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1. Too hot for a thermal suit

2. John packing equipment

From: Graham Quartly
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 17:50
Subject: Getting ready

The time has come again when a group of oceanographers migrate south for the winter. But we're not in search of warmer climes - we're off to Antarctica!

When I went last year, we had a week's delay in the Falklands. This gave us the opportunity to visit some penguin colonies. We saw these birds ambling around on a warm sunny beach instead of on snow.

I'm hopeful that there will be no delays this year.

Today is my last day in the office at the National Oceanography Centre. There are 6 of us on this trip: Mags and I are physical oceanographers with nearly 20 years experience; Mike and Ross are experts on micro-plankton that form the base of the food chain; John and Matt are PhD students - new to the challenges (and joys) of real sea-going oceanography. I've asked Matt and John to be the regular correspondents; they will see things from a fresh perspective, unlike us jaded hacks who think we've seen it all before!

In two days time we'll all be flying down to the Falklands (courtesy of the Royal Air Force), and then the intense preparation work will start.

There has already been a lot of activity getting ready for this cruise. In the past few months everybody has undergone medical checks and had "Sea Survival Training" (which is about coping in the event of an emergency).

We have also gathered together protective equipment - hard hats, working boots and some lovely, thick thermal insulation suits. This, along with all the scientific equipment, was boxed up and put on the ship in September, before it left the UK. When we join the ship in the Falklands we'll find out whether we packed enough pencil sharpeners or balls of string for tying things up!

That's enough from me for now. I've still got to do my personal packing and make sure I have enough clothes for any eventuality.

Graham