2011 There It Went

2011 has 1 hour and 23 minutes left in her. Holy Cow. Where did she go. She passed me by in a blur and left me windswept and bemused (and slightly confused), standing on the sideline. I feel that, of my nearly 50 years on the planet, this one has gone the quickest, in hindsight at least (at certain times it dragged terribly!!). Here's what I wrote on January 1 this year.

What does the year hold for us? Some of the things on this list are definite, some are maybes and some...well I just hope for some.

-a year in Canada for Drew

-a trip to Korea for Gibbo to meet our customers and see our meat

-a European trip for Meg and Chris and two other friends

-a hiking trip for me, either in New Zealand or Tasmania

-the fruition of some plans we first put in place 9 months ago (which should deliver me the long awaited project I've been looking for)

-a slower pace of life

Let's see what happens!!!

Well we pulled off most of those things. Drew did go to Canada (and beyond) for a year; Gibbo did travel to Korea (and China) to visit customers and see our meat and Meg and Chris did travel the world for four months. I didn't manage a hiking trip but I did ride my bike 600km across a small patch of SE Qld; the "long awaited project" blew up and flew away on us but we haven't given up on it and as for the slower pace of life - well I must have been smoking something when I wrote that. We just got busier as the year went on. It's said that the work expands to fit the time you have available. I'd agree with that. I though with school done and dusted I would have lots of time to pursue my interests....but work got in the way.

I'm not much one for making New Year resolutions. I don't celebrate the occasion. I still have vivid memories of hiding behind the bathroom door as a 12 or 13 years old, crying because everyone (my parent's friends) was singing Old Lang Syne and I found the song incredibly sad and wished they'd all go home.


I asked Gibbo and Meg what their expectations for next year are. Gibbo wants to buy a place of our own (with a house that we can move to) and have a legal beer with Drew while sitting at the bar at Mary's. Meg wants to consolidate a permanent Supervisor position in Toowoomba; maybe buy a house; visit the most northern, southern, eastern and western points of Australia; floss daily; read more books; light more candles; drink more water and take a daily vitamin tablet! My wish is also to move to a place of our own; to walk the Milford Track in NZ and to teach myself to play the banjo following the lessons in the book that Chris gave me. Who knows what Drew's will be - it will probably involved travel but it will be hard for him to top this year, ever. Chris is keen to get the next two years of Uni completed. He's starting off the year on the right foot - he and his father are walking the Overland Track in Tasmania in the middle of January before he heads back to Uni.


This year in review - like every other year it had it's ups and downs. Things I remember the most include:

-the nervous anticipation of Drew leaving

-Drew leaving

-the first five tough weeks in Canada

-travelling to Wylarah for 6-8 weeks with Gibbo

-365ing

-receiving the printed copy of sliprail in the mail

-Goombungee Show

-laughing with Meg

-Meg cooking

-a session with Jill

-3 June birthdays

(no pictures for Drew turning 18)

-chook shows with Gibbo

-Drew going to Chaudiere Lodge

-losing my mind in the Winter but finding it again

-Meg leaving

-Gibbo leaving

-Gibbo coming home

-my bike ride

-Meg's Oktoberfest costume

-Meg driving Route 66 across the USA

-Meg and Drew together in Canada (those photos)

-Meg coming home

-Christmas (and Meg's face)

-Drew leaving for Antarctica

That just about wraps up the year!

Deciding to start a 365 journal in a year where three out of four of us travelled overseas may have been a crazy idea. Although there were times when, combined with blogging everyone's adventures and the regular day to day happenings, I felt like I had a second job (coming home from sitting in front of a computer all day and sitting in front of a computer all night trying to keep up with the blog and the journal) it was certainly worth it. I have a beautiful recollection of all that happened throughout the year, both in journal form and electronic form. When I print the sliprail blog book (two copies please so there's no fighting in years to come) there'll be a fantastic recording of our year, with pictures as well.

I'll sign off now and have a cup of tea before bed. To wind down. To think about 2011.....and look forward to 2012. See you on the other side.

A Lesson in Geography

This trip of Drew's is turning out to be a real geography lesson for me. I didn't know that you could see the mountains of Chile from Argentina. Of course I knew that Chile was in South America and have looked at a map numerous times but the realisation that Chile hugs Argentina all the way down her left side has only cemented itself now that there's a real reason to study the map.

I also googled Drake Passage.....and my eyes grew as big as saucers when I read this!!
The Drake Passage is the stretch of water between the most southerly tip of South America and the most northerly tip of the Antarctic peninsula. It is the place where not only are there high and strong winds that blow most of the time, but where the "Circumpolar Current" is squeezed through its narrowest gap. This is a Westerly flowing current that flows around Antarctica powered by Antarctic winds. It flows at the rate of around 140 million cubic metres (tonnes) of water per second, or the equivalent of 5000 Amazon rivers.

The Drake Passage has been described as the roughest stretch of water in the world, it is what must be navigated when rounding Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego. To reach the Antarctic peninsula it is necessary to traverse this stretch of water at right angles to the current flow.
http://www.coolantarctica.com/gallery/scenic/weather/Antarctica_weather3.htm

Holy crap. The roughest water Drew has been in is the surf at Nobby's!! I wonder how it's going! Someone in Canada must have known something was afoot - he got seasickness pills for Christmas!

