Walvis Bay

Piet has been working on the Namibia project since 2013, and the team has been struggling to make progress the last few years, for various reasons. In 2018 there has been a positive change, and since April Piet has been planning a large offshore seismic survey with a dedicated team of specialists. Over the summer this resulted in the award of the contract to seismic acquisition contractor Polarcus, and an increase in activity to get ready for operations. This culminated in a mobilisation in Walvis Bay, a small harbour in Namibia, where the fleet, consisting of three vessels, gathered before leaving to the prospect area, some 300 km off the southern coast of Namibia.

Piet, and three other Shell staff, went to Walvis Bay to carry out final inspections of these vessels, discuss project details with staff going offshore, and to host a large kick-off meeting. At the end of four days the fleet was accepted, and the project could begin. It will take some 3 months to complete, followed by another 6 months to process the data, before a detailed subsurface evaluation can start.
Walvis Bay is a small town, and except the hotel and the harbour Piet didn't see much. Luckily the hotel was on the edge of a shallow bay, where a lot of flamingo's and pelicans are living. Early in the morning it was possible to walk around, and take some pictures. It was generally calm weather, with the wind picking up during the morning, and a howling storm every afternoon. With 15 degrees it was not very pleasant in Africa!

Early morning in Walvis Bay

Flamingo's at dawn

Selling tourist souvenirs, with few takers

Showing seismic equipment

Piet and the Shell Namibia team in the control room

 The Shell team in front of the seismic vessel

 A flight of flamingo's

Summer Holidays (III) - more photos

Below are some more pictures of the hikes we made with Marion. Although we have been to these places several times before we always enjoy returning, and enjoying the stunning scenery of the Alps.

The small lakes above Alpe d'Huez

Mary and Marion enjoying an easy hike

On the way to Lac Lauvitel

At the shore of Lac Lauvitel

Lac Lauvitel is one of the most beautiful spots in our region

Hiking near La Berarde

Marion found a friend

Summer holidays (III)

The last part of the holidays started when Dorien and Lars left, and Paula returned with Tim, a friend from her study. They had been planning a true high mountain alpine trip, with glaciers and a summit. After a two day hike and a day of organising gear we drove to Vallouise and Aillefroide, on the eastern side of the Parc des Ecrins. From a beautiful valley we hiked up a busy trail to Refuge du Glacier Blanc, where the hikers separated from the real alpinists, and we continued upwards. We ended up at the Glacier Blanc, an enormous glacier filling the whole valley. We needed to cross part of this glacier to reach our destination, the Refuge des Ecrins. This allowed us to test all the gear, (crampons, pickle) and practice a glacier crossing, as a four person roped party. Lastly there was a very steep climb to the Refuge. It was extremely busy, as the following day promised excellent climbing conditions, and the hut was run with military discipline.

The next morning we were woken at 04:15, and after breakfast descended back to the glacier. We put on all gear and continued further up the valley, slowly upwards. Near the end we split from the route to Barre des Ecrins, the highest summit in this part of France, and turned north towards Roche Faurio, our goal. The glacier steepened significantly, and with increased confidence we reached a steep rocky slope at 3600 m. Here Piet dropped out, found a flat rock in the sun, and let the others continue to the top. They crossed the rocks, another snowfield and ended up at a difficult final rocky wall, where they needed real rock climbing to reach the summit at 3730 m, in perfect sunny weather. After a smooth descent we reached the Refuge in the early afternoon, and enjoyed a lazy remainder of the day. The next morning we had another early rise, and descended back to the glacier, and further down the valley. The weather had turned, and it started raining once we got off the glacier. In poor weather we descended to Refuge du Glacier Blanc, were we stopped to dry and warm up. From then onwards the descent was easy on good trails, and we arrived safely back in Aillefroide. The next day Paula and Tim went back home, and Mary picked up her horse riding friend Marion.
Marion visited for the first time, and she had alternate days of hiking and horse riding. She rode Beau,  with Mary on the bike, as we still hadn't received a saddle for Curly. We did some easy hikes near Alpe d'Huez, Lac Lauvitel and La Berarde, and enjoyed leisurely afternoons in the garden. The last few days were spend on the bike, in the garden, and organising our return with Beau. After a loud farewell from Curly Beau was loaded in the trailer, and we had a smooth drive home, back to our normal lives!

Hiking towards Refuge du Glacier Blanc

The first view of Glacier Blanc


Paula and Tim enjoying the view


On the way to Refuge des Ecrins

Mary's first steps on Glacier Blanc

 Mary and Piet on the glacier, in an area with crevasses


Piet settles on a rock at 3600 m, Barre des Ecrins in the background


Tim, Paula and Mary on the top of Roche Faurio, at 3730 m

Paula enjoying the descent towards the Refuge

The roped party

Tim and Paula descending past the crevasses

Bad weather above the Glacier Blanc: rain gear on!

Summer holidays (II) - more photos

We got a new camera, and made many, many pictures. Some more are below, taken during the middle part of our holidays and the Tour de France.

Waiting on the Tour

Steven Kruijswijk in the lead on Alpe d'Huez

Egan Bernal chasing Kruijswijk

Robert Gesink is passing us

Laurens ten Dam is cheered on

Peter Sagan is taking a bidon from his team leader

 Jasper de Buijst is struggling to make the time cut

Lars is cycling up Alpe d'Huez on Piet's old bike

Mary made it up Alpe d'Huez as well - second place!

In La Berarde

Dorien rode up in the support car

Lars and Dorien at Refuge de la Lavey