summer is here! ARRRGHHHH! the mercury has been climbing surely and steadily into the minus -teens now (and sometimes even going above 10!). the UV rays pouring through the great big ozone hole is relentlessly burning into my fragile skin. at midnight last night, there was still a thin layer of orange light on the horizon wtfff. the Adelies have returned YA ALLAH if that is not a sure sign that summer is here, i don't know what else is.


The first of many little guys to come WHOO HOO!

all this is so exciting but scary! there is now 7 and a half weeks before the ship arrives on station and i'm part excited, part relieved yet part apprehensive. each time i go out onto the ice, i get this wistful longing in me; a feeling that i might never be able to see/do/feel these things again. i guess with time hanging over your head like a doomsday clock, one is bound to feel this way. suddenly i find myself imbued with a whole new sense of urgency and motivation to go out and 'do' stuff. i guess i just don't want to look back upon this time with regret and realise that i spent the majority of my days sitting on a sofa with my laptop turned on staring out the window.


Sunset over Watts Lake.



so, with all this newfound enthusiasm, i went out on a 2-night jolly to Watts Hut AGAIN! it was a lot easier going this time around because there wasn't much snow drifts on the fjords and we could zip our way to the hut with ease and speed. there is really nothing like slipping and sliding over blue ice in a quad to really feel the exhilaration of speed. all 3 of us were zooming down the fjord sideways, doing doughnuts, rings, circlework and fishtails to no end. it was fantastic. driving in a car is going to be so 'meh' from now on.


Crooked Lake apple, overlooking ... CROOKED LAKE!



more exploration of the frozen freshwater lakes behind Watts Hut was to be had when we got there, and when the night became dark enough, we went down to Watts Lake, drilled a hole in the lake ice and illuminated all the cracks and bubbles - it was surreal. what was more surreal, and slightly unnerving, was hearing the ice crackle and squeak beneath our feet. if it wasn't for the fact that the ice was about 1m thick, I would've been a bit worried about falling through.


Lights, camera...ACTION!

i'm gonna make a new pact with myself, to keep my exercising pact company - from this week on i'm going to try and go out for as many jollies as i can possibly fit in! fuck work and responsibilities (ok la, not totally fuck work and responsibilities la, i'll just work and be responsible ENOUGH so that i can go out on jollies without any feelings of guilt), the remainder of my time here and now will be dedicated to exploring this land. work can be done any time, any day and any where, but my chance to explore Antarctica will be coming to an end, and i definitely know which one i want to prioritise.


Proof that there are only two things certain in life: Death and the Tax-man!


Ohai, iz me! Just in case you guys forgot how I look.