting uniform to get here, which was sent to chch from the states in September.
This morning I had delta training. I got to drive the beast around to practise for the trips I’ll lead out to cape Evans. What a blast. This thing is SO big, her wheels are over my head.
The arvo has been spent cruising and chatting with friends. Typing on the computer, and reading my lovely mail. Hint hint.
It was lovely to talk to hubby for a while today, and Cam too. They're getting ready to head over the hill to martinborough for a good friends wedding. I've sent them a telegraph from Antarctica to read at their wedding. Hopefully they think that's pretty cool.
I ran up the ridge track too. It was so incredibly windy. Now I though Wellington was windy but that is nothing compared to the gusts we get down here. I wish I had my camera to video. I was leaning over 45 degress and the wind was holding my body weight up. Incredible.
Tonight I had more delta training then watched a video with some friends. I have my first trip to Cape Evans this Sunday,
SWEET AS.
This morning I had delta training. I got to drive the beast around to practise for the trips I’ll lead out to cape Evans. What a blast. This thing is SO big, her wheels are over my head.
The arvo has been spent cruising and chatting with friends. Typing on the computer, and reading my lovely mail. Hint hint.
It was lovely to talk to hubby for a while today, and Cam too. They're getting ready to head over the hill to martinborough for a good friends wedding. I've sent them a telegraph from Antarctica to read at their wedding. Hopefully they think that's pretty cool.
I ran up the ridge track too. It was so incredibly windy. Now I though Wellington was windy but that is nothing compared to the gusts we get down here. I wish I had my camera to video. I was leaning over 45 degress and the wind was holding my body weight up. Incredible.
Tonight I had more delta training then watched a video with some friends. I have my first trip to Cape Evans this Sunday,
SWEET AS.
PUMPKIN PIE FOR DESSERT? - thursday 1 november
On shift today. I'm riding engine one.
At breakfast this morning i unknowingly sat next to a lady called Ann Curry who is the presenter on the US today news show. Fancy that, here I am chatting away about vegemite or something to a lady who is known by millions! Brilliant. It was only when she headed off to get a coffee that I was enlightened on her status.
So out came the camera. Someone famous and myself in Antarctica
This morning at work we did some ARFF rescue training, preparing ourselves for any future in-flight emergencies.
After lunch we headed over to the 15 million dollar science lab for a familiarisation tour. What a great building and much used facility. I was even fortunate enough to visit the aquarium. The seawater temperature here is around -2.c. Divers have reported seeing distances of 200-300 feet, since the water is so clear. The fish are incredible. I took some video of them swimming around their tank. They surface the water and make bubbles; I couldn't believe how long they kept their heads out of the water. I was also fortunate to see some core samples from a depth of 300 feet, to which they have found organism and readings from up to 10 million years ago. It takes so long to drill here. First they have to drill through the frozen ice layer, then through the depths of the ocean to reach the floor bedding.
The afternoon brought some blasting. This is the most efficient way of moving the thick solid volcanic rock base here. Apparently they're making way for a new fuel tank.
Dinner was amusing. I picked up a piece of what I thought was like a caramel cake for desert. It turned out to be pumpkin! Much to my amusement I learnt that this is how americans eat their pumpkin. In a pie for desert with ice cream and whipped cream. I politely took a bite and muttered "mmmmm yummy" then slid it over the table for my friend to eat. You gotta try everything once right. The guys thought it highly funny that we eat it with our dinner "you know meat and two veg" I explained.
At midnight we had a firecall to the boldering (rock climbing) cave. The chalk dust used in climbing had activated the smoke detector. I was fast asleep and once at the call I got a rude awakening by trying to get some tools out of the truck then realising I had no gloves on. No gloves on in Antarctica is bad news.
At breakfast this morning i unknowingly sat next to a lady called Ann Curry who is the presenter on the US today news show. Fancy that, here I am chatting away about vegemite or something to a lady who is known by millions! Brilliant. It was only when she headed off to get a coffee that I was enlightened on her status.
So out came the camera. Someone famous and myself in Antarctica
This morning at work we did some ARFF rescue training, preparing ourselves for any future in-flight emergencies.
After lunch we headed over to the 15 million dollar science lab for a familiarisation tour. What a great building and much used facility. I was even fortunate enough to visit the aquarium. The seawater temperature here is around -2.c. Divers have reported seeing distances of 200-300 feet, since the water is so clear. The fish are incredible. I took some video of them swimming around their tank. They surface the water and make bubbles; I couldn't believe how long they kept their heads out of the water. I was also fortunate to see some core samples from a depth of 300 feet, to which they have found organism and readings from up to 10 million years ago. It takes so long to drill here. First they have to drill through the frozen ice layer, then through the depths of the ocean to reach the floor bedding.
The afternoon brought some blasting. This is the most efficient way of moving the thick solid volcanic rock base here. Apparently they're making way for a new fuel tank.
Dinner was amusing. I picked up a piece of what I thought was like a caramel cake for desert. It turned out to be pumpkin! Much to my amusement I learnt that this is how americans eat their pumpkin. In a pie for desert with ice cream and whipped cream. I politely took a bite and muttered "mmmmm yummy" then slid it over the table for my friend to eat. You gotta try everything once right. The guys thought it highly funny that we eat it with our dinner "you know meat and two veg" I explained.
At midnight we had a firecall to the boldering (rock climbing) cave. The chalk dust used in climbing had activated the smoke detector. I was fast asleep and once at the call I got a rude awakening by trying to get some tools out of the truck then realising I had no gloves on. No gloves on in Antarctica is bad news.
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