He left here in March, writing his last report whilst sailing to the Falkland Islands on RRS Bransfield . The twenty three of us staying on for the winter thought it would be nice to carry on his work. This first letter is just introducing people and trying to give a taste of what moving into winter is like down here. All March is one of the most important months at Rothera - the transition from summer to winter. During summer the base is packed with up to a hundred people stretching facilities to their limits.
All accommodation is shared, usually three of four to a room.
People work to a tight schedule as most outdoor and scientific work has to be completed before the weather turns and the last ship comes in late March. The Twin Otter aircraft are constantly flying to remote field parties, and the Dash-7 aircraft making regular trips north to Stanley. With people coming in and out from the field and from the Falkland Islands, Rothera base is like a hotel. This all changes in March as the weather begins to deteriorate and the base slows down for winter. By the end of February all the field parties are back, and the remote stations to the south closed down.