Study in Svalbard: BACK TO SCHOOL

This week the population of the town returned to normal as everyone returned from vacation for school which started Monday. For the family, the start of school is the beginning of our routine from now until we leave in February. The boys saddled up on their new bikes and headed off to school. Nicole and I also walked to school to make sure everything was OK. Anders gave Nicole a hug and went into his class and Jason came to the door and pushed us both out… a sign of the age difference. I was a wreck all day hoping that everything went well. Jason came home right after school and skyped me a work to tell me that things went well. Anders, being the more gregarious son on the other hand, did not return from his first day of school. After 3 hours of his disappearing act, I got a car and drove around town looking for him. An hour and a half later, he arrived home and told us about his new friend, Hilmar. Tuesday and Wednesday the 5-7^th grades went on a hike and then a bike trip. With the distance and the rain ensured they slept well. The rest of the week went well and we were introduced to a number of other parents.

Anders and Jason on their new bikes heading off to their first day of school.

Friday the sports center had their open house will all the activities in town for the year. Jason signed up for dog sledding (taking care of dogs and learning to be a driver) and Anders signed up for football. There are so many things to do that my whole week could be filled with activity. I will likely stick to football, basketball and joining the diving club (always wanted to go diving up here).

One the work front, I spent the beginning of the week putting the vehicle together, charging it, and assessing whether all the systems were functioning. There have been a number of research expeditions where we had arrived with the equipment only to find out that the vehicle was damaged in shipping. Not the case here and all systems appear to be functioning well. I am still trying to work out a boat as there have been significant demand on the UNIS boats from other field camps. I think this will be worked out the beginning of next week.

Integrating the batteries into the underwater vehicle and assessing the various vehicle systems.

Jason and I went back up on the glacier yesterday. We took a different route this time on the southeast side. The fossil hunting was excellent and Jason found an excellent “single leaf” rock. We also enjoyed the refreshing meltwater. We are going to try and do a trek like this every week.