Two days of work in the laboratory. We are now very nearly set for the first station. ETA (estimated time of arrival) is Monday. Filter holders to filter water on three different systems are awaiting the first stop. We are running blank samples with super clean lab water currently to test the system and the procedures. Many small bits have to fit together, and we rearrange things in the lab to have exactly where we need them. Today for example I wanted a box right next to one of my small bench size pumps and just screwed it into the lab bench. Logistics and priorities are different than what you are used to. At home it would be silly to even think about screwing something into your table – here it could be very important to have your tweezers or tubing at hand to get a sample in the proper way.

We are also cleaning our large 1-inch hose (that we call the fire hose because it is rolled up on two large red carts). It is massive and heavy. We are currently cleaning it to get it ultraclean before sampling. The hose itself is 135 meters, and can carry over 50 litres of water inside. I am sure this heavy piece will give me some real sore muscles after sampling. I am ready. Bring it on!