Congratulations are in order!

Great news... Justin applied for the position of Deputy Station Leader (DSL) at Davis and got it!! 

As DSL he will be appointed as an Inspector under Antarctic environmental legislation (the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act and the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Conservation Act ) and as a Special Constable under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance in the Australian Antarctic Territory.

It does mean increased responsibilities and a greater workload while he is at Davis but he is excited about learning more on the operational side.  He will also assume the position of Station Leader when the SL is off base.  Being a Special Constable, it also means that he is able to conduct an arrest should it be required of him!  Colour me proud.

I arrived in Hobart yesterday to spend the week with Justin and, inevitably, say goodbye next Thursday 21 October when the crew all board the ship for their journey to Davis.  As we drove in to Hobart from the airport, we could see the Aurora Australis that will transport everyone to Davis, slowly leaving the harbour for sea trials.  I won't get the opportunity to get up close to the boat but Justin was able to get close enough to take photos when it was  berthed in the harbour in Hobart up until yesterday.  Check out the link to find out more about the boat, including size and spec details.

As for me, I have never been to Hobart before and am pleasantly surprised by what I find.  It's a very pretty city and I was lucky enough to fly in on a gorgeous October afternoon.  It was fresh but sunny.  Today, however, it is grey, rainy and cold.  As Justin drove me around the city yesterday, he made the comment that we could be almost anywhere in New Zealand and he was right.  The small city centre, the hills and the colonial style buildings... what a breath of fresh air.