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went up to the Commissary to pack our frozen things. Gh fell into conversation w. the man at Berg. who is a professional photographer. He discussed cameras, lenses, film. His world favorite is a Canon f 1. Not advertised – is used by professionals. He told us that the McM ships store is the only place in world where civilians like us qualify to buy at v. low prices - cameras, cars - anything. We will look at the catalog. Packing was done as quickly as possible in freezer. We were there by 3:30. Back in room I got sleepy & gave in to it until 5:00. After dinner we went fishing w the biologists. They have 3 huts on the ice. Holes thru 2m of ice & slush. In the hut we went to in tractor the line went to bottom 1600' deep. Rolled up the line w. winch, 25 hooks, 3 cod. Mawsoni. The 1st was dead. The second alive enough to carry to the aquarium; the third alive enough to tag & throw back into hole where it immediately got caught on the final hook. I couldn't believe it would live, but they think it will recover from [[end page]] [[start page]] its traumatized state and swim away -- to be caught another day. Hauling a fish up 1600' rapidly does not kill them -- no air bladders. They make their own antifreeze. ^[[All were measured, weighed: the largest = 42 pounds. They go >90 lbs.]] Took sev. flash photos inside and several of visiting [[skuas?]] outside. We had a splendid view of McM from out there - Erebus towering over its left shoulder. Terror, bright above a blue cloudbank, to the right. The green building in a sheltered cove. On the way back we dropped our one fish in the aquarium. More flash photos. I only hope they are in focus -- my eyes often are not. Then home and some beer & wine w Bob in our room. Late bedtime -- nearly 12:00. [[underlined]] Dec. 19 [[/underlined]] So we had our most comfortable night yet. A cool room w windows open, & my housecoat over my blankets. Awake sev. times thinking time to get up. Alarm roused me out of stupor at 7:00. A rather larger than usual breakfast: eggs, grits, no coffee ex a dash in my 2nd milk. To Hill Cargo by 8:50. Shuttle -> Willie field ~ 9:10. Too many passengers so we had 2 shifts to & from Scott Base. We are flying recon today even though it is clouded in & spitting snow. It [[double underlined]] might [[/double underlined]] clear, and we have no second chance.
Transcription Notes:
cod. Mawsoni = Antarctic toothfish https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_toothfish
skua: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skua
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMurdo_Station