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DanielLB
Immortal
Feb 1 2013, 5:01pm
Post #2 of 62
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I'll try to keep this one a little more brief. Probably not though ;-) Thank you for everyone's good wishes in my original leaving thread. I meant to thank you all last week for such kind words, but forgot in my haste to post an update. So thank you :-)
Since last week we have got some good results. We're releasing a weather balloon everday at 12 GMT. We've had one intensive campaign where we released 5 sondes in one day (09, 12, 15, 18, 21 GMT) when the wind direction was favourable for strong winds and waves in the atmosphere. Unfortunetly, that has been the only appropriate day for what we're looking at. For my PhD, I have gone through 10 years worth of automatic weather station data here at King Edward Point. It has *never* been this calm before. The wind has either been from the north, south or east, which is absolutely no good for us! Because South Georgia runs (roughly) from the NW to SE, ideally, we would like SW winds (since they're perpendicular to the mountain chain, and therefore have a greater interaction with the topography of the island). Even westerly winds would be good for us. I'm looking at the dynamics and occurence of foehn winds on the island. From my previous analysis, I found that foehn winds are more common (and more extreme) during the summer months (DJF). On average, there are 10 a month. We've experienced just one foehn event ... and that was a temperature change of just 2degC. Not particularly exciting for my research! Everyone needs to carry on with their bad weather/rain dances for me ;-)
The lidar is also working well, and we have some nice results to complement the balloon data from the intensive campaign. Since the wind has been so calm, we've had lots of practice flying the UAVs (Un-manned aerial vehicles). One has flown into me and we've landed them twice in a river. Oops! Because of the river incidents, we're now having some electrical difficulties. By the time we leave, hopefully we can get some good results. This is all very new, and the first time UAVs have been used for this kind of research. Even if we don't get much data, at least we have shown that they can be used in the future. In 10 years time, I imagine UAVs will replace weather balloons. They're a lot more cost effective, efficient, and can take better measurements of the atmosphere over space and time.
I think it's time for some pictures now!
We hiked to Maiviken yesterday, which is roughly a 2 hour walk from Grytviken. Beautiful place, and somewhere where very few people get to see. About 4 miles from the cove, you could hear the penguins and seals. The beach was covered in fur seal pups, and a colony of penguins. The cove is also surrounded by several (freshwater) lakes, which were also full of pups. It was quite a struggle getting down onto the beach because of the tussock grass. It felt like Jurassic Park - the tussock came to the top of my head, and all I could hear was the occasional growl and rustling. Great fun though, and some lovely pictures.
And since it's always nice to put a face to a name ... that's me, in front of the penguins. Although ... I wouldn't click, as it might ruin your perception of me ;-)
This is my favourite place on the walk, and of South Georgia so far: link. It has a very Middle-earth feel about it. Perhaps it could be Mirromere? The photo doesn't do it much justice, but the lake was a brilliant blue.
Here are a few more pictures: posing penguins, another view over the cove (towards Cumberland West Bay), seal pup playing in rock pool, and an albatross and seal pup
My time here is nearly over. We leave next Thursday, and head back to the Falklands. I've had an awesome time here, and it's a beautiful place. I'll be sad to leave, but incredibly happy that I got to see it all. My next update may be delayed, and I hope the sea is calm on the journey back to the Falklands.
Hmmm ... so that wasn't brief at all in the end! I hope everyone is well, and you all have a great weekend - whatever you get up to. Forget Groundhog Day, it's my birthday tomorrow! :-)
(This post was edited by DanielLB on Feb 1 2013, 5:04pm)
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SirDennisC
Half-elven
Feb 1 2013, 5:08pm
Post #3 of 62
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Yesterday there were gusts up to 100 km/h, with sustained winds of 50 to 60 km/h.
Also in the past 36 hours the temperature has swung from -14C to +9C and back to -9C.
Will you be able to do something about this crazy weather after you graduate? You'll be a weather doctor right?
(Good to see you Daniel, thanks for the pictures!)
PS should we be concerned that there's very little snow there? I understand you are on an island off mainland Antarctica, but this isn't how I've imagined the place at all. It is beautiful though!
(This post was edited by SirDennisC on Feb 1 2013, 5:12pm)
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Feb 1 2013, 5:17pm
Post #5 of 62
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To call these "breathtaking" just doesn't do them justice.
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Daniel, what an incredibly beautiful place you are at! It reminds of northern Scotland, and the Hebrides, and Iceland: rugged, unspoiled beauty. Icebergs in the coves. (That water must be a bit chilly!) Sharp, uneroded hills. An albatross and a seal pup, letting you take their picture together!
Thank you, and I hope these last few days give you "favorable" winds!  Safe journeys!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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DanielLB
Immortal
Feb 1 2013, 5:21pm
Post #6 of 62
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No need for concern (not yet, anyway ...)
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It's quite normal for there to be no snow at this time of year. I'm on the east side of the island, and while there is little snow here, the interior of the island is frozen solid. During winter, the whole island is covered in snow. Glaciers are melting at a faster rate though. That'll be more concerning in the future, if they carry on.
