By then it was early October and the departure date was looming ever closer. I finally had the chance to meet the French part of the logistics team of Concordia station at the headquarters of IPEV (Institut Polaire Français Paul-Emile Victor) at Plouzané, near Brest. A lot of us were attending this week; the French part of the team who would winter-over at Concordia, but also all of those who would go to the French sub Antarctic islands and Dumont D’Urville. We were lodged in little cottage houses in a holiday camp close to the sea in Le Conquet, and enjoyed lively suppers of typical food at a local inn.
We had multiple lectures, with subjects ranging from the TAAF and IPEV, to research carried out on the various islands, the public awareness and education opportunities represented by the various stations, and “larger than life” fire-fighting training. Once again wanting to take every opportunity I could to enjoy the outdoors, I went running along the coast early in the morning, under the stars, guided by the lighthouse. I tried to immerse myself with the sound of the sea and the warmth and serenity of the sunsets and sunrises. It was again a very motivating week, where I discovered a whole world I had not suspected even existed. It was humbling to realise how many people were working “behind the scenes”, making such expeditions possible, and the huge logistics involved!
75 Degrees South 