Update

Such a lot has happened since my last post.  I will try and update as much of my experiences and thoughts as possible.  All posts may, however, not be in chronological order. 

 I have just returned from a Cat train.  As probably mentioned before that involves heavy strong agricultural vehicles pulling cargo and transporting passengers over the ice at a snail's pace.  The purpose was to take the last summer personnel and cargo back to the ship. Seeing that this was the first Cat train for our team as the people taking charge it had a different flavour to it.  Personality clashes, that was easy to ignore up until now, became a bit more pronounced.  With the weather not allowing things to go as planned our trip also took much longer than was anticipated.  So hard work, hard conditions and a lot of waiting had to be overcome and it put some strain on us as team more specifically the 6 that went with.  I do think, however, that some bridges between us as members are now stronger than before but on the other hand some divides seem bigger than was thought.  Division in our team will be a huge downer on what is otherwise a very special experience.  


So, reading between the lines you probably gathered that the days of isolation started.  We are now 10 people in SANAE.  With the Agulhas not able to reach the ice shelf due to 12 nautical miles of bay ice the cargo and passengers (in groups of 5) were flown off to the ship.


It was quite a reality check to see very competent people that have done so much work around the base leave and realising all that work is now on your plate.  It was also hard to say goodbye to some people that you started befriending.


That moment when we are left alone on the ice was something we discussed while still in Cape Town and I really dreaded that feeling and thought the enormity of it might be frightening.  It was quite a moment but I was also surprised how quickly one can grow accustomed to something.  All the terms and concepts that seemed so foreign 3 months ago are now my current normal.