Funnily enough, after my last update, we had ~10-20 cm of snow over night. Yesterday it had fully melted. When I have a better internet connection, I can show the snow-y pictures then. From my window now, I can see the snow covered mountains.
The weather doesn't seem too good where you are SirD. 100km/h gusts?! Stay safe.
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Eventides
Tol Eressea
Feb 1 2013, 5:21pm
Post #7 of 62
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LOL-- um, yeah, you don't even want to know the temperature here today (it's -25°F after the wind chill!  ). I'm just thankful I'm nice and warm indoors!
A Winter Usual please, gramma-- thanks, and I hope you stay warm yourself and have a great weekend!
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Eventides' Website: ListenUpReviews.com - Rockin' Choices In Entertainment!
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"I stepped out of my body to let God slide in; although I'm still dressed in flesh that I spiritually died in. Alive in Christ a new creation started breathin', Life exists and through this came completion. ... I'm not that person anymore (more!)! That's what blood was shed for! No longer a failure, livin' life more abundantly, therefore you'll never see me livin' less than victory."
John Reuben.
"Desperation, needing You; every last breath I scream for You. Shatter me into a million pieces, make me new. ... Break me, mold me, make me what You want me to be; I am Yours, for You to use, so take and replace me with You."
Family Force 5.
"Under a light in Bethlehem, I was sifting through the sand; the saline burned my eyes, I was looking for Your hand. I gave up on myself, and left my pride disarmed; I cried out 'I'm alone!' and found myself in Your arms. 'Rest in Me, oh, My love; I have loved you before the world began. Rest in Me, oh, My love; you'll never wander too far to reach My hand.'"
Showbread.
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Feb 1 2013, 5:23pm
Post #8 of 62
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Hmm, how about some hot tea today, gramma - got any Rooibos behind the bar, or Constant Comment? WIth a nice dollop of local honey, please! I've got a cough lingering over from a cold last weekend. 
We had some stiff winds here yesterday - even had a school opening delay, there were so many branches down on the roads, and this town had half the electricity out.
So how much snow do you have on the ground now at your house? I've heard that the UP (upper peninsula) is a snow-lover's heaven! 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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entmaiden
Forum Admin
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Feb 1 2013, 5:24pm
Post #9 of 62
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Well, my door project is moving along
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I've posted about my door project last September, and not much has happened since then. I had a bunch of out-of-town travel, then the holidays, so I'm finally getting back into it.
My doors are stripped and sanded and ready to be hung. Last month I went to this wonderful antique store, Jan's Antiques in Chicago, and found all my door hardware - hinges, door plates, door knobs and latches. It took a couple trips, partly because the store is freezing - it's a huge warehouse, and January in Chicago means frigid temperatures, so the warehouse never really warms up. But I got everything I needed, including a beautiful 1890 door plate. I'll take pictures of my hardware and post them over the weekend.
This past week I had a contractor come in to figure out how much it's going to cost to have the door frames built and hang the doors. Two of the openings are wider than the doors, so we have to narrow the opening before the frame goes in. This means framing, drywall, baseboards and paint. But one opening is fine - just needs framing and a little touch-up painting.
I've decided to go with one door right now, and the two others later. I'm doing the "easier" project - the one where the opening is the right size. I'll do the other two later - but they are much bigger projects so I want to do this in stages. By finishing the one door, my condo becomes a legal three-bedroom unit, and that will give me an easier path toward re-financing my mortgage.
I have to find a transom to go over the top since I have really high ceilings and the door is standard height. I want a vintage stained glass transom, so I've been scouring e-bay and I might need another trip to Jan's. She has dozens and dozens of windows, so I'm sure I can find something there.
Phase I will be done in a couple weeks - I'm so excited! I'll be sure to post pictures once my beautiful door is finished.
In honor of this achievement, I'd love a glass of single-malt scotch. Have a good weekend, everyone!
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Feb 1 2013, 5:26pm
Post #10 of 62
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Just another pleasant winter's day, eh?
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Yep - bundle up several layers, if you go out!  And stay warm this weekend!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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imin
Valinor
Feb 1 2013, 5:29pm
Post #12 of 62
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Wow thanks for sharing the photos they look brilliant and get to see what you look like - due to your avatar i just see you as Tolkien, haha.
As you say looks very much like parts of Middle-earth to me.
Also using UAV's only time i have has been on CoD, lol.
Sounds like you are having a great time, and i would love to be there as well, looks so beautiful and peaceful! Love the little pup photo - the one staring right at the camera, that one has attitude, lol.
Happy Birthday for tomorrow as well! No better place to spend it i think
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Feb 1 2013, 5:33pm
Post #14 of 62
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You've been working a long time at those
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but you've been able to get those doors done just right, and they'll perfectly complement the condo once they're in place. A transom will give it a good, old-time feel! Best of luck with the installations, and be sure to post some pics!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Feb 1 2013, 5:35pm
Post #15 of 62
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My youngest out in Chicago said she heard someone say, "January is drunk!"
