Pseudo-summer soiree

With the recent short days and wintery weather conditions, the troops here at Macca felt a touch of something summery was in order. Ever obliging, the Brits scheduled a few rounds of Wimbledon for our entertainment.

I really needed no more encouragement, and having already shipped ample supplies of Pimms (perhaps having preconceived the idea in Hobart), recruited our resident Pom, Jez Bird, to the organising committee. 

Not realising Wimbledon was in July (who knows these things) we had a slight social calendar clash with half the station, including myself, partaking in Dry July. A Wimbledon afternoon with no Pimms really wasn't an option, so I used my doctorly powers and determined that abstinence could be given a rest for the day.

Having taken care of that, advertisements were posted, quiches were made, and a ban was placed on any use of hydroponic cucumbers for a week prior.

With everything primed and ready, the only minor hiccup was getting any actual Wimbeldon footage to watch… Thwarted in several attempts, in the end we settled for watching YouTube highlights of the historic 2008 Men’s Singles Final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Never mind, it was mainly about the cucumber sandwiches anyway.

The Macquarie Island social calendar is so tight that ample advertising of any upcoming events is a must

Station Leader, Ali, makes an impressive cucumber sandwich. And look at how well the hydroponic cucumbers are faring!

Danielle lends a hand plating up cucumber, blue cheese and maple walnut bites. Pretty much everything else was pastry-based.

The long-awaited Pimms and lemonade

An afternoon tea fit for Wimbledon: caramelised onion and brie tarts, cucumber sandwiches, mushroom vol au vents, blue cheese and maple walnut pastries and cucumber slices, strawberry cupcakes, and plenty of Pimms and lemonade

Jez and I celebrate a successfully executed soiree

The carbohydrate-loaded treats prove popular

And everyone settles in for an afternoon of drinking and eating

And of course there was a spot of tennis watching

Midwinter at Macca

Midwinter's Day is a big deal in Antarctic circles. For most continental Antarctic stations it marks the mid-point of the year away, and the slow return of daylight after several weeks or months of continual darkness.

Things are a bit different here at Macca. Firstly, as our changeover occurs in March, we are really only 3 months into our year here. Secondly, we never lose the light and our shortest day is still about 6 hours long.

However, we aren't the sorts to turn down an excuse for some fun, so June the 21st was celebrated just as heartily here on our wee island.

First up was a memorial service video-broadcast from the Australian Antarctic Division Head Office in Kingston, Tasmania, to commemorate all those who have died while working in the Australian Antarctic Territory. Macquarie Island features quite highly in these statistics - its high cliffs and treacherous terrain mean we have the highest fatality rate out of the four stations. We are certainly hoping not to add to that anytime soon.

After that we braced ourselves for the midwinter swim - as the station is on an isthmus we do two 'swims' - one on the west beach and one on the east. A 'dunk' might be more accurate. We also have the added possibility of curious elephant seals or hunting orcas, so have to have several lookouts placed to ensure the waters are clear.

After a quick spa to warm up it was straight onto a hearty brunch, with enough calories to last us the rest of the week...Although of course we didn't have to wait that long, as our wonder-chef Annette put on a 9-course degustation meal in the evening. I'm still getting over it.

Finally we wrapped up the day with a variety show, karaoke, and a screening of the 1983 version of 'The Thing' (an Antarctic thriller). Every bed on station was still empty at 2am.

A midwinter's celebration that will be remembered for a long time.

Hard at work, the met observers still have to do a morning balloon release on Midwinter's Day

And they're off! A lovely sunny day for Macca, but still only 3 degrees celsius and reasonably blustery. I had to wait until the end to do my swim, just in case a medical issue cropped up...

First was beach on the west side of the isthmus

And then a long cold run over the black sand to the other side

And then the eastern side beach - a bit more treacherous with lots of slippery rocks, and a spectating elephant seal or two

Ranger Chris and me waiting patiently for our turn to do the swim. A young elephant seal takes the day's activities in her stride.

Then straight to the spa - it's really just a concrete hole in the ground we fill on special occasions, but it did the trick all right!

Part one of the brunch spread - homemade breads and danish pastries, mango chia puddings, salmon, banana loaf, and various cheeses (quite ripe by month 3)

And Danielle putting the finishing touches on part two of the brunch spread - eggs benedict and florentine, quiche, home made baked beans, sausages, and black pudding with tomato salsa

And then after not enough time at all, onto our formal dinner - Ali (our station leader) leads proceedings

Colourful canapés

Fine Macquarie Island vintage wines

All hands were on deck for plating up

Fragrant coconut lemongrass soup with tea-smoked salmon (or tofu) and kaffir lime leaves

Champagne risotto, crayfish, peas, basil oil and preserved lemon

Roast lamb loin, soft polenta, rocket, parmesan, aubergine caponata

Jez decides 9 courses is just not enough, and chef Annette obliges by bringing out some extra potato galette. He lived to regret it.

And finally onto the evenings entertainment - Danielle and Norbert perform the very weather appropriate 'Singing in the Rain' 

Chris H does a rendition of Banjo Patterson's bush poetry but with a workplace health and safety twist. Angus obliges as his assistant. 

And this years rendition of Cinderfella brings the house down (I may or may not be far-left)

The very happy Macquarie Island family
Back row from left: Jez (PhD student), Rich (field training officer), Greg (plumber), Chris B (diesel mechanic), Pete (electrician), Ali (station leader), Chris H (Tasmanian Parks Ranger in Charge), Angus (meteorological technician), Norbert (communications technician), Tim (carpenter and trades supervisor)
Front row from left: Annette (chef), Vicki (meteorological observer), me (doctor), Vicki (meteorological observer)