Antarctic Summers: Delayed Christmas Day

Due to possibly the longest re-supply in Australian Antarctic history (17 days), Christmas Day of the 25th of December had to be postponed to another date. So due to the transfer of fuel and other operational committments, the bar was closed for a couple of days. I can honestly say I have never had a cup of milo on a Christmas Day until the 25th December 2011!!!

How the bar looked on Christmas Day 2011,

and on Boxing Day for that matter!!

During re-supply all names of those who would be on station for our Christmas Day, the 30th December, were placed into a container and each individual had to select a name and that person would then receive either a made or bought gift. By doing this, it allowed everyone to receive at least one gift on Christmas Day.

I personally brought down a Pashmina scarf which I had bought in Kabul and was lucky enough to draw one of the women to whom to give my gift - not sure what one of the tradies would have thought if I had given it to him, but anyhow it didn't happen.

Having had played the role of Father Christmas twice at Casey before, and once on Macquaire Island, I had offered my services prior to departing Hobart for Casey if they were required. So it came about that I again played the role, with two willing helpers as my elves and five trusted reindeers to deliver me to the red shed.

Father Christmas with Reindeers and Elves

Prior to our Christmas Day, one of the first things we did as a group was to take the station Christmas picture to send to family, friends and the other Antarctic continental stations.

A right motley crew - Casey 2011/12

Note the day we held our Christmas Day - 30th December .... was followed the very next day by New Years Eve (another blog) .... so it was evident that the body was going to have to deal with a liquid diet in some form or another.

Once re-supply had been completed and the ship departed, the three chefs were busy preparing the Christmas dinner.

Adam, Gavin, me and Lesley

Obviously catering for more than 70 people three chefs are not enough to complete all the required tasks, so many willing and able volunteers came forward to assist in the preparation. The kitchen was abuzz with activity - setting up the prawn and fish platter, oysters, ham and turkey and preparation of all vegetables.

Christmas Dinner - 30th December 2011

Prawns on ice

Besides these tasks in the Kitchen, the Wallow was required to have all tables and chairs moved from the mess and set up in the alternative location. Table clothes, wine glasses and cutlery were added in anticipation of the feast to come.

Dining tables set for Christmas dinner

Tradies and Chef

And of course there had to be a table (our pool table) set up for desserts and Christmas cake. Chef Gavin put together clouded cakes in the guise of the station buildings that are here at Casey. A good job achieved for it being realistic to the real thing.

Chef Gavin with 'Casey Station' in front of him

Dessert table - Christmas pudding came out later

But of course none of this happened until the old bloke with a white beard and red suit arrived to pass out the gifts to everyone. With the help of his Elves everyone received a gift. Some would sit on Father Christmas's knee, others were a little shy and accepted their gift standing and with a hand shake.

But most opted to sit on his knee for a small chat. And of course, there were some who weren't given the opportunity to choose between standing or sitting to receive their gifts and had to sit on his knee.