Camping in Style

Off into the field soon so went out to try out the tents. They are a lot more solid than they look but they weigh around 80lbs so not much use for backbacking. Just be on the safe side we camped out in the back garden (the base is just around the corner!)



The wind got up while we were out there but once you realise the tent is going to stay put you can relax and get a brew on. I shouldn't talk about this since I'll probably get thrown out of the 'Hard Anarctic Explorers Union' but camping here is probaly the most luxurious camping you'll ever do. The sleeping bags are so warm you could sleep out on top of Everest, wearing boxer shorts and still have to unzip it because you're too hot. Underneath there is two huge mats as well as a sheepskin rug which you can just see under my left hand.




And with your cup of tea you need the morning paper too. The relative importance of different bits of news is a bit skewed down here.....

AntarcticaAir

The highlight of last week was probably (actually definately!) hitching a flight out to the refueling station at Fossil Bluff.

Antarctic Birthday

Off for a few birthday beers but first here's a few pics. I took the one below on the way out on to the sea ice. The two dark dots on the right side of the 'berg are weddel seals. The ice is starting break up now. soon this will just be sea with a bunch of icebergs floating around.




And here's a closer view of the afforementioned seals. The ice was about 70cm thick but with some pretty meaty cracks mainle due to the action of the tide. Obviously falling through these would be a bad thing in capital letters so we have to wear these dapper dry suits.



And a sunset one too.......



Heres to another year!
Cheers

Destination: ROTHERA

Finally flew down to Rothera yesterday. This was my first view of an iceberg. It's in the bottom left of the pic. The difference is that it's surrounded by sea ice so I'm not sure if it counts as a 'berg or not. The co-pilot was unaware of the 5-second rule so I managed to steal his seat and took pictures like an american tourist on speed.

My hoose for the next year and a half! It's the most spectacular place I've ever been by a factor of lots. Not an accolade given out lightly after living in Bethesda for the summer.... I took this one staggering back to my room after a couple of welcome beers. At 1am......




Went out for a cruise in the 'cat this afternoon. The peaks in the background are in fact islands surrounded by sea ice. Which won't last much longer with the heat today - I was stripped down to my last fleece. Sunburn is a real issue too since there isn't an ozone layer above our heads.