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Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
  • Tamsin Gallie
  • Kate Saxton
  • Tamsin Gallie
  • Kate Saxton

Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

Post Cancer "Fuck it" World Trip ticking off major ticket items - Trans Mongolian Railway, Russia, Bhutan, Italy etc
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  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    4

    Salisbury Plain videos

    March 6, 2020 in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    Videos of pecking penguins

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Ernest Shackleton- a hero! Stromness

    March 7, 2020 in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ⋅ 🌧 9 °C

    This am we had a lie in until 7am when the wake up call was made as we sailed in to Stromness Harbour.
    We woke to the sight of the Stromness Whaling station from our verandah with the most beautiful morning light.
    Breakfast was at 7.30am and the first 2 groups went ashore whilst the remaining 2 groups which included us had to stay on the boat until 10.15am as it was reportedly too windy to go zodiac cruising.
    At 9am Ed gave us a lecture on the history of Shackleton’s famous Endurance expedition which resulted in him walking into Stromness Bay whaling station after the most epic fest of strength and endurance.
    This whaling station enabled him to get help and rescue all 22 men he had left 4.5 months before on Elephant Island, 800 nautical miles away.
    Anyway at 10.15am we were first aboard the zodiac and dropped off on the shore amongst more fur seal pups.
    We were informed that the infamous waterfall that Shackleton, Crean snd Worsley had to negotiate before rescue, was a 45 min walk away one way and we only had 1 hour 45 mins before the last zodiac back to the boat at 12pm.
    Kate and I took off at a rate and negotiated hundreds of fur seal pups as we walked over beds of the most amazing iron rich rocks. Ahead of us were high hanging glaciers and finally just off to the left was the waterfall “ the boss” as Shackleton was informally known. We arrived sweaty and first there in a record 30 mins with Adrian one of the guides struggling to keep up- that’s what happens when you don’t give me enough time to honour one of my heroes!
    The trickle of a waterfall could be deemed an underwhelming sight but the fact it was so iconic to Shackletons Endurance adventure was really quite moving knowing he walked over the same ground.
    After a quiet little homage paid we hoofed to back to the abandoned whaling station to take photos.
    Sadly due to “ safety issues” we were not allowed within 200m of the actual buildings and structures. The huge propellers on the beach were like rusty stemless flowers, and made for good photos as did the hundreds of fur seal pups guarding the shoreline.
    There was also the odd king penguin and gentoo penguin amongst the seal pups.
    All too soon it was time to board the zodiac and head back to the ship for lunch. A change of clothes was also needed as it had been so hot this am walking in our layers and waterproofs we had sweated through every layer.
    Lunch was v nice and spent with Gary and Karina over looking the famous whaling station.
    At 1.30pm we upped anchor and headed out into the open water south to Grytviken.
    The next hour treated us to many sizeable icebergs floating past, a double rainbow and 60 knot wind gusts, so strong it was hard to stand up. We were mesmerised as we could see these wind gusts and williwaws making their way over the surface of the ocean, deafening us and blowing us off our feet as it reached us or we reached it.
    3.15pm we were suited and booted and lined up as second group to board the zodiac to go ashore.
    The boats were randomly assigned to either drop off at the museum or to the Whalers cemetery, where Shackletons grave and headstone is.
    Sadly K and I managed to get dropped off at the museum but I couldn’t contain my excitement any longer so we walked straight away over to the gravesite.    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    1

