The Sun Sets on a Summer Season

Saturday the 8th of April saw the Ernest Shackleton tied alongside the wharf, against a beautiful backdrop of the setting sun over Rothera Research Station, for what was the last call this summer season. Sunday the 9th she would be casting off in the morning bound for the Falkland Islands, taking with her the last of the remaining summer staff. With all cargo safely stored and Rothera staff having had their safety brief and been allocated cabins, the night was now for the in coming winter team with the traditional meal on board to mark the start of our winter.

While all 22 of the winter team dressed in smart attire made their way to the ship to be wined and dined, the remaining summer staff were left in charge of the base giving them plenty of time to put into action the pranks and jokes they had been planning for us over the last few weeks, another tradition with the outgoing winterers. 

All we could do was enjoy the evening and the company and to make the most of the ship's facilities while we had the chance.

The Shack with the sun setting over Jenny Island

As the night draws in the colours get deeper

 Waiting to be called for dinner on board

We had a lovely meal on board and after a couple of drinks from the ship's bar, we made our way back to base in order to have a drink and to say goodbye to the guys that were going the next day.

The first thing that we came across was that all the coat hooks in all the boot rooms had been removed and hidden. In the dining room all the cutlery had gone missing, the doors had been removed and hidden from the toilets, the pool table had no legs, our personal mugs had gone and all the toilet paper was missing. That was only what we discovered that night which was only the beginning, when i was ready for bed i had a drink from the juice dispenser which was flavoured with chilli powder. I went to bed with burning lips, as i entered my room i discovered the electrician had rewired the light switches to all the winterers rooms so the lights would not go off.... Oh joy! 

I had a good sleep despite the light but was anxious to find what else would be waiting for us?

You only have to look around you though and the sights that we see on a daily basis puts everything into perspective, I'm loving my new winter home. Especially now we are down in numbers!