Less than two days to go

Bali was great, thanks for asking. Loved it, loved it, loved it. There was not really going to be any other outcome! Big thanks to Justin's parents for making the trip from Riyahd. We all had a great time together.
And now, Justin leaves in just two days time to commence his Antarctic training in Tasmania. Time really has flown.

I knew from the beginning, when Justin first started the interview process, that they were lucky to have a candidate like him apply for the role of chef in Antarctica.
Our experiences 'on the road' catering for bands on tour pushed us to our very limits. Setting up kitchen and dining room in all sorts of weird and wonderful places like a shower block(!!!), dealing with crazy eating habits and dietary requirements (one dancer could not have any of the food on her plate touch anything else on same plate!), liasing with all and sundry trying to do our best to get it right for everyone from truck drivers, management, entourage to artists. We did it all, working with people who spoke little to no English, shopping in countries where a lot of what we were used to was not available and as a result having to make last minute menu changes and living the whole rock and roll lifestyle (well... let's say to an extent), on and off tour buses and in and out of hotels.
It's a pretty surreal little world and that is what I think has set Justin up to do well in this next job. Not that he is there yet but it seems as though he is going to continually try to come up with new ideas to keep things fresh for a small group of people with different likes and dislikes. They have a good hydroponic crop down there that will hopefully continue - lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, herbs etc. I plan to document Justin's challenges when it comes to menus, food storage etc as he works his way through the year.
Today is packing day and although we started out rather conservatively, a lot has been added as we go. It is a whole year after all and having never been before, we can't be sure as to the extent of the activities they will get up to... so best pack for everything we can think of!!

The Anaesthetist

Justin has been away for 8 days now, doing medical training in Hobart. At the beginning of the training they were assigned their roles in the operating theatre and Justin had thought that he would like to take on that of anaesthetist so was pleased when that is what he ended up with. Since then he has spent time nearly every day in theatre and has seen some remarkable surgeries including two caesarian sections, skin grafts and today a gastric bypass. Sharing the hospital with fully fledged and training medical staff has been an incredible experience for Justin and his colleagues and they are very aware of the privileged position they are in and the behaviour expected of them during their time there. I am absolutely blown away with what he has been learning and amazing experiences they've had. I am extremely proud of the way in which he has taken everything in and the way I know he will be conducting himself in the hospital environment. Much respect.

In addition to the hospital training, Justin has met fellow Davis base employees and had the opportunity to talk to people who have already been down to the Antarctic in the past few years. The knowledge that they are able to pass on is invaluable to Justin's preparations.

As for me, I have had a couple of not bad, but sad days when I have thought a lot about how it is going to be being on my own for so long but have decided that the only way to get by is going to be to stay focussed on what I want to achieve and take each day as it comes. I know there will be tough days but I will accept it as being a part of Justin's dream and know that I can handle it.

Just yesterday my friend Jenny and I took to some of the trees in our backyard with the chainsaw (having NEVER used a chainsaw before!) and took care of some brutal pruning. Bring it on!

We (Mr Bear and I) are very much looking forward to Justin's return this Saturday - even if it is only for a few days before he heads to Bali for some serious surfing!