    Ernest Shackleton- a hero! Grytviken

    March 7, 2020 in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    After being dropped off at the museum K and I walked at speed the 15 mins across to the Whalers cemetery where Ernest Shackleton’s body is buried and a Scottish granite headstone marks the spot.
    This was slightly fraught with anxiety as we were the only ones walking this way and kept coming across fur and elephant seals that seemed v unhappy by being disturbed and showed this by trying to charge us!!
    I wasn’t going to let a few angry seals come between us and seeing my hero’s final resting place!
    As tradition we had a whisky toast to Shackleton and also Frank Wild who was his right hand man and who himself had 5 trips to the Antarctic on different voyages.
    His ashes we located by a biographer just in 2011 in South Africa and were re- interned in South Georgia next to Shackleton which seems v fitting, in a ceremony attended by his great granddaughter ( I think this is correct).
    I felt quite super emotional standing at the graveside of a man I have revered for sometime, especially in such a remote and special place- I felt extremely privileged .... whilst K laughed at me for feeling emotional!! She needs to read more books on Shackleton’s exploits and character.... only she can’t read!!!
    After 2 x toasts ( K was amazed as I don’t even like whisky!!) we walked back along the seal strewn shoreline photographing the old whale bones and wrecks.
    This was a v productive whaling station in its heyday and sadly was responsible for the “ processing” of 80 whales per 24 hour period. This made my heart v heavy but I am also aware that at the time there weren’t many alternatives to fuel etc and they did use every single part of these beautiful mammals. It felt like an Auschwitz for whales if I can say that.
    We didn’t take the official “tour” around the whaling station as we ran out of time but we did spend time reading the info boards at each processing stage whilst looking at the mind blowing equipment rusting as it was in its day.
    The museum at Grytviken is highly informative and really needed a whole afternoon to fully appreciate it.
    Sadly we ran through this and then to the “post office” where we bought and posted ourselves a post card. At the rear of the post office there were 12 amazing replica glass plates of Frank Hurley’s from the Endurance expedition. We learnt from historian Ed that Shackleton made Hurley smash many of his plate negatives so he wouldn’t be tempted to carry excess weight when they had to abandon the Endurance when it became lost to the ice on the Imperial Trans Antarctic Expedition- imagine the images that were lost??!!! God my heart breaks once more.
    Luckily we didn’t have time to watch the film showing the pictorial steps of processing a whale as I think I would have cried all the way home.
    Next it was to the little church that housed the whalers library and where Shackleton’s embalmed body was laid out until his funeral was held on March 5th 1922.
    We were allowed to ring the bells which was quite hilarious.
    By now it really was time to return to the last zodiac to get back to the ship. It had been such an amazing and emotional day and I just wished we had the whole day in Grytviken because there really was too much to see and do for just 3 hours.
    Back on board we upped anchor and headed down the coast of South Georgia towards the south eastern tip.
    The most fabulous day ever

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/south-georgia

    https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Grytviken

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Wild    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    11

    Gold HarBour, Cooper bay and NAFG

    March 8, 2020 in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Up at 5.30am to fog and rain and darkness
    Boarded zodiac at 6am to go ashore in Gold Harbour.
    The rain was just a slight drizzle for 20 mins as we landed on shore to a welcome party of a heap of stinky male elephant seals.
    The beach was full of fur seal pups, a huge king penguin colony and the odd Gentoo penguin waddling around.
    The glaciers surrounding the bay cane and went as did the sun and the v low cloud. It definitely got colder as the sun came up.
    Back to the boat at 8.30am for breakfast before a 10.15am zodiac cruise back around the jagged shoreline. The sun was now out and the sea was flat calm- it was glorious.
    Back on the ship at 11.30am K and I hit the hot tub!! Sitting in the spa surrounded by imposing, hanging glaciers was quite something else.
    Soon we were joined by Clare from Alice Springs and started a wave of others coming into the second hot tub including Sue and Glen from San Fran who got in as we got out.... just in time for lunch!!
    We had lunch with Diane and John from Melbourne who were v nice.
    Soon it was time for our afternoon zodiac cruise now we were anchored in Cooper Bay. Initially the sun was out but suddenly the sea fog came down and that was that.
    We cruised around enjoying the little bays filled with fur seals, elephant seals, Macaroni penguins and Chinstraps. We also saw the pin tail ducks and the pippit.
    Just before we were due back to the boat the sun came out and highlighted a big and beautiful iceberg. Vladimir our driver broke the rules and took us over for a closer look and some photos which was incredible and s lovely way to finish a lovely day.... or so we thought.
    Back on the boat we settled up in the Observation Lounge expecting to head south into the open ocean towards the Antarctic Peninsula. However what we didn’t know was that South Georgia had one last jewel to reveal to us..... Drygalski Fjord.
    OMG talk about stunning beauty- glacial blue waters framed the imposing narrow cliffs with their high hanging glaciers and the glacial waterfalls, long, low lying clouds and bright sunny blue skies. Most of the boat ( passengers and staff) were out at the bow of the boat in awe of the surroundings and the extremely unusual weather.
    Reaching the end of the fjord the captain turned the boat around and into the icy winds within minutes everyone had disappeared downstairs!
    6.45pm saw us in the cabin with the door open as we said goodbye to South Georgia watching the recap and briefing.
    7.30pm saw us enjoying dinner again with Diane and John, talking rugby and Rural Australia before heading to bed at 10pm.
    The clocks go back an hour tonight and everyone is looking forward to a sleep in during our next 2 days at sea. What was a little disconcerting was returning to our cabin after dinner and finding sick bags had been left on our bedside tables!!!
    South Georgia you have exceeded all expectations beyond belief..... goodbye Ernest Shackleton- RIP    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Day at sea - Eastern Drake Passage

