In fact she will be out flying again early tomorrow, so early that as I sit here to make these random notes, I am completely alone in the operation room. Absolutely no-one is screaming for new models or SAP-reports. It is weird.
The western trip seems to have been quite successful, although conditions
were not splendid for the planned measurements. Haraldur and some of our
German friends naturally made it to the pages of Morgunblaðið. Even if you
don't understand a word, you can check out H's nice cap at
http://www.mbl.is/mm/frettir/innlent/frett.html?nid=1326915. Myself, I
especially appreciate the word "lofthjúpsrannsóknamiðstöðina". Say that
ten times without twisting your tongue.
The Icelandic language also was an entertaining highlight at the
postflight debrief. Christian had some small difficulties pronouncing the
names of some glaciers and fjord, but almost without practice he and Jón
Egill invented a routine of seamless joint speak.
We are now having a media rush. Idar today had a lengthy web camera
interview with the NRK. You can watch it on
http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/346948 - a bit out in the program. (Do
note that Emma suddenly has changed seat at the table and therefore is
visible in the background. That's the way we like it. Take responsibility
and promote the brave girls of this rather male project.)
We have also seen a full page interview with Erik in Nordlys; not on the
web as far as I can see. And also Harstad tidende has had an article:
http://www.ht.no/incoming/article140711.ece.
Today we also have been joined by a journalist from Dagsavisen. He will
stay here a couple of days. Tomorrow we expect a visitor from NRK Troms.
Not bad at all.
Erik left us this morning. On driving him to the airport I came up with
the catchy phrase: "Well, a cloud is a cloud." Catchy, but obviously
wrong. He may never talk to me again. Øyvind also left for a couple of
days. He will give a popular lecture on our project in Oslo.
Tentative plans for the last days: Brief flight tomorrow morning to survey
some fjord winds on the coast of Nordland and Trøndelag. No flying on
Thursday and Friday. They say it is due to no special weather phenomena,
but it may seem strange that this coincides so well with being the two
days following tomorrow night's grand project banquet with a great serving
of mølja (i.e fresh cod, liver and roe).
During Saturday and Sunday we will be desperately spending our last flight
hours on what looks as an upcoming polar low. Ironicly enough this low
might very well hit land exactly at the operational headquarters on Monday
afternoon, thus stopping the project's late-leavers as well as The white
beauty from leaving Andøya. Stuck here forever.
Luv,
Gudmund--
