Thursday, 27 September 2012
Embarrassing logo goof
Embarrassing logo goof, The commute is so long that employees make the seafaring journey of 5 to 6 days once every 13 months. The remote island of Gough is about 1,600 miles southwest of Cape Town. Since 1956, Gough has hosted teams of about six workers that each stay on the island for around 13 months. At 35 square miles, Gough (pronounced "goff") is just a speck on the globe. However, it's on the edge of the "Roaring Forties" westerly winds, and since cold fronts approach the African continent from the southwest, Gough is well situated for predicting the winter weather in South Africa. The expedition teams that operate the weather station as part of the South African National Antarctic Program (SANAP) typically consist of a senior meteorologist and two juniors, a radio technician, a medic, a diesel mechanic and biologists. Other than these workers and personnel, the island is uninhabited by humans. "When the chance came to be part of the Gough 55 overwintering team, I didn't hesitate," said Sonja Lizemore, the team leader and medic for the 2010 team, who previously spent two years on excursions in Botswana and a year in Saudi Arabia. "I love to be on the go and experience something different." Daphne Hollenbach, the senior metrologist, is a divorced mother of two and self-described loner and daydreamer who worked for the South Africa Weather Service since 2005 before training for the Gough expedition. At the time, she said, "This island experience is a journey I'm embarking on, paving the way to be part of a spiritual realm that would take me to exhilarating heights, Lord willing." That year's team also included a married father of three and a field assistant who lived on the island with his partner. (Photos of almost every team are posted on the SANAP website. They provide an entertaining overview of half a century of mostly male hairstyles, with a strong recurring theme of facial hair.) It's a setup not unlike short-term military service. The program provides accepted candidates with their training, accommodation and protective gear. The only expenses not covered are personal effects, camera equipment and telephone calls. In addition to basic living accommodations, work facilities include laboratories, offices and workshops, and a chef caters three meals a day.Gough is also a nature lover's paradise. The volcanic island and the surrounding waters three miles around it are lush with flora and fauna, and the site is a wildlife reserve and UNESCO world heritage site. It is now a protected haven for nesting sea birds. Other than a few weeds and house mice there are no non-native pests. When the first weather expedition set up shop, this wild landscape had seen some activity from explorers and seal hunters but was almost untouched by humans. In addition to the company of co-workers, team members are stuck with the local weather, whatever that may be. "We have experienced gale force winds that can easily cause a grown man to long for his mama," said Lizemore. Team members are encouraged to fish for a source of protein. "It's fresh fish, which is the only fresh food you will see for a year," the website says. The island gets a mean annual rainfall of about 122 inches, and temperatures can range from 32 degrees Farenheit, topping out with an occasional 59-degree day. What do the workers do for fun on the island? There was a themed celebration every month, Lizemore said, such as "pirates" for their April party, where they dressed up in costumes provided by a Pretoria art organization. Birthdays may also be celebrated in costume.For everyday entertainment, the expedition team base includes TV lounges, entertainment rooms, a pub, a library and a gym. Internet is available for free and team members are allowed two 10-minute phone calls per week. Members are also encouraged to take a hike, lots of them. While it's difficult, the website says, "You've not hiked until you've hiked on this beautiful island."
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