The Tug Sitters

I should have published this post on April 1, April Fool's Day. Spring does not look like this in Cambridge Bay! Instead of publishing more icy blue, white and cold photos, I thought a splash of colour might brighten your day, it did mine.

Wishful thinking!

Temperatures are now averaging in the -20Cs during the day (today, April 4, it's -22C, sunrise 0554, sunset 2012). The weather forecast is teasing us with a forecast of -12C for next Thursday. We'll see. Temperatures in the minus teens have been in the forecast for a couple of weeks now and as we get closer to the day, it keeps getting pushed further out and we've yet to get there. So close and yet so far...

While the wait for warmth continues, we have been busy the last couple of weeks. First, we had our fifteen minutes of fame when we were interviewed on Yellowknife's CBC Radio One program, The TrailBreaker (morning show, their evening show is called Trail's End). We were introduced as "the Tug Sitters". Unlike media interviews in a past life where often your words get twisted and taken out of context to suit a point the interviewer is trying to make, which isn't necessarily yours, this one went well and we were pleased with the result. A portion was also replayed on the evening news. Although it seems rather ordinary to us, people seem interested in our story, so, it was fun to share insights into a different retirement lifestyle in a region that not many people get to visit for any length of time.

We also had a surprise visit from the Norwegians. Two members of the Maud Returns Home team showed up unexpectedly last week and their support has been a great help. First job was to get out the ice auger and drill a large hole in the ice to get cooling water for the backup generator. This then enabled us to shut off and service the deck generator which badly needed it. We had been very afraid to turn it off as we weren't sure it would start again and it didn't! The starter had to be taken out and rebuilt before we could get it going. Another bullet dodged. Next, the main engine was started and ran fine. Other jobs were tended to and various adjustments made. We tried a few things with the pressure water system, but, the conclusion is that it will just have to remain frozen for a few more months. They are now busy doing lots of aerial photography, using a kite, of the Maud and surrounds which will eventually be used in the museum being built for her. They are trying to get 360 degree pictures using twelve cameras mounted in a loop, but, are having difficulty with the camera batteries in the cold, if one shuts down, it ruins the shot.

So, life goes on. G. is very busy with extra hours, on split shifts, at his part-time job. It's only seven weeks now until we fly out for a five week break, then, we'll be back aboard Gjoa to start the next phase of our voyage.

A card received from a friend in Ukraine. Happy Easter!