Introduction
The Journey South
Further South
Into the Ice
Icecliff Landing
Arrival at Base
Huskies
Wildlife
Sledging Trips
Relief of Base
Photo Gallery
Early Exploration
Contact and Links


Life on Base

Life on base during the dark winter months was limited to taking regular meteorological readings throughout the day, feeding the dogs and cutting snow blocks to be melted in indoor tanks for water. When the weather permitted the opportunity was taken to exercise the dogs or explore the local area.
  Cutting snow blocks for water   Meal time on base   Taking met readings
  Cutting snow blocks for water
 Meal time
 Taking meteorological readings
  Life on base   Sea starting to freeze   Scrub out


Life on an Antarctic base in the 60's was palatial compared to the conditions endured by Scott and Shackleton some 50 years earlier, but decidedly primitive compared to the standards experienced by personnel wintering today, some 40 years later!!
Heating in the living huts was by coal fire, and the cooker was similarly fuelled. Food on base was all dried or tinned but fresh bread and cakes were baked daily.

  Sea freezing - pancake ice   Mid-winter's Day party 21 June 1964   Winter scene of base

As winter approached pancake ice indicated that the sea was starting to freeze. It wouldn't be too long before we were sledging on it! Mid-winter’s Day on June 21 heralded the end of the worst of winter and the approach of summer and was the social highlight of the year. Christmas would see very few people on base with field parties scattered far afield in the height of the Antarctic summer.
Summer returns Puppy at kitchen window Playful husky
Summer returns at last HP sauce hasn't changed much in 40 years! Forever playful
  Sledge repairs
  Sledge repairs in preparation for summer trips


All photographs are scans from personally owned slides