Mike and I have returned to the Outpost for another season, 9 months actually,
of taking care of the lodge located on the edge of the pacific in our little piece of paradise know as Port Louis.
August 22 was a gray day, the colour of the sky mirroring the the calm seas.
Low cloud cover kept the helicopter skimming along the shoreline towards our destination.
From past experience we know what to expect our first week back at the lodge.
It's all about the crew. For 6 days they are cleaning up, taking stock, sleeping in and kicking back. Didn't take long for us to see what they really like to do..... FISH!
No sooner had the last guests boarded the helicopter than everyone was suiting up to hit the water. Rebecca and Hanna took a moment to show off what the serious and fashionable fisherwoman is wearing this year.
Not only do they like to fish together but in this kitchen there is never too many cooks.
Forfeiting the opportunity to sleep in for an early morning start at taking inventories and putting the lodge to bed meant they could take the afternoon to go fishing...again!
What's the hold-up? Hanna's thinking while Alan's dreaming of catching the big one and Rebecca and Mark are wondering what they have forgotten.
After a long afternoon on the water, what do you do to relax? You get in the water.
There were moments of alone time. Gazing out into the distance, perhaps to instill this image to last them throughout the year ahead.
The day has arrived where the first of the group is heading off. After working and living together for the last 90 days they have become family. I'm sure it must be a bittersweet moment. Looking forward to begin the next chapter of their lives yet sad to be parting ways.
Perfect weather for a boat trip, although there will be no lines in the water today.
KB, Kenny B, Ken our boss, manager and pretty damn good Krud player gives a round of hugs before he leaves the Outpost after another successful season and heads up to the Clubhouse to help out there for a couple of days.
The day is gloomy, very low cloud cover and rain gently falling. It's not the type of day we had hoped to wake up too. 8 am and everyone is ready to go, rooms have been stripped cleaned, last minute jobs complete. Justine keeps trying to connect with the airport via sat phone to see if they are flying. Every few minutes someone will jump up saying “I hear the plane! An hour pass the 8:30 ETA and no one can sit still. Most of the bags, boxes and backpacks have already been lugged down to the crew shack, nothing to do now but wait.
What a lovely sound, that of a plane flying overhead. Everyone jumps into action, grabbing the last of their belonging and head down to heli pad to meet their ride.Hanna, Rebecca, Justine, Jordan and Andrew.....one last picture.
Mike and I only got to briefly know some of the crew in the short 6 days we had before they all returned to the real world. I hope to keep in touch and follow their adventures in the coming year. Till next week,
Heather and Mike
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