Eight weeks ago, I being the eldest on base lowered the flag, as we said goodbye to the setting sun, I wondered how the dark days would affect us. After several weeks of continual darkness, I for one felt the effects of no sunlight, I had trouble sleeping and felt tired with a lack of energy and i was not alone, there were one or two of us with the same complaint.
Jen Doc did have vitamin D tablets for anyone who wanted them, as vitamin D contributes to balancing mood and fatigue and while it is found in a small number of foods the majority of a person's vitamin D comes from the bodies ability to produce it from sunlight.
A lack of vitamin D contributes to fatigue by It's interaction with melatonin, which is a mood regulator that decreases your energy at the sign of darkness to help you sleep. In other words, Increased vitamin D means lower levels of melatonin. The reverse is also true, less vitamin D means Increased melatonin and increased fatigue.
So when it was time for the sun to return, it brought a lot of excitement onto base and also began the countdown to summer when it will be light for 24 hours a day.
Zoe Wareing, our Marine Assistant the youngest member on station, had the honour of raising the flag and gave a short speech with a sun dance to celebrate the first glimpse of the sun.
It is still technically winter in Antarctica and we won't see our first visitors until October when the BAS Aircraft arrive.
That morning was still dark on my way to work, but there was
a red glow just above the mountains
As the light increased the red started to turn gold
The view from the kitchen window was very pretty
I went out on to the balcony to get a better picture
The sky was getting deeper gold and the colours were starting to
reflect on the clouds
Beautiful sky with the crescent moon still in view
As the day continued to get brighter it started to highlight the
mountains behind Admirals
A nice snowy scene
As i was preparing lunch i had to keep stopping and looking
out of the window as the sun was getting closer to showing itself.
Even the clouds were spectacular today
Once lunch was finished, i quickly went to my room to put on a couple of warm layers and started to make my way up to the flag along with everyone else. It was a beautiful day and the sun was gradually creeping above the peaks.
The sun just peeping through a gap between the two mountains
It was a lovely sight and felt pretty good too.
With everyone dressed warmly and ready they headed up to the flagpole
We were all in good spirits with Julie Jen and Maz definitely with
a spring in there step.
For the first time in a few weeks we have shadows
Theresa following the pack with the sun shining behind her
A thumbs up from Will
Rio enjoying the moment
It was like being a child again, when your mother said that you
can go out and play in the snow!
All gathered around the flagpole which has been flagless for 2 months
The golden glow over Rothera station
Paul Samways starts the proceedings and then hands over to Zoe
Zoe welcomes us and reminds us why we are there.
She then gives a short speech
Then places her mobile speakers at the base of the flagpole
turns her music on and proceeds do a sun dance that we all had to join in with, it was great fun
The flag was then hoisted and everyone cheered
Zoe's dance to the sun
Appreciated by all
The flag was then tied off, where it will stay flying over Rothera for the next 10 months
The views were beautiful that day, with lots of natural light and sunlight hitting the mountain tops
We then moved a little further from the flag in order to have the official
photograph taken by Blair, this was because the light and the scenery was better
Lovely view
Once the photo's were taken it was back to NBH to carry on with the rest of the day
As we walked back the sun was starting to go down leaving the sky yellow
Seeing the sun had been a great pick me up and a real energy boost
It was beautiful to see the colours as it set on Rothera again. Only this time we will see it again tomorrow.
The official Flag raising group photo taken by Blair
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