    March 9, 2020, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C

    The day at sea means a day of relaxing, TV watching and eating!
    I woke up at 5.30am to a grey day but v calm sea conditions so I opened the verandah door for a while until the swells got a bit too large.
    Breakfast was at 8am and we shared it with Sue and Glen from San Fran who are just lovely. Glen and K had some common cancer chats whilst Sue and I discussed how lucky we were to be carers!! Glen won the unlucky cancer competition with an additional subdural haemorrhage and an electrocution!!!
    Back to the cabin we watched a movie and a presentation re penguins before lunch at 12.30pm. By now the sea was getting pretty rough so there was a lot of staggering in and about the dining room.
    This afternoon was back to the cabin for some reading and more TV before a film on Shackleton and then dinner at 7.30pm.
    Tmrw it will be much of the same before we get to the Antarctic Peninsula.

    Photos to follow    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Fin whales, Humpbacks and A68-a

    March 10, 2020, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ -1 °C

    Up at 8am for breakfast. The night passage was exceptionally calm and although the temperature had definitely dropped to 1 deg C, it was another grey, calm day.
    We were greeted to increasing amounts of icebergs, of increasing size throughout the morning.
    Just before lunch we were treated to about 10-20 fin whales swimming around us, identified by their clearly visible blows, their long, sleek backs and their small dorsal fins. The sea was flat calm and they swam so close to the boat it was a real treat to see.
    We came into the lee of A68-a, the biggest iceberg in the world currently, at about 12pm.
    The iceberg is reported to be 152kms in length x 48kms width with height of 300m (520 sq kms) and calved off the Larsen Glacier in 2017, floating around the Weddell Sea since. It has been calculated 1.1 trillion tonnes!!
    Due to the decision being made to go and see this phenomenon it meant we were unable to go and see/ visit Elephant Island which was a disappointment for me as this is where 22 of Shackletons men were stranded whilst he sailed in the James Caird to South Georgia to get help to rescue all of the crew of the Endurance during his Trans Imperial Antarctic Expedition.
    K and I had the speediest lunch ever which was good because after lunch there were more whales to be seen from every angle of the boat!
    At 1.15pm we were told that there would be an impromptu zodiac cruise for everyone at 2.20pm- bonus!
    Getting dressed in an extra bottom layer and extra gloves we got into the zodiac with driver Christian..... but also Stefan who is absolutely delightful but has the biggest camera lens and gets in everyone’s way with it to get the shots he wants!
    We spent the next 2 hours driving amongst the icebergs and being treated to swimming fin whales within 10-25m from the boat and all within the lee of this huge floating iceberg reportedly twice the size of Luxembourg.
    Fin whales are v basic in their behaviour so we were all super excited when we came across some humpbacks that were not only close but showed us their flukes as they dived deeper into the clear, frigid water. Lots of photos were taken by everyone.
    We were pretty sure we also saw a Southern Right whale when it came out of the water and we saw it’s barnacled face.
    On top if this we saw lots of cape petrels bobbing around in the surface.
    We also came across 1 lone Adele penguin chick atop a good size berg whilst next to it there was a huge fur seal sat atop the smallest piece of floating ice- maybe an exchange of accommodation could be negotiated!
    After about 1.5 hours I had really cold feet, hands and face so tmrw I will def need extra layers whilst K said she was quite warm except for her hands due to using her camera.
    Back on the boat it was warming up with a hot drink and then intermittent warming and freezing as we had to keep going outside or heaps more fin and humpback whales.
    At 6pm there had just been too much excitement so we came to the cabin .... where we watched more fin whales from the comfort of our sofa!
    Now just having our daily recap and briefing before dinner at 7.30pm.
    Another totally incredible day .... and we are still only in the Scotia Sea and not even far enough south to be in the Antarctic Peninsula. 4 days in the peninsula to go!

