Friday 26th May 2017 marked the sundown at Rothera, this is where we lose the sun for a few weeks and our winter officially begins. Every sundown there is the ceremonial lowering of the Union Jack to commemorate the occasion, which is always done by the oldest on base and this year happened to be me. I was asked to say a few words or write a poem, sing a song or dance a jig, whatever i felt comfortable doing that would be suitable for our situation as winterers working at a research station isolated from the world with no natural light.
It was agreed a few days ago that the lowering of the flag would happen on Friday 26th as the weather would be calm enough for us to gather at the flagpole to hold this ritual. It was to be at midday with lunch after which was to be finger food served in the bar, this meant a busy day for me prior to the event. So the day before i prepared cold meats and sandwich fillings, made finger rolls, sausage rolls, quiche and vol au vents etc which made the next day possible for me to leave the kitchen. The day started dark and gradually got a little lighter, there was a lot of low cloud and i didn't think we would see any colour that day, but by 11:30am there was a splash of orange just above the mountains as we made our way to the flag.
Shades of Orange in the distance
View over the bay as we walk to the flag
Getting lighter, but very overcast
A grey sky as we congregate at the flag
With low cloud and everyone gathering we start preparations
The flag looking a little bit worse for wear having been flying
constantly through Antarctic weather for the last 10 months or so
Once everyone was there, Paul Samways gave a little speech about how we are very privileged to be part of a winter team and that with the dark nights ahead we need to look after ourselves and one another. He then gave everyone a glass with a dram of whisky before handing over to me for the main event. I started by saying a few words and went on to read a poem i had compiled, before lowering the flag.
Paul Samways the Winter Station Leader addressing us all
I lower the flag with no problems
Once the flag was down Blair took the official photograph
The Winter team at sundown, with the flag that now gets put away to be raffled at a later date. A few weeks from now, approx mid July the sun rises and the youngest on base gets to raise a new flag. Zoe, our Marine assistant will have that honour
My Poem
Sundown
We Wonder why, when you say goodbye
Beautiful colours paint the sky.
Shades of Orange, pink and blue
all come out because of you.
Although we hate to see you go,
we really do enjoy the show.
I have seen you leave so many times,
and it is still a favourite sight of mine.
But this time as you disappear
It's not just the dark you're leaving here.
As the shadows on ice exchange with colour of light
so our winter begins and we prepare for the night
With the light and flag both coming down
the darkness cloaks in grand surround.
The loss of landscape beyond compare,
our solace in humanness we share.
Twenty two companions cut off by ice and snow,
supporting one another and helping friendship grow.
With every sunset different, no two ever the same,
this one here and now is ours and forever shall remain.
So as Antarctica freezes with total lack of sun,
I have twenty two good reasons why our winter will be fun.
So let's raise a glass to flag and sundown
with a toast to us all and to new friendships found.
With that, we all raised our glasses drank a toast and made our way back to New Bransfield House where a finger buffet lunch and champagne was waiting. Everyone was given the afternoon off in order to enjoy the rest of the day and to reflect on where we were and what was happening. Dinner still had to be prepared and Matt Bell the Genny Mech had offered to do fish friday for me, so i was able to enjoy the afternoon too.
Rio and Mabell clearing the empty glasses and debris
the walk back to NBH, still low cloud
Finger food set out on the pool table in the bar
with a few Nachos, nuts and guacamole scattered around
Michael Bell (alias Mucky) enjoying the afternoon
It was a good afternoon with a lot of chatting and socialising, films were being watched and table tennis was being played and people generally happy to be doing what they wanted.
The next day was a Saturday and i had a day off, with Ben Robinson our Marine Biologist being the chef on duty. He was doing an Italian theme so after a few pointers and some choice ingredients, i left him to it and went for a wander round base as the light was much better than the day before.
Here, Maz our Meteorologist and assistant winter station leader
is off for a run up the ramp and along the flagline ( completely nuts)
The sun still showing colours, although the sun is not seen
Maz on her way to Admirals
It looks pretty covered in snow
View of the tower
Pancake ice forming in north bay with colours of the setting sun
beautiful colours from the window of the dining room
This was approximately 12:30pm
The scene changes from one minute to the next
Low cloud cutting across the mountain tops
We are making the most of the light, it won't be here much longer
The Italian night was a success with quite a few people getting dressed up in Italian flags or coming as the Mafia with wooden made guns etc. Ben did a good job of the food, with Foccacia bread and Antipasti to start, Calzone as the main and a Panna Cotta with Raspberries for dessert and Limoncello to finish.
Seven weeks into our winter and the mood is still very good with everyone getting along very well. It will be interesting to see how things go when the 24 hour darkness hits. I myself have not had a problem with the dark, Jen Doc has been offering vitamin D tablets should we need them. Although we are still doing very well for fresh vegetables, i have not yet started using any frozen ones and we still have fresh apples and oranges that are very good and will probably last another month or two?
I am now starting to think about the mid winters meal, which is only 3 and a half weeks away and my winter gift that has to made by then. I am sure something will come to me before then!
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