15/12/08
Davis station. Located on the coast of the Vestfold Hills in Princess Elizabeth Land of East Antarctica. Davis is the largest of Australia’s Antarctic stations and will serve as my base for the next three months.
An extremely short helicopter ride (up and down) got me off the ship and back on station. Not a lot has changed in the two years since I was last here. Although I do have my own private cell this time and, of course, there are a whole heap of new people. Out of the 90 people on station, only five are repeat offenders from when I was here in 2007. New people means new rules (or interpretations of rules) and new social challenges.
This time around there seem to be a few too many people working out how things operate as they go. The current atmosphere appears to be one of strictly policing minor rules and misdemeanours while large scale offences and corruption go unpunished. A bit like the way Australian police officers revenue raise with minor traffic violations, inductions and forms are collected like signs of activity. An induction and signing of a form is required for just about every conceivable activity, including driving a car or using the gym. Of course, once the form is signed and the necessary box is ticked you can do just about what you like.
Despite the ship visiting station twice in a month, rationing is already underway for meat, chocolate, muesli and various other standard items. For people working away from home in a remote environment, food is a vital element in maintaining a positive mindset. The poor resupply is a terrible oversight. Despite being on a continent of ice, there is also rationing of water, until the reverse-osmosis machine is fixed. Three minute showers, twice a week is the quota. There seems to have been a much greater emphasis on the bar this season. That was until they drank the home brew dry. Now they stand around in the bar with confused looks on their faces wondering why the taps are dry.
There are an abundance of tradesman this summer season. They seem to have become the dominant species on what is probably promoted as a scientific research station. Their numbers are swelling as they work away on projects which appear a little unnecessary, such as buildings to support more tradesmen. The way it looks, they just keep on building buildings to replace buildings they will later knock down to put up more buildings? Jollying also seems to be a priority this season. Getting the tradesman out and about is the main focus. I guess if they don’t finish building their buildings that will give them more reason to come back again next season.
Due to the absence of a tick in a box, I am required to undergo three days field training, despite having spent more time in the field than a penguin two years ago. No field training has restricted expeditioners to station limits, preventing people from enjoying a run or walk until that box is ticked. The hampering of exercise is another big no no, in my book, as I see exercise as another critical element to mood. So I am off on field training for a few days. It’ll be good to get out for a walk and I'm already looking forward to getting off station.
