Port Lockroy Update
Season preparations - July 2010
Although as we write this, it is mid-summer with the sun shining and
temperatures soar at around 30ºC, the 2010-2011 Port Lockroy team
has already begun thinking about what has to be prepared for an
exciting season down south. There is much to consider, all in its
own good time, from the question of restocking the ‘fundamentals’
that will allow us team to live a simple yet comfortable life on
base, to the reconstruction of the Nissen Hut, and the transformation of Bransfield House’s bunk
room from the team’s modest living quarter back to museum space. As
always, our thoughts are also venturing to the protection and
preservation of other historic buildings on the Peninsula. Everyone
is very much looking forward to a productive season and rolling up
their sleeves to get all the work done!
The set-up for year’s much anticipated
Port Lockroy team selection meeting had a refreshing (and
challenging) new angle. Next to the regular interview, Jim Oakley,
Tudor and Rachel Morgan, Anna Malaos and Nikki Rickett set up a
variety of different exercises for the interviewees. These
exercises, both group and individual, were designed to assess the
qualities typically needed for the work at Port Lockroy. Just to
give you an impression of the process, an array of activities were
set out over two days at Kingcoed Farm, focusing on various
practical abilities, collaboration, communication, trust,
confidence, team work, patience, safety, dealing with numbers,
logical thinking, etc etc. The activities started with the task of
setting up a large unfamiliar tent with the six interviewees who
didn’t (yet) know each other, and the fun continued from there....
Further highlights involved venturing across the duck pond on a
home-made raft, and rescuing radioactive waste (cleverly disguised
as some old paint pots!). Thanks to all involved for not only
making it a fun selection event but also for leaving room for those
involved to get to know each other. Great Job!!! The privilege of
being part of this year’s Port Lockroy Team will be with Hen (Helen)
Joannidi (GB), Hannele Luukkainen (FIN), Ylva Grams (NL/GER), who
will be joined by Nikki (Nicola) Rickett (GB) as Team Leader. Nikki
has already spent a summer at Port Lockroy two years ago, and is
itching to head back for another amazing four or so months with Hen,
Hannele and Ylva! At the beginning of the season this team will be
strengthened for a short period of time by Tudor, Liesl
Schernthanner and Mike Powell in order to add the finishing touches
to the reconstructed Nissen hut, as well as other key maintenance work
at Bransfield House, in order to ensure its preservation. Liesl and
Mike will then move on to other UKAHT projects on the Peninsula,
amongst which is the hut close by to Goudier Island, at Dorian Bay.
However not only are the regular
activities at Port Lockroy planned but also additional conservation
work at the other huts will be undertaken. The ‘Detaille Team’ will
be focusing on essential work to the UK’s historic bases; including
Wordie House in the Argentine Islands (close to the former Faraday
station which is now Ukrainian base Vernadsky) and for the last and
main part of the summer on the remote southerly Detaille Hut. This
incredibly experienced team will consist of the Dave Burkitt, Liesl
Schernthanner, Mike Powell and Anna Malaos, who are charged with
completing the pioneering restoration work. It is an exciting time
for the Trust!
With the team selection now complete,
Tudor and Anna headed off to the IAATO meeting in Italy; an
important chance to liaise with members about the upcoming season,
whilst catching up with old acquaintances again. The mutual aim of
IAATO is to ensure the protection of the pristine nature of
Antarctica, and at the same time making visitors aware of the
fragility, history and beauty of this continent.
After the initial excitement, updating
of friends, family and work colleagues (!), you may wonder what has
been happening so far with the new Port Lockroy Team? After having
heard the great news of our appointment, we all agreed that seeing
each other prior to the training week would be very valuable in
order to bond more as a team. Since we are spread over three countries
this was a particularly nice ‘challenge’. We took advantage of this
situation (any excuse to travel is a good one!) and met privately in
mid-July for a fantastic weekend in Helsinki. Hannele arranged
everything perfectly (thanks!!). We got a glimpse of the city and
the surrounding beautiful area but also submerged ourselves in
discussions about what still has to be arranged before going south.
The newcomers received tips and a few helpful pointers from the
‘oldie’ (Nikki). We also practised making friends with local
wildlife (some very friendly and hungry squirrels) and took a
(not-so-polar) plunge [at 30ºC ;-)] in preparation for our
experience down south. It was a truly inspiring weekend. After our
return home, stock lists were provided to us by Tudor which helped
to clarify some questions from our discussions from Helsinki. Just
to give you a glimpse of the extent of the stock lists which are
prepared each season, we received an excel sheet 12 pages in length,
with an average of 170 items per list - resulting in around 2000
items listed! Phew! Each list had various detailed columns e.g.
stating previous stocks, used stocks, and required provisions, their
location and very valuable additional remarks. Compliments for the
preparation!
Meanwhile, back to the here and now;
sitting here on a Sunday morning, drinking coffee out of a Port
Lockroy mug and writing this first blog of the season just
incredible and only serves to heighten the excitement; it is all
part of the pre-departure pleasure. We can barely believe our luck
and the adventure that lies ahead! Keep following us as the days
and weeks count down to the big journey to our future home on the
ice; we continue to look forward to carrying on the invaluable hard
work of the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust, and the amazing
teams that have had the privilege of spending such a treasured time
on this special island that is Port Lockroy.
Nikki, Hannele, Hen, Ylva
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