    Photos to follow    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Antarctic Sound and Paulet Island

    March 11, 2020 in Antarctica ⋅ ☀️ -1 °C

    This morning we woke up at 6am to grey, calm waters littered with incredible icebergs and growlers ( low, small chunks of ice that K still laughs at because she can be a 12yr old boy at times!)
    Breakfast was at 7.30am and by 8am we were done so we went up to the Observation Lounge to take in the panoramic views.
    After sailing through Antarctic Sound (named after the ship Antarctic and not the continent) we dropped anchor in the lee of Paulet Island.
    Surprisingly we were the second group to board the zodiac so we got to go ashore with the first half of passengers whilst the other half went zodiac cruising.
    We had an hour on land on the extinct volcanic crater where we viewed the Nordenskjolds stone hut built during the Swedish 1901-1904 Antarctic Expedition.
    There was also a huge Blue eyed cormorant colony on the triangular slopes that promptly flew off in their droves so sadly the second lot didn’t get to see the collective thousands.
    Aswell as enjoying the general view we managed to photo a couple of the Adelie penguins that were v late leaving their colony.
    At 10.15am we swapped groups and spent the next hour zodiac cruising along the shore spotting Weddell seals and large icebergs grounded in the bay.
    We were treated to one of the icebergs half collapsing which was a real treat.
    Back on board by 11.30am it was rest and relaxation and warming up before lunch.
    After lunch we pulled up anchor and were sailing for our pm landing of Browns Bluff but it was too rough to land so we continued motoring south. On the way we were treated to huge ice blue, tabular icebergs, feeding humpbacks and general beauty.
    K spotted an orca from the cabin window whilst we were also watching the second half of Shackleton the movie- there was just too much excitement!!!
    After this we went up to Observation Lounge and spotted 10-20 fin whales, more feeding humpbacks and hundreds of penguins sitting/shitting on huge icebergs floating by.
    Dinner was spent pleasantly with Diane and Carl learning about poor Diane’s wife swapping friends ..... and husband!!! Now ex husband!!
    Before we knew it is was 10pm and K was snoring gently. Another fantastic day

    Photos to follow    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Graham Passage and Portal Point

    March 12, 2020 in Antarctica ⋅ ☁️ 0 °C

    The wake up call was at 07.15am today and although we had woken earlier and the verandah door was open, we didn’t get up until 8am.
    Laying in bed searching for whale blows and enjoying icebergs as they floated past was a lovely way to spend half an hour.
    We breakfasted at 8am surrounded by numerous glaciers lining Graham Passage.
    By 08.30am we were back upstairs looking for the telltale whale blows.
    We were first to go out this am which was an amendment to the program which had us wrongly last ( as usual!!), so K and I were dressed to the hilt in record time and found ourselves one of the first in the zodiac.
    Our driver today was the big boss “Woody” who was v good at taking us around the spectacular huge icebergs that were surrounding the ship.
    Next we drove into Graham Bay, a bay which was made up entirely of sea level glaciers.
    To make it even more stunning we spent 40 mins watching 2 feeding humpbacks!! Wow what an amazing experience as they dived, resurfaced, slapped the surface with their pectoral fins and showed us their fluke time and time again. They were so close to the zodiacs but were not at all bothered as they fed to gain stores for their 6-8 month fast as they head north to warmer waters in coming weeks.
    After being out for 2 hours it was back to the boat. K and I tried to use the outdoor spa but despite walking around the ship in our bathrobes and togs we were disappointed to find the spa was freezing cold!
    After a hot shower it was more whales watching this time from the observation lounge until lunch time at 12.30pm, which we spent with Diane and John from Melbourne.
    After lunch we were last on the zodiacs for a cruise around Portal Point. It was 0 degs C so K and I wore so many layers we nearly boiled to death waiting to board the boats thanks to other passengers faffing around.
    Anyway we were lucky to both get at the front of our zodiac and for the next 45 mins we got to watch another 3-4 humpbacks feeding and playing around within metres from the zodiacs. How lucky are we?? The annoying American Lady with the large camera got right shitty as she was at the back of the zodiac ( despite being at the front for so many trips), and shouted at K at one point to keep her head down!! She is so rude unless she is at the front or on the best side at all times- the funniest thing was K didn’t realise she was talking to her so didn’t budge but nor did she need to.
    Next (sadly) we had to swap with the passengers on land (our first steps onto Continental Antarctica). We got to climb a small ice encrusted incline where we had sweeping views of the iceberg filled bay, another humpback and able to enjoy the general beauty of our surroundings.
    Back on the boat at 5pm K and I had another attempt at the spa which was meant to have been fixed but we braved it even though it was lukewarm at best. We shivered through 20 mins before returning to the cabin for a hot shower, some bubbly we had brought with us and a relax before heading for dinner at 7.30pm.
    Dinner was shared with Sue and Ray who are managing to drink the ship dry night after night!!
    K is now asleep at 9.30pm. Another magnificent day with soo many close whale encounters.
    We only have 2 days left in Antarctica and then sadly it is 2 days to cross the infamous Drake Passage before they kick us off Tuesday am- we will be so v v sad to leave this floating palace!!

