One of the
problems of low level magnetometer surveys (particularly on oil
surveys) was to obtain a smooth trace on the recorders. For this
reason it was essential to start at first light before the turbulence
became impossible.
This caused a problem with early breakfast. Some pubs gave us
access to the kitchen, others did not, but would supply us with
food to take with us. Catalina VH-AGB had two hot plates amidships
so we were supplied with coffee plus a 5 litre tin (approx) of
pea and ham soup. We had this for about a week and it was changed
to eggs and bread.
The eggs were to be hard boiled and put on bread. I was not too
fond of hard boiled eggs so I scrambled mine in a 400 ft. film
tin and toasted bread on the hot plate. Soon everybody wanted
the same. Fortunately we all took turns in the cooking.
Maurie Miller
September 2003
|