Morning shift on Emu Mountain today as hill coordinator. Packed up our gear just after 6AM, theo case, theo legs, chairs, computers, binoculars, and radios, and began the 10 minute trek up Emu Mountain’s gentle north slope for a 7AM start. Luckily we packed the umbrellas. After synchronizing computers against the GPS time down at base via VHF radio, we were up and running and tracking pods. Minutes after getting the first few theo shots from what would become Pod A and B we get a call from base…“Yeah Bret, it’s not looking too good weather wise….massive lighting storm moving in from the west”, Bec announces over channel 13. Apparently everyone except us hill people had known about this storm since last night. “You guys should pack up ASAP and get back down the hill”. Mind you we had just finished setting up and had 2 very close pods that would have been perfect for tracking off the beach.
Turns out the Bureau of Meteorology were actually correct this time in their forecasting. As I’m typing this entry with a warm coffee beneath an awning on the porch, the rain is pelting down in sheets with the bang of thunder claps every few minutes. They are predicting another intense cyclone season for Eastern Australia, and based on the numerous bad weather days we’ve already experienced this field season at BRAHSS, I’d say that prediction will hold true.
Good day for watching baseball.
Although you missed out on the pods, it sounds wonderful to be sitting outside with warm coffee in hand enjoying the tumultuous earth. You're one of the few that can make an internship sound so wonderful - I don't even like counting whales and I'm tempted to join...
ReplyDeleteEnjoying all the posts friend. Sending you hugs and warmth during the rainy weather.
-Rach