Somehow, I Survived to 30

The past couple of weeks has been full of fun, silliness and sadness. I spent another day chasing after fur seals and putting tags on them, taking DNA samples and micro-chipping, although this time we were more interested in the juveniles and adults . I was doing a great job at trying to get bitten... Last Monday we said a very sad farewell to Dean. If you check out the last item in the most recent Icy News you can even see me playing the drums (I'm buying a kit when I get back) - and yes, I'm wearing a Fez.

I ran away from station last Wednesday with Belinda in tow. We walked the length of the island over two days, but spent the entire time on the south bound leg in fog with about 40 metres visibility. On the Friday the low cloud cleared for some lovely photographing weather, which I left Belinda to do on her own and a great walk up to Green Gorge with the occasional snow shower. Windy Ridge lived up to its name in rather formidable fashion. At Green Gorge we were joined by Dana, Claudia, Julia and Stumpy and treated to a fantastic scallop soup with plenty of laughter afterwards. Who could ask for more than wine, women and song for a birthday?

On the Saturday (my birthday) I stayed in and around the hut the whole day and at times had the whole place to myself. Dr Eve dropped by while on her way towards Waterfall Bay and Pete K dropped in on his way back to station. Dana had left for another hut that evening and Belinda returned to station. Over the day, Claudia, Stumpy and Julia returned to the hut and Tom and Dan joined us for the evening - more wine, more song and wierd and wonderful discussions on life the universe and everything.

Sunday had the most appalling winds for my walk back to station. After a slow start to the morning with pancake breakfast at around 10am, I waited for a little gap in the weather and started the trek back at around midday. Around 4hrs later after battling 40kt winds with gust around 55kts (and being blown off the track a couple of times) I arrived back to a welcomed shower and relaxing evening. A thoroughly enjoyable birthday.

Stumpy cooking up a storm

Belinda taking in the amazing stories from a magazine recently donated from a tourist ship

Dana waiting patiently for dinner

Mmmm, scallop soup

Julia serenading Thylacine

Everyone made me laugh while doing the nightly radio sked. Note the cordial wine on the table

Thylacine was having a great time out

Belinda got the pampering for my birthday... why doesn't this surprise me?

Keeping Busy

There's many things to do to pass time in a place like this: practical jokes on fellow expeditioners; going into the field and enjoying the scenery; conversing with the wildlife (especially on the beaches); play badminton or pool or some other sort of sporting type of activity.

I've done all these things and more while down here, but a couple of weeks ago I started having a little play in the chippie's workshop and made a chess board. Now, what to do about the pieces....

At 480x480 it's kinda big