    More photos to follow    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
    2

    Enterprise Island

    March 13, 2020, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C

    This morning consisted of a zodiac boat cruise with Justin, in the snow and later rain as we cruised amongst the icebergs in and around Enterprise Island. The icebergs were such beautiful sculptures it was like being in Nature’s art gallery. The varying hues of blue were indescribable ( so I won’t try to describe them!!) and the grey sky behind looked pink in the many photographs taken.
    Justin was pretty slow and cautious driving the boat which wasn’t maximising people’s enjoyment as a. Everyone wanted to see more whales 🐳 and b. The driving snow wasn’t too comfortable.
    We were also v aware that all the other zodiacs were steaming out into open water..... and yes there were humpbacks 🐋!! Finally we joined everyone else and were treated once more to some close encounters with 3 feeding humpbacks 🐋
    Sadly we missed the spectacle of the morning- a fully breaching humpback 🐋 as we were returning to ship.
    We did manage to spot this huge whale ( about 36,000kgs) lift it’s full body out of the water x 2 out on the horizon...... watched by the passengers in 5 other zodiacs..... gutted!..... it’s just the luck of the draw on the driver you get each excision on the experience you have.....and this time we were so far away.
    Back on board we ironically warmed up in preparation for .... the Polar Plunge at 11.30am.
    I will do another post re the Polar Plunge photos but basically I jumped off the ship into freezing waters whilst K in 4 layers took photos from the top deck!
    After a hot shower it was time for lunch and the captain pulled up the anchor and sailed approx 3 hours south to Cuverville Island where we were due to have an afternoon excursion.
    After lunch we went up to the Observation Lounge for a coffee and spent an hour or so watching numerous humpback whales feeding in the Antarctic Waters as we passed them - not a care in the world- any of us!! The blows were easy to spot at the sea was so calm and we realised a lot of the whales 🐳 fed around the icebergs, no matter how big or small. We all ended up with whiplash looking from side to side as people spotted blow after blow, tail slaps, fin slaps etc.
    Just before 3pm we returned to the cabin to recharge camera batteries etc and I was watching the news whilst K was whale spotting from the verandah.
    K called me out as there were some humpbacks 🐋 v close on the left of the verandah. I was half complaining on getting my socks wet when on looking to the right we spotted 2 humpbacks heading straight towards us just near the edge of the verandah, when suddenly....... a 3rd unseen humpback fully breached with a pirouette right outside the verandah not 5m from where we were both standing!!!! It was so close K missed the first photo as she was zoomed out but managed to get a second shot as the whale lowered its huge body back into the water. OMG what a treat?!!! We couldn’t believe it and both broke out into spontaneous cheers and clapping!!!
    Watching the whales, it breached again near the stern of the boat before it dived never to be seen again. How lucky are we.... our own breaching whale outside 502!!
    Back up in the Observation Lounge everyone was talking about the breaching whale .... but the only person to get a photo of it because it was so close to the ship was K!!!
    Everyone with massive lenses were less than courteous as they were gutted they didn’t get “ the shot”!!! A win for cameras with small lenses..... and K’s exceptionally sharp timing.

    Photos to follow    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Polar Plunge

