Week 3: Last post Corina

Here my (Corina) second and already last blog from Rothera. I have only been here to help set up and make sure all works and Tristan and Zoi feel comfortable with their scientific activities. The stay was shorter than planned because the flight on the original date was needed to get other people in first, and the original date of leaving changed as the planning of the plane changed. All fine still we thought as I planned a little extra time in just in case (we have done this type of science before ?), but then upon arrival an important piece of equipment, used to count all the fresh microorganisms soon after sampling, had major hick-ups; it showed error message after error message. One afternoon, the machine thought it would be a good idea to freeze –alike the world around it – and I had to contact the manufacturer in the end for help. Because of the time difference, I had to wait. Lucky I, right there and then I was asked whether one of the “Dutchies” (funny still, realizing that 2 of the 3 of us are not Dutch; Tristan having a British nationality and Zoi being Italian) could and wanted join a flight as co-pilot. Putting this request forward to Tristan and Zoi, they came with the response that I should go being here only shortly and in need for a change of view (other than the machine).

I thank them for that still – what luck to join a flight to one of the field stations so soon after being there! Co-pilot does not mean you should be able to fly but it does mean you are joining a trip with only the pilot to make sure there are two in case of emergency (and you have to stay over on the ice for a night or more). Part of the training you receive when arriving at base is to be able to go out of base (outdoors activities, field parties, but also co-pilot duties). There were many flights lately and they were in need for co-pilots.  It was just great seeing part of Antarctica from above – on the way back the weather at Rothera was not good but the experienced pilot flew under the clouds, close above the water and this was in another way a unique experience.

It has taken most of my time at Rothera but we got the piece of equipment to work again smoothly….leaving only a few days to learn the ins and outs of the new software program to run the measurements with and make protocols so Tristan and Zoi know how to work with it without losing precious time.  Because of the time stress in the end, we worked long days and finished yesterday after midnight.  Soon I hope Tristan and Zoi will have a more routine schedule (although this is a relative concept as sampling is majorly dependent on the weather still during these austral spring months) and find time to relax a bit more. Zoi has been able to join snowboarding on the glacier a couple of hours once and seems already addicted. 

On the way to the lodging building yesterday eveninglate (or better this very early morning) the sun lit the surrounding mountains and glacier in a magnificent way!! Hard to describe so I include a photo or two – Gosh, I will miss this play of light on the white surroundings!!