The Antarctic Chef's Blog: Trip to Lagoon Island

It was at Sunday brunch that Adam asked if i fancied a boat trip to Lagoon, as there was an available space on the boat going to pick up James and Paula, who had just spent a Saturday night in the hut on the Island. I jumped at the opportunity and arranged to meet at the boat shed within the hour.

It was a beautiful day with low cloud, calm waters and a good scattering of icebergs. As i walked to the boatshed i could see the crane being prepared to lower the boat into the water.
I made my way to the dry room, picked out a boat suit and lifejacket and quickly got changed.

Once on the wharf I waited while the final preparation and checks were made and just marvelled at the scene of low cloud, floating icebergs and the islands in front of me.

When everything was ready, Adam hoisted the boat off it's trailer and swung it over the side to be lowered, guided by Gerritt one of the Dutch scientists.

The boat is slowly lowered onto the water watched by gerritt and Jack, who along with Adam, will be my crew mates for the afternoon.

Once the boat is on the water Gerritt climbs down the ladder to board, which is probably the most dangerous thing they do in boating.

Adam checks to make sure everything is ok!

With everything in order Gerrit unhooks the crane and gives the signal for it to be raised.

With the boat secured safely to the lines we all make our way down the ladder to join Gerritt.

Adam is the last one onto the boat

With everyone on board, Adam calls the opps tower with all the information they need. The time in, people on board, destination and time of next call with updates.

Once Adam had taken the boat so far out he let Jack have a go at driving.

Not a bad place to drive your first boat!

We spot seals on icebergs, so Jack slows down and we quietly move closer.

Adam and Gerritt observing the seal

This seal is a crabeater with her pup

With their attention drawn to the boat, a slightly nervous crabbie watches as we glide past

With no alarm bells ringing she lies back down to bask in the sun, but keeps an eye on us.

As I look back at base, it is a completely different view from the ones i am used to with the mountains rising majestically over Rothera, enforcing the fact that i am in a very remarkable place, doing very remarkable things. All we need to see now are Orca, but no luck yet!

As Rothera gets further away and smaller, the whole of Marguerite Bay opens up and you start to get the scale of this vast frozen continent and the speed at which things happen. It was only 8 weeks ago that all this ocean was thick and solid with ice, preventing ships getting to us.

As we get closer to the islands the glaciers in the area stand out and become more impressive

Still with low cloud and very still waters we cruise around an area that is known for Orcas to feed in the hope that they may appear

But still no sign of them, they have been seen a few times this season, but not by me. Yet!

Whales or no whales, the scenery is breathtaking

Whatever angle you look at it from.

Then you get the Icebergs that are just perfect immense blocks of ice that have been carved by mother nature into floating masterpieces that you never tire of looking at.

We spot another Crabbie and drift nearer for more pictures

It was a perfect day for the colours of the ice and water

This Crabbie was perfectly happy just basking

And did not pay us much attention as we circled the ice it was lying on.

So cute as it looked up for a photo, it had obviously just eaten.

With Jack still at the helm, we finished taking photo's and set off to pick up our two castaways on Lagoon

As we approached the inlet to the island, we were greeted by a colony of Adelie Penguins, which was the most penguins i had seen this season. They were all on the rock with none of them in the water, this was pretty sensible as there was a fur seal swimming around in anticipation

We eventually got to where James and Paula had spent their night. As we came in to the beach they were ready packed and waiting for the lift home. The setting was stunning with the hut surrounded by nothing but Snowy Mountains, Southern Ocean and Elephant seals. 'Big ones'!

James is our Field Operations Manager, who is responsible for co-ordinating, delivering the field season in Antarctica and assisting in planning the forthcoming season. Paula works in the Opps Tower as Comms and both have very demanding jobs, this season has been no exception with the amount of field parties, air traffic, ships and boats. Not to mention the added pressure of Halley and the redevelopment of Rothera, these two really deserved their night away from base and what a location to spend it.

They both looked very relaxed and pleased to see us, Paula told me that they had a very good meal last night and thanked me for sending them off
with some very nice ingredients including some freshies for her to cook a lovely intimate dinner for two.

We got the boat in as close as we could as they waded out to meet us.

Adam asked if any of us wanted to go ashore to have a look at the hut while we were there, this was a good opportunity for those that had never been to Lagoon. I voted to stayed on the boat as i had seen it before, but Jack and Gerrit went for a wander.

While the two lads went ashore, we loaded James and Paula's gear into the bow of the boat and waited for Jack and Gerrit to return.

Gerritt taking pictures amongst the Ellie seals.

The Hut

Inside the hut, showing the bunks, next to the washing and cooking facilities. The reflex being the same heating and cooking system as Fossil Bluff

The food storage area

Looking back towards the boat from the hut, with the resident Ellie seals on the doorstep

Always nice to see them as a group.

All back on board it was time to start heading out, Adam asked if i wanted to take us back to base? As i have my level ll powerboat licence i did not refuse. Once the kill cord was round my leg i started the engines and maneuvered back into deeper water where the engines could be lowered and we could start heading back to Rothera.

Once in open water and away from the ice i could open the throttle and enjoy the moment

As we powered up i was in awe of my surroundings, aware of the freshness filling my lungs with every breath, the icy breeze wrapping around me and the clicking of my camera constantly in my face, as Paula was acting as ships photographer for the entire journey.

Nice pictures Paula!

We took a wider route on the way back, coming into Rothera from a different side, avoiding quite a lot of ice. The sculptures of ice that we passed were still very spectacular.

A great shot by Paula, the only problem here was i couldn't see where we were going, as she was stood directly in front of me.

She had to get one of James in an Antarctic pose, but then James looks good in any pose!

Impressive Berg

Coming into Rothera, having to concentrate docking against the wharf. It was a pretty good manoeuvre even if i say so myself.

Once safely tied against the side we could all exit the boat by climbing the ladder, which is no mean feat. Here it is Paula's turn to climb.

Safely up and out, only Gerrit to go after he has secured the crane hooks to the boat. It is then hoisted out of the water and back onto the trailer.
Once we have washed our boots in a chemical to stop contamination, we are free to get out of our boat suits and make our way back to New Bransfield House, where we tag ourselves back into base, then off for a shower before dinner.