It's going to take two days to sail across - TWO DAYS!! He will welcome 2012 on board the ship.
Here's a Wave Height weather map of Drake Passage for Saturday Dec 31 - that pink oval shape in the middle looks a bit ominous!!! If I'm reading the legend correctly that equates to 8-10m waves! Hang on tight Drewy!!
http://passageweather.com/


There'll be plenty more for me to learn about the southern continent before his trip is over.

Hiking in the Hills and Setting Sail Day 4 December 30 2011

Another day gone; they're slipping by! Here's the latest update.

http://www.studentsonice.com/antarctic2011/day4.html

Expedition Update #7 - 9:00am EST
New updates from Expedition Leader, Geoff Green and Outreach/Participant Coordinator, Niki Trudeau December 30


Hola from rainy Ushuaia,


We had a wonderful evening last night which concluded around 11pm with a few songs by Tony (Dekker). A good night's sleep and this morning everyone has just departed for a day hike to Laguna Esmeralda! This afternoon we board our ship and set sail!


Everyone is doing great!


Geoff


December 29, 10:41pm local time


Hello there!

What a day it has been in Ushuaia! Today was packed with presentations, workshops, pod meetings, discussions and a visit to Ushuaia. We enjoyed a delicious asado (barbeque) dinner put on by our hotel staff, followed by a photo slideshow by Mike Beedell and a musical wind-down by Tony Dekker of the Great Lake Swimmers. There is no doubt that visions of Antarctic ice bergs and wildlife will dance in our heads as we drift off to sleep tonight. Tomorrow we set sail for Antarctica!

Today, we also wished Mike Petagumskum, from Kuujjuaq, a very happy 17th birthday!


The schedule for December 30 is as follows:

0715: Wake up
0730-0830: Breakfast
845: Group photo at Hotel Los Yamanas
0900: Depart for Laguna Esmeralda, a lake situated just outside of Ushuaia in the mountains. Students will enjoy a hike up to the turquoise coloured and very chilly mountain lake and on their way will be able to connect with and learn more about the flora and fauna that is native to this land. At the lake, students will have a picnic lunch and might even take a plunge into the stunning, yet frigid water!
1530: Return to Ushuaia & last chance to visit and explore the town
1630: Transfer to the M/V Ushuaia and board the expedition vessel and our floating home!
1800: Set sail down the Beagle Channel!
1900: Dinner
2000: Safety briefing
2400: Begin our Drake Passage crossing! We are on our way to Antarctica at last.
In the expedition spirit,

Niki

Expedition Update #8 - 9:00pm EST
New update from Expedition Leader, Geoff Green


The ship has set sail!


Geoff reports that the students had a great day today. They enjoyed a beautiful hike to Laguna Esmeralda and boarded the ship at 4:30pm. They set sail soon after with everyone out on deck and a rainbow on the horizon! The good karma and excitement is overflowing. They are sailing east down the Beagle Channel tonight and should reach the Drake Passage early tomorrow morning, and then they are southbound for the last day of the year!! The expedition and adventure is officially underway!!

And They're Off

Drew has just set sail down the Beagle Channel in Argentina (6pm local time). In six hours (midnight local time) he will begin the Drake Passage crossing, heading for Antarctica at last!!! Who would have thought, all those years ago, that something like this would happen to him when he was 18?!

On the Ground Day 3 December 29, 2011

More excitement as the group landed in Ushuaia. They explored the town and walked alongside the Beagle Channel - and across the way is Chile!! Drew skyped from their accommodation; he is happy and well and just loving it all.

Updates from the SOI website at www.studentsonice.com/antarctic2011/day3.html

Expedition Update #5 - 9.00am EST
Today, our team of 89 woke up refreshed and rested at the beautiful Hotel Los Yamanas on the shore of the Beagle Channel in Ushuaia. We are in Tierra del Fuego (the land of fire), a land that truly feels like we are at the end of the Earth. 

A few of our bags were delayed in Buenos Aires, so our journaling netbooks have not yet arrived. Followers can expect student journal entries as early as tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Expedition Udate #6 - 4.00pm EST
New update from Expedition Leader, Geoff Green. The team has had a great day so far filled with introductions of staff and students, a presentation by David Fletcher on Antarctica, team-building activities, and much more! After lunch everyone got their new Canada Goose jacket and hat, so they are now looking good and ready!! All the luggage (including computers) finally caught up to them so the students will be able to start blogging to the website soon. Stay tuned! Good karma is abundant. Later this afternoon they will head into town to look around before returning for a genuine Asado BBQ dinner tonight!

That's Chile in the background!!

 
Last night, we arrived in Ushuaia and met the remaining members of our expedition team!

Popping the Cake

Meg made cake pops using the angelic vanilla cake mix from white wings. They were fantastic. I had lots!

When Little People Play

There was constant activity with all the little people here over the last few days. They were well entertained (and entertaining!).

Poofy had the time of his life with all the kids and extra dogs. Here he's getting up close and personal with C.

 Hey Megey, take my pic, quick!!

 There was the thrill of the four wheeler. Here, Gibbo is teaching C how to brm brm it.

 G has a go.

 There was play dough.

 And cake eating..........

 And bathing.......

 And just looking cute!

 And sliding.....

 And playing sillies.........

 And just looking cute again.........

 And cards. Lots of cards.

And so another Boxing Day and Beyond is over. We'll do it all again next year!