Post the Fifth

Swim-Swim is of the opinion that some of his readers may be interested in having a bit of a look at various parts of the ship.  I have tried to reason with him that the interior of the ship would not have a very broad appeal but, like most toy penguins, Swim-Swim is very persistent.  So what follows is a brief tour of some of the parts of the vessel that he and I frequent. 

It’s briefer than Swim-Swim would have liked, but longer than I would have liked, so we have compromised.  It’s brief-ish.

Firstly, we start off in my cabin, with my cabin mate Ray Smith.  Ray is a Kiwi, and is going to be the summering chef at Mawson.  Ray is a Sagittarius, loves moonlight walks, pina coladas, and is into insanely stupid stuff like canyoning and paragliding and other life-shortening activities.  Good one, Ray.

A jolly fellow is Ray.

Here is my bunk.  Swim-Swim thought it might be useful to show where I sleep-sleep.  *shrug*  OK.  Anyway, during the days I fold the bunk back up against the wall, giving me a nice couch to sit on, and ghost-write blog posts and whatnot.  It’s a cosy little arrangement.

Cosy

Now we are on our way to the bridge, which is some four decks above the expeditioner accommodation deck.  Here is Swim-Swim, making his way along the passage between the cabins.  *yawn*

Exciting

Here, Swim-Swim demonstrates going up the ship’s central stairwell on his way to the bridge.  In case no-one has ever seen stairs before.  (As I said, he’s persistent.  And persuasive.)

Enthralling

 At the top of the stairwell is the door to the bridge.  (As Swim-Swim is so helpfully demonstrating).

Helpful

Once on the bridge, our little friend likes to pretend that he’s right into the action.  Here is peruses a chart of the area off the coast of Antarctica.  (I’ll let you know a little secret.  Really, he has no idea what he’s doing.  It’s fun to humour him, though.)

Cap'n Swim-Swim.  Yarr.

 After having satisfied himself that the ship’s navigators have us on the right track, Swim-Swim decides it’s time to have a look out of the bridge windows at the passing parade of icebergs.  Soon after he got there, though, it became apparent that we were about to pass quite close to one.  So, it was out onto the upper decks for a much closer look.

Oooh!

Ahhh!

The excitement past, it’s back inside to sit in the pilot’s chair, and to cast a proprietary eye over the bridge wing helm console.  (As if he has any idea what he’s doing).  Still, it’s quite a good view from that seat.

Pretentious?  Prentent-yes!

Many expeditioners like to unwind in the ship’s library.  Really, it’s not so much a library as a lounge area, with a bookshelf lined with novels, and some racks of magazines.  The area itself was initially a part of the mess, and was full of tables and chairs.   Often it is full of people either reading, playing games, or sorting through their burgeoning  collection of iceberg photos on their laptops.

Here Swim-Swim relaxes by reading one of his favourite publications.

Scholarly

At the aft end of the expeditioner accommodation deck is a theatrette.  During the day it is often in use for training purposes, and in the evenings the denizens of the deck can be found gathered there to listen to the nightly lecture.  After the lecture is over, and everyone is feeling sufficiently intellectually broadened,  someone will pop a movie on and undo all the good work.

Alas, no popcorn.

Arguably, from the expeditioner’s point of view, the mess is the most important area of the ship (with the possible exception of one’s bunk).  This is where all meals are taken, hot drinks made, fizzy drinks dispensed, and impromptu meetings of all kinds conducted.  There has even been some expeditioner training happening in there.   As a result, this is the social centre of the vessel.  3 times a day everyone emerges from their burrow to eat, drink and be social.

Oddly though, during the rougher weather it was not very well populated at meal times for some reason.  In calmer seas it is abuzz with activity, though.

Here, Swim-Swim concludes his tour, while contemplating having a nice hot cuppa before retiring for the day.

The mess is... mess-y.

Thank you for joining us on this largely self-indulgent tour; I hope you enjoyed it.  Swim-Swim made me do it.  As I say, he is a persistent and persuasive persenguin.