Well I have barely had chance to write anything this last month, due to a busy visit from Grandma and various other lame excuses.
Winter is now upon us here in the South Atlantic and we have had one main snowfall bringing a covering of about 3 or 4 inches and one major wind storm damaging one of the buildings here on base. Generally though the weather has been pretty benign and not unlike a UK winter. In between domestic and community activities I have been helping out with a habitat survey of the base, an unpaid endeavour to keep my hand in and help them achieve some understanding of which areas might be of interest conservation-wise and where invasive species might be a problem. The families' polytunnel is now assembled and internal plots have been allocated. We are now starting to furnish it with tables and growbags in readiness for the next growing season.
The Chilean volcano has produced an ash cloud which meant the MOD is nervous about flying the usual twice weekly airbridge, as the planes only have 2 engines. Unpredictable Antarctic weather currents make it difficult to forecast when a window in the ash is large enough to fly down here, turn it all around and fly back again, a process that takes up to 24 hours. Because of the disruption we went 2 weeks without post and access to fresh fruit although we managed to stave off boredom and scurvy with a trip to the capital for the midwinter swim when Big Man joined other lunatics for a dash into the icy surf, and then pretty much straight out again. The atmosphere on the beach was jolly and convivial, with bonfires raging in oil drums and hot food stands. Needless to say the military personnel here on short tours made up a large element of the numbers, as presumably locals all did it and got the t-shirt (literally) many moons before.
Our diet has become a little less healthy what with the lack of fresh produce but we are managing to provide enough fruit and veg from frozen and tinned. Retro puddings are often on the menu in our house; jelly with tinned peaches and evaporated milk for example!
The winter solstice (shortest day/longest night) 21st June began with a happy morning in our house as I realised the monkey had slept her first 12 hour stretch without assistance. It was a beautiful sunrise as if almost to mark the occasion.
A plane finally came in Thursday this week bringing fresh supplies and post, as expected the families shop was then reminsicent of Moscow circa 1983 with an undercurrent of grim determination and a long queue. It was a timely arrival though as this week a few people celebrated 'FIXmas' - a midwinter celebration to help us through the long nights and dark mornings. Several parcels arrived ('ho ho ho') bringing toddler craft materials and even a few toys for me. We were invited to a neighbour's house for a turkey buffet and drinks. It was even approaching a white FIXmas with a light coating of frost on the ground in the morning.
