Annual sea ice run way

Looking down at the runway from my accommodation at Mcmurdo. Only used till mid December as the ice melts and becomes the ocean.

Some laid back take easy style seals sighted while checking out the pressure ridges near Scott's Base. Nothing bothers them to much and it was in the middle of the working week. No stress here.

Pressure Ridge formation directly adjacent Scotts Base.

Scotts Base

Looking back from pressure ridges towards Scott Base with power generating windmills in the foreground. These wind turbines supply most of the electricity to the base.

Me, Webby and Eddie on route to Scott Base which is the New Zealand base. About a 45 minute walk with fast shoes from Mcmurdo. Great company and scenery it does not get much better. 

Standing on Observery Hill overlooking Mcmurdo station. Sat for a while and watched a Hercules come in for landing.

About to descend down a metal tube some 4 meters under the sea ice to a 360 degree viewing chamber with the water that clear i could see the bottom of the sea floor clear as some 25 meters below. Could see plenty of krill but no fish.

Nothing like travelling in style makes you appreciate the finer things in life. Loved it remarkable aircraft very much suited to this spectacular changeable enviroment.

Boarding the Hercules for the first flight for Casey. We flew for about 4 hours close to our destination only having to turn around back to Mcmurdo due to poor visability. As it turned out we stayed at the American base for a few days they made us very welcome.  

Arrived at Mcmurdo was blowing like a bastard and exstremly cold. Welcome to Antatica

Cockpit of the Airbus

What a great veiw of the sun rise.

Finally on our way south

Traveling in style about half way between Hobart and Mcmerdo the American base in Antartica on board the Airbus. The pilots and hostess really made us feel welcomed with  full access of the aircraft and sharing the passion of being involved with this special place called Antatica. I am sitting next to Webby fellow plumber and vetran down this neck woods who has a vast knowledge and many stories to tell. He should write a book.

Pre-Departure Training

Takeing a break during training in Hobart on the weekend just out of town. Now have a appretiation of the great out doors in tassie very clean and unspoilt and the city is just like a big country town. Trained at Kingston 10min from town for a few weeks learning new skills including riding quad bikes, forklift, loader, safety at height, confined space and general inductions to understand the Austalian Antartic Division systems and codes of conduct.

What makes me tick

My three kids Courtney, Aimee and Ryan my jewels

Rock (Ryan) going about his business which he does so well.

Floss (Courtney) at work with me even gave her a pay rise she was such good help.

Aim's (Aimee) my baby smiling for the camera and being her creative self.

Little old me 50 years young still in denial only half way through bring on the next 50 years.
                                   
My Birthday and Fairwell cake which Aimme made.

My kids and inspiration

My three kids at the combined birthday and farewell party at Chalk's place  in September this year prior to my departure to Hobart to undertake training to work in the Antartic enviroment.