mid winter festivities

Just some of the films on show on a film day. The whole day is dedicated to films, oh what fun...popcorn, lemonade and sweets on sale in between the shows.





A crazy golf competition within the building. All course hand made as well as the clubs. All holes par4 or less, no handicaps or caddies allowed on the course at the time of play. Strict dress wear must be adhered. On completion of the course the score cards must be handed in at the bar.
























whatever will they think of next!!!!





The evenings entertainment. The local and talented Z for DEAD. mark, lead singer and guitarist, alex on bass, dean on the drums and dave the guitarist and songwriter. All songs copyright and attention to sound details prohibited.

next showing tbc. book your tickets in advance they are selling fast.


Right, lots of festivities happening for the mid winter week. The lunch midwinter day starts off with a run around the laws building. Most people decide to go naked although nothing is compulsory. Its just a festival time and a tradition. Its only about 100 metres but at -30 the pull of cold onto the lungs give a sharp treat to the system. The other parts of the body take a little time to warm up afterwards. There is no call for a second go. Once is enough i assure you. Everyone is accounted for and any parts fallen off picked up to be put back in place on later.

mid winter

MID WINTER BEGINS


This is a time when all of the bases on the Antarctic share midwinter greetings and messages. There is also a 30 minute BBC world service midwinter broadcast for all of the BAS bases delivering midwinter greetings from family and friends along with a music selection from each base. It is a turning point for those staying for the year, a mark thats been reached and passed. The warm weather and light nights will soon be arriving, or at least that is what we make ourselves believe. A nice happy shot of the group in front of the bar just before the meal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/midwinter_broadcast.shtml

Champagne and h'dourves for starting the evening. The food is only just beginning. There were about nine courses, all absolutely tingling the taste buds. A few people but on a few kilos over the week, shown in the weight watchers club. James, jules and chris are behind the bar guarding the rich pickings.




The table is set for the 18 guests. The green cloth is laid and the candles lit. The placing as per usual on a first come first served basis although everyone now has certain areas or positions on the table that they deem as their territory. Trespassers not welcome.






One of the desserts.

A carmamelised compote of pineapple with coconut tuile biscuit with a strawberry tart tatin.





As always after large meals and crackers and party hats and jokes the table gets a little messy. We all have to clean it up afterwards though.








A chance to let the vocal chords feel the chilled night air. A sing song on the laws platform choreographed by tamsin and alex.






After the food, their was brandy, furry hats, cigars and a pipe to tell a good ole yarn about the good ole days when ther was no communication with the outside world for 18 months and definately no blogs. How did they survive? On this day of midwinter cheer it was only -27oC but black, total darkness, covered the land apart from the few lights from the nearest buildings.




The next thing on the agenda was the unveiling of the presents. At the start of the year you drew a name out of a hat. You then you had to make them something for their winter present. Roughly about 4 months to come up with an idea and implement it. The presents were placed in a corner and opened one at a time. Its a delight seeing the expressions on the various faces. The whole present idea seems easy enough, not...Many nights towards the end where spent on the presents, stress levels and expectations were high.


The winter presents.
A great variety and a great collection....i think everyone is relieved to have handed something over and grateful to have received something in return.
Glad we don;t have to do it again at xmas. For all of those at home and abroad send presents and gifts to the usual address ;-). And please not that post is always slow going out and can often get lost.

a frozen hair day

Alex, kirsty, tamsin and me with wet frozen hair at -40.
Who needs hair gel?