The Diaries
 
December 1st 2008
:: 2008 :: 10/27 - 10/28 - 10/29 - 10/30 - 10/31
11/01 - 11/02 & 11/03 - 11/04 - 11/05- 11/06 - 11/07 - 11/08 & 11/09 - 11/10 - 11/11 - 11/12 - 11/13 - 11/14 - 11/15 - 11/16 - 11/17 - 11/18 - 11/19 - 11/20 - 11/21 - 11/22 - 11/23 - 11/25 - 11/26 - 11/27 - 11/28
11/29 - 11/30
12/01 - 12/02
- Regain the world -  

In the corridors and around the Malagasy compartment, the suitcases and the bags start to pile up, it feels like the departure. Close to the surface of &nparking” of the lane, the heavy material which must set out again is already piled up: empty helium bottles, camping material (tables and chairs) lent by the Army.

Breakfast taken, the last thing left to do is to dismount the tent and to pack it. That is done within a wink and in a good mood in spite of the temperature which begins to climb.
Around 8 a.m., we are informed that the Transal has just taken off of “la Réunion”, the arrival is planned: 9:30.

Of the whole team present, only Eugene stays for another month.

Arrival of the Transal
Photo credit : Sylvain Savoia

At the said hour, in the shade of the coconut tree the closest to the lane, we see appearing the Transal which settles gently. The fevered ballet of relays starts at once, unloading of the supplies, the material and the personnel of relay. Mr. Mouchel-Blaisot, the Prefect of the TAAF, Mr. Jacques Maillard, the Ambassador of France in Maurice and Mr. Gerard Therry, the Director of the Weather, join us.

Also arrival of the mechanics, come to repair the mounting foot of the generator which gave away, and the data processing specialists, to change the faulty computer; all must take up the challenge to repair the material damages during the short stopover of the plane.  

Visit of the site with the officials
Photo credit : Jean-François Rebeyrotte

After having visited the weather station, the authorities are explained the work which we achieved, and will see the archaeological site which today only appears the beaconing.

The cases where the objects are arranged are opened and the discussion begins, animated, on their signification, their future, the action to be taken to the excavation, the Franco-Mauritian collaboration.

Lunchtime approaches, the Prefect of the TAAF asks us to see the shipwreck site of “l’Utile”. We cross the lane and go on the west coast, where the leg of an anchor is drawn up out of the water and is used as a remarkable land-mark. At the foot of the beach, the vestiges of some guns mark the place where the stem of the ship finished its running.

The lunch taken, and after some family photos around the plate of baptism of the station, we have to re-embark and leave once again the island which drank our sweat, then to regain the world.