Slow progress

Adelie penguin at Rothera Point

Today has been a lot slower than yesterday, which is good because I have not been feeling 100%. I started the day taking 20 minutes to download a 4MB file which I need for my work. It is frustrating not having a good internet connection, and doubly so because I had not realised quite how bad it would be. Anyway, having done that I had refresher training on how to use the Primus stove and Tilley lamp - our sources of heat for cooking and light/heat in the tent. The whoosh of the Tilley as it lights is very nostalgic for me!

This afternoon I was shown how to drive a skidoo, although I have done this before, and on a much fancier skidoo! (in Spitsbergen) Anyway it was O.K. - as they say, BAS needs to tick the boxes to cover themselves so I am in the process of doing just that. Then I sorted out various techie things to do with backing up my data and making maximum use of the battery on my laptop when I am in the field, with limited charging facilities. There is just so much to think about. I hope I don't forget anything because I won't be able to drive down to B&Q or PC World when I am out on the Lassiter Coast!

The photo above is one of the penguins very close to Rothera station. Today I saw a couple come right up to the vehicles near the beach. I tried to imagine what they were thinking - they seem so inquisitive, but it must be very strange to them to have noisy things around, which move fast on land (not many animals/birds in Antarctica do that).

In a few minutes I will be off to the next meal.....everything revolves around meal times and 'smoco' here (coffee break). We had flapjacks with tea this morning and chocolate brownies this afternoon. I am trying to feed myself up before the lean period ahead (well that's my excuse anyway!).

Bye for now...