Hope everyone's got a can of car-door de-icer... Stay warm, gramma!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Eventides
Tol Eressea
Feb 1 2013, 5:54pm
Post #17 of 62
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Thanks, and I hope you have a great (and warm) weekend, too, dernwyn! :)
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Eventides' Website: ListenUpReviews.com - Rockin' Choices In Entertainment!
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"I stepped out of my body to let God slide in; although I'm still dressed in flesh that I spiritually died in. Alive in Christ a new creation started breathin', Life exists and through this came completion. ... I'm not that person anymore (more!)! That's what blood was shed for! No longer a failure, livin' life more abundantly, therefore you'll never see me livin' less than victory."
John Reuben.
"Desperation, needing You; every last breath I scream for You. Shatter me into a million pieces, make me new. ... Break me, mold me, make me what You want me to be; I am Yours, for You to use, so take and replace me with You."
Family Force 5.
"Under a light in Bethlehem, I was sifting through the sand; the saline burned my eyes, I was looking for Your hand. I gave up on myself, and left my pride disarmed; I cried out 'I'm alone!' and found myself in Your arms. 'Rest in Me, oh, My love; I have loved you before the world began. Rest in Me, oh, My love; you'll never wander too far to reach My hand.'"
Showbread.
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Eventides
Tol Eressea
Feb 1 2013, 5:55pm
Post #18 of 62
(597 views)
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Thanks! :)
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Eventides' Website: ListenUpReviews.com - Rockin' Choices In Entertainment!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I stepped out of my body to let God slide in; although I'm still dressed in flesh that I spiritually died in. Alive in Christ a new creation started breathin', Life exists and through this came completion. ... I'm not that person anymore (more!)! That's what blood was shed for! No longer a failure, livin' life more abundantly, therefore you'll never see me livin' less than victory."
John Reuben.
"Desperation, needing You; every last breath I scream for You. Shatter me into a million pieces, make me new. ... Break me, mold me, make me what You want me to be; I am Yours, for You to use, so take and replace me with You."
Family Force 5.
"Under a light in Bethlehem, I was sifting through the sand; the saline burned my eyes, I was looking for Your hand. I gave up on myself, and left my pride disarmed; I cried out 'I'm alone!' and found myself in Your arms. 'Rest in Me, oh, My love; I have loved you before the world began. Rest in Me, oh, My love; you'll never wander too far to reach My hand.'"
Showbread.
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entmaiden
Forum Admin
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Feb 1 2013, 5:57pm
Post #19 of 62
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Oh, and if anyone has a stained glass transom in their basement or garage
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I'll pay shipping! The opening will be 12 inches by 30 inches, although I can put in a smaller piece of glass.
That's 30cm by 76cm for the rest of the world.
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Kassandros
Rohan
Feb 1 2013, 6:00pm
Post #22 of 62
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I enjoyed your pictures very much.
I really, really hope you have some truly awful weather. Not just bad, but horribly, astoundingly awful, once-in-a-lifetime bad weather.
Good luck!
all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us...
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Lily Fairbairn
Half-elven
Feb 1 2013, 6:41pm
Post #23 of 62
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And I've been in and out of TORn all morning, as usual, perusing the messages.... Ah well. Hopefully gramma won't give me a demerit for running in late.
I'm pleased to report that the Gaffer is much, much better after his bout with the flu last week (he had a flu shot last fall, but it got him anyway) and I didn't catch it from him, so all is well at Bag End Texas, including a lovely sunny (if chilly) day.
We have no particular plans for the weekend, since he's still recuperating, except for watching both the Super Bowl and Downton Abbey on Sunday, a juxtaposition that may make our heads explode. (Cora breaks from the huddle and runs for the goal line, but is tackled by Mrs. Hughes on the twenty...)
Ahem
Anyway, we're cheering for the Ravens, for no other reason than that I have to support a team named for a poem
I'll grab myself an Irish coffee and get back to, uh, well, not necessarily any good, I'm afraid. Have a good one gramma and 'sibs!
*stuffs tip jar with wings and various sauces, which makes for a very messy tip jar*
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Lily Fairbairn
Half-elven
Feb 1 2013, 6:44pm
Post #24 of 62
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Thank you so much for the report and for the photos. The area reminds me a bit of Alaska (well, except for the penguins, of course). I hope your winds come back and your UAVs get over their accidental dunkings.
Enjoy your adventure! But don't go picking up any rings, okay?
Edit (my brain really is running on half-empty today): And a very happy birthday, with or without ground-dwelling rodents!
(This post was edited by Lily Fairbairn on Feb 1 2013, 6:46pm)
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bearwen
Lorien
Feb 1 2013, 7:27pm
Post #25 of 62
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Hi all,
I haven't been able to get on here for ages and miss it! Life is soo busy. Have a super weekend everyone. Love the Bears x
I choose a mortal life!
 
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Wishes you a Happy Groundhog Day! 
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