    March 13, 2020, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌧 1 °C

    The Polar Plunge was called at 11.30am. Wearing togs/ cossy and my lovely fluffy bathroom I made my way down to the “mudroom” whilst K went up to the top deck to watch/ take photos.
    I was really surprised to find the line of others in their bathrobes, nearly out of the door!
    It was in the midst of excited but nervous chatter we slowly made our way forward towards the open gangway in the side of the ship.
    2 humpback whales were spotted cruising past.... probably in wonderment about what was taking place!!
    The Quark team were well oiled ( not literally) with 1 person taking and storing shoes, second one taking off the warm bathrobes and then we were ushered out towards the platform where a wet, cold harness was fitted around our waists.
    Throughout all of this there were anxious thoughts “how cold is it”, “will I be able to breathe and not go into shock” etc etc
    Standing in togs was enough to make anyone feel vulnerable but with the glaciers and icebergs in the background it intensified the feeling.
    However I must confess that this was not my first plunge in Antarctic waters- Feb 19th 2006 saw a few of us have one of the best and funniest afternoons of our lives which involved several polar plunges, a photo shoot on an ice flow within metres of a crabeater seal and just more icy merriment!
    Back to the World ExPlorer we were walked down the steps to the lower platform, hooked up to a rescue line and advised to “smile for the camera on the right”! No time to think I took a big jump off the platform and plunged into the icy Antarctic waters- loved it!!
    I swam the couple of strokes back to the platform and climbed the ladder back up to the platform ( not before taking the time to check my bikini top was still in place!!)
    Getting out another staff member wrapped me in a towel, handed me my bathrobe and then handed my a polar plunge badge- bonus!
    I was then handed my sandals and it was off I went. Di and Karl jumped after me and they were fine.
    It didn’t even feel too cold and it was so lovely I was v tempted to join the back of the line and jump again- however knowing how much Quark staff were sticklers for rules I reluctantly headed for a warm shower. I still wasn’t even cold!
    Showered and dressed K came and met me and off we went for lunch.
    Great experience.

    The water temp was a reported 0.8 degs C and in the end 64 of us took the opportunity to jump off the starboard platform to earn the “Polar Plunge” badge. The photos shown at the recap later that evening were brilliant.    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Cuverville Island

    March 13, 2020 in Antarctica ⋅ 🌧 1 °C

    At 4pm ( still buzzing from the excitement of the breaching humpback outside 502!!) we were one of the first ones to land at Cuverville Island amongst the Gentoo penguin 🐧 colony- we could smell them before we could see them.
    We had an amazing hour walking amongst the cute Gentoo penguins which were super inquisitive. Cones and flags had been put out for us to mark the path through the colony to minimise the disruption that 100 people ashore can cause, however the penguins had absolutely no respect for them whatsoever!!!
    We were taking photos of mature chicks chasing their parents for more food but because the rocks were so slick there was a lot of clumsy falling- it was hilarious to watch and photograph.
    We stood still to take some photos and videos and before we knew it we were being pecked at by v inquisitive/ v cute Gentoo penguins 🐧. K held her camera low to get some angled shots and they really were drawn to the clicking of the shots being taken- she has some cracker photos on her camera.
    Before too long we had to leave the penguin rookery and the iceberg clogged bay that framed the island however we had 4t mins zodiac cruise.
    Once more we cruised amongst the stunning icebergs, sadly there were no more whales but we did come upon the fattest leopard seal ever seen, sleeping on an ice floe. It hardly raises its head as the 2 x zodiacs cruised past numerous times trying to get a shot of its head and face which was easier said than done.
    The ship had moved into the bay filled with little bergs and brash ice which was v picturesque as we drove back to it at 6.30pm to prepare for the on deck BBQ dinner at 7pm. Preparation meant swapping wet weather gear for more warm, dry layers before braving the brisk and damp weather to shiver through our BBQ dinner.
    Sue came and joined us at desert because apparently whoever they were sitting with were having “ end of the world” conversations and she couldn’t cope any more!!
    The glacial scenery was stunning where we were but the serenity was slightly blighted by the pumping disco music being played by the staff!!! There was an atmosphere of a potential foam pool party had it not been 2 degs!!
    The staff were suddenly called away to an urgent meeting and on going downstairs to get a coffee there were obvious rumblings of something afoot.... maybe Sue should have stayed for that end of world conversation after all!!
    We were all called to an urgent briefing at 8pm..... it is Friday 13th after all!!

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuverville_Island

    https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Ats/Guideline/0f0b44b5…    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Friday 13th and bad news

    March 13, 2020 in Antarctica ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C

    After a great day and a pleasant BBQ dinner on the top deck in the lee of Cuverville Island we were summonsed for a boat “ recap and briefing”.
    Sadly we were then informed that Argentina was stopping all of its flights out of the country to US, UK, Europe and China from midnight Monday 16th.
    Due to this we were leaving Antarctica immediately to get us back to Ushuaia by the morning of Monday 16th Instead of Tuesday 17th as planned 😕😕
    We were to lose our last day in Antarctica which is so sad but can’t be helped. Those who don’t need to fly out early like us are able to stay on the boat on Monday until Tuesday am so we will be doing that.
    Immediately the anchors were pulled off and we steamed off towards the Drake Passage.
    