Live from Antarctica: Sunday November 30th
Some things seem completely hermetic to change. The fact, for example, that the weather is always nice during the week, whereas the week-ends are drizzly, grey and cold. Well, replace drizzly and grey by a blizzard and whiteout, and you'll have it.
A day of rest it was, apart from some die-hards working inside the station and the base camp manager who's never off duty for sure. However, the planned medical evacuation exercise was called off: no need to have everybody running around in the blizzard unless it is really necessary.
Considering the weather, there's not much to tell regarding the big project. So here is some small-talk: the chef is riding a creative wave, making us benefit from the fact that there are a relatively small number of us here. Yesterday's dessert was a freshly baked puff pastry filled with pears and surrounded by a lovely dark and rich chocolate sauce. Tonight's supper will be "canard à l'orange". The Belgian base is building a reputation among the feeder flight pilots for its tasteful and hospitable kitchen.
Nathalie Pattyn
Picture: Backside of the Princess Elisabeth Station - © International Polar Foundation