Australia Day on Ice.

It doesn’t matter where you are on the 26^th of January if you are Australian.  The day generally involves going to the beach for a swim, a relaxing game of cricket, some lamb on the BBQ and a quiet couple of bevies to keep one well hydrated on a very demanding day.  So while in Antarctica why should it be any different?

It was all smiles before the swim.

The day started with a gourmet brunch prepared by our two fantastic chefs Jarrod and Scott and their trusty sidekicks the super slushies Angela and Maree.  After brunch it was the time I had been waiting all season for… the Australia Day swim.  It is a tradition at the Australian stations to have two dips in the Ocean each year, with the other being the mid-winters swim which is down right ridiculous.  For the mid winters swim a hole is cut into the sea ice using a chainsaw and there is a person on standby to keep the surface water from re-freezing between the swimmers.  Our swim was mild in comparison, air temperature -2.5 degrees, wind approximately 10 knots and the water temperature about -1.6 degrees. 

The look on my face doesn't hide much.

Private Ryan trying to walk on water.

The experience of running and diving into the ocean down here was quite surreal and unexpected.  I didn’t experience any pain or cold from the water but after swimming about thirty metres out to some sea ice the body began to slow down.  After a quick break on the ice and a horsey to get back in the water, I set about getting back to the boat ramp as quickly as possible.  Lucky we had Luke the lifeguard attendant on patrol in case anyone got in trouble.

 Deso Matty and I heading back in.

 Luke the Lifeguard.  Luke experienced issues with body parts as he exited the water.

After a quick warm up in the station spa, it was time to prepare for the afternoon’s cricket match.  The communications team worked their magic and were able to stream Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown across station which made it feel just like everyone’s backyard at home.  The match was to be held between Australia v’s The Rest of the World and was played in great spirit with a little fancy dress thrown in.  I opened the batting and fell victim to one of the local rules, hit it over the red shed and it was 12 and out.  The Australians put on a solid batting performance with the tail wagging madly against a very suspect international attack.  In reply the Rest of the World team, with the benefit of some dubious umpiring decisions, took the chocolates by 70 runs.

Young Cam hitting out.  He looked good so I ran him out.

Anna the Swedish viking.  Fancy dress was taken to a new level.

Young Cam sporting his Poiter haircut especially for the day.  Business at the front, party behind.

The best part of the day was still to come.  Tania had booked to get an Antarctic experience of her own by getting aboard a chartered Qantas 747 from Perth, flying directly over Casey station and down along the coast over glaciers, volcanoes and the usual icy highlights.  It was a goose bump moment when the plane appeared on the horizon and performed a massive sweeping turn above the station.  So near but so far away.

Tania's flight cruising past at 10,000 feet.

The Australia Day festivities continued til late into the evening with a bit of kick to kick of the footy and a chill out on the helipad.  The tunes were still cranking so a few of the girls decided cage dancing was their thing and the boys, well, did what boys do.  Thanks Cam and Tim for another memorable moment for the day.