This morning after breakfast, a zodiac took us over to Damoy Point, to hike over to a hut that was established in Nov 1975. The hut operated from 1975-1993 and provided shelter for operators and scientists traveling to and from Rothera (Station R) and other BAS sites, especially when ice prevented access by sea. Proposed for demolition in 2007, the hut was saved and designated an Historic Site and Monument No. 84 under the Antarctic Treaty System in 2009. It has been under UK care since October 2009.

We emerged from the zodiac and did the drill…scoot to the end of the zodiac, swing your feet with heavy boots over, step into the rocky water’s edge, and then make your way to land. We’re getting pretty proficient at it.
Going up to view the Penguin rookery and the hut was a bit of a challenge as you climbed icy “steps”, but there were people there extending a helping hand along the way.
We trekked over to view the rookery, and then over to see the hut, which was being painted.
On the way back to the zodiac, and descending over the icy steps, I said to the guide, “I’m going down like an old lady! Oh wait…I AM an old lady”. He responded, “Noooo!” I wasn’t sure whether that Nooo meant he didn’t think I was old or whether he meant, Noooo… not ANOTHER old lady to help down!! Lol

When we got back to our ship, I pulled my camera out of the case to take a photo of the decontamination system for our boots that they have, and Allan saw my key card fall out, and as luck would have it, it fell between the grids. Time stopped!! And then one of the crew took two sticks to fashion chopsticks, and carefully plucked my card out. My hero!!! We walked through the decontamination wash and then were greeted with some mulled cider, and a nice warm cloth to wipe our hands with.

After lunch, we took advantage of the launderette and washed our clothes. We loaded our clothes into the washer, and then, we pushed the button to start the cycle. In order to fill the machine with soap, there was a sign on the side that said “Press here”, to allow the soap to go in. Nothing happened. We pressed again and still nothing, although our machines were filling with water and tumbling. We called down to the desk for help, just as a lady came in who was already doing her wash. She showed us the button to push. Duh! It was nowhere near the sign that said push here. Oh well. We pushed the button and the suds immediately started to emerge. Yay!

Tonight it’s dinner at The Restaurant with friends.
Just as an aside, the crew is amazing. They know our names and greet us wholeheartedly every time we see them.