Living at Davis

It’s hard to believe I have been in Antarctica for more than a month now.  Waking up opening the block out blind in my bedroom and seeing icebergs is my new normal.  As I’ve slipped into my new life I have been a bit slack with updates but I promised first impressions so here goes.

Davis station is called the ‘Riviera of the South’ and I have to say it is quite beautiful.  There are really only three colours here – white obviously with lots of snow ice and clouds, blue sky and water (not much of either at the moment) and brown land.  We are located in the Vestfold Hills which is more than 400 square kilometres of rocky coastal hills next to the most spectacular Sorsdel glacier of which I have been lucky enough to fly over. Flying in Antarctica might just be a post on its own.  

The only pop of colour is the station buildings.  Green is for the main living and sleeping areas and is also for the ‘green store’ which is what I like to refer to as the local Myer where we get our supplies but is actually more like a strange combination of Costco, Big W and Bunnings.  Yellow is for the operations building which is where my office is, Red is tradie land and blue is ‘don’t go in there without an electrician or Bureau of Meteorology people’.  There is also a science building, a field store, a hobby hut and the ‘pineapple’ which is where the budding musicians find themselves practicing.   This place has quickly become home for me and 41 of my new closest friends for the next few months of summer when we drop to 26 for the winter.

I’m sure you are all wondering how cold it is and I can tell you right now it is around zero degrees but the wind chill is -10 degrees celsius.  When the sun is out and there is little wind it is just lovely and all you need is a jacket, sunglasses and sunscreen.  When the wind picks up the beanie and the gloves come out for sure.  Its fair to say my fashion choices have shifted towards comfort and warmth and away from…well…fashionable 😦 My ugg boots are officially the most worn shoes here.  Lucky I have another 2 pairs coming.  

We keep our outside gear in the cold porch and its important to label your stuff as we have all been issued the same clothes.  I managed to ‘lose’ my jacket in week 1 only to be returned a few hours later the scientist who wears the same size.  Others have had boots go missing.  Seriously who wears someone else’s shoes without realising???  It’s not uncommon to see boots and jackets with different electrical coloured tape, ribbon or cable ties attached in an effort to identify what is yours. 

To help me not lose things in future one of our very talented chippies Lucas made me a ‘station leader hook’ with a little shelf for my beanie and sunglasses at just the right height for me. All the shelves were definitely built by someone more than 6ft tall. A few days later a plate appeared with my name on it from legend Dieso Brian!! I feel very spoilt and must admit sometimes it’s just awesome being the boss.  

Our chef keeps us happy and mostly healthy with his culinary daily delights.  Official meal times are 10am for Smoko (yep still called smoko) 1pm lunch and 6pm dinner while its make your own breakfast.   Sunday is catch n’ kill day where we clear out the leftovers fridge.  There is no lack of sweets with a whole table dedicated to chocolate. Ice-cream, chips, biscuits and other snacks are all available 24/7, a dream and a nightmare all in one.  

Evenings and weekends are a mix of social activities.  We have a large living area with a pool table, dart board, a cinema, a library and a bunch of board games.  We have a bar but we are largely dry for now until the ship arrives with our resupply in February.  I thought I would definitely struggle without my regular wine after work but have surprised myself.  Don’t get me wrong I’m as keen as others for my stuff to arrive and I look forward to Nina’s being in full swing!! Loads more to report and don’t worry I haven’t forgotten about she-wee….