It's the end of summer here in Amsterdam, and we're alternating between sunny days and heavy rain / wind. But overall the weather is pretty good and beautiful! I have the opportunity to participate in manipulations all over the island. For example, with Luc and Kai on the Wild Bull slope to check the cat traps. We saw the Pearl cliffs and returned via the Pointe de la Recherche and the seal causeway.
We walked along areas of red earth, lava flows, and seal colonies.
In February and March, we had the visit of two military ships: the Nivose and the Floréal. During the passage of the Nivose, there was an exchange of packages by helicopter.
Photo of our mission at the shed - a small hut located on the base which belongs to the sailors.
During the visit of Floréal, we welcomed the sailors to the base. It was great to show them around.
In return, we were able to go on their ship! It all started on the hold, where we climbed in small groups onto their zodiac (Wow! That was bumpy!)
Then we climbed aboard the Floréal, and had a great guided tour.
It was strange to leave the island and to see it from the sea. As the sailors on board said, when talking about us: "they are only looking at their base. They really love their base!".
We discovered what a military ship looks like, it's super interesting.
Then, at the end of March, the Marion Dufresne appeared in front of the base! This is the start of OP1. We've been on the island for 4 months now, it's going so fast!
The first helicopter flight arrives, the one we most look forward to - the mail!
Then, we welcomed our new cooks and infras, as well as several passengers of the boat who will stay on the base for the time of the OP. All this to the sound of Flo's mythical bagpipe, of course.
Reception at the Skua (communal living building), for security reminders and rules on the base.
Then, for the lucky ones among us, RDV at the post to collect our letters / parcels ... So much pleasure to receive mail !! Hihiii !!
Then, it was time for the logistics operations . This morning, it's the team of "air pumpers" at the helicopter DZ, and Luc as a Darth Vader firefighter.
The playmobil teams alternate in half-days. There was a lot of material to unload and we were all very busy, everywhere on the base. The OP lasted almost a week, and we're all very tired, but we enjoyed it too, especially with these sunny days.
The last day, and it's time to say goodbye to our adored cooks and infra ... A new page has turned.
Before departure, photo of all the members of mission 72! :)
Come on, let's go for the who-is-who, from left to right: - The people standing in the back row: David (infra), Titi (postal manager), Thierry (infra), Jérôme (infra), Pierre (second chef), Freddo (appro), Clément (RN Mamintro), Yann (infra ), Jaja (CO2 air pump), Flo (gener electro), Luc (RN cats), Fred (infra), Manu (infra), Kai (telecom), Hugues (cook), Georges-Marie (infra) - Half-standing in the middle: Colombe (RN Mamintro), Corisande (ornitho ecopath), me, Clément (cook) - The first row: Camille (doc), Julien (security chief), Damien (RN flora), Freddy (chief infra), Marco (garage chief), Joris (electrical engineer and part-time firefighter), Estelle (second cook) , Adrien (infra), Antho (ornitho), Ugolin (RN phylica), Antoine (gener info), Jean-Paul (infra), Lilian (infra), Christphe (district manager) Then, we meet to watch the Marion leave. We will not see her again until September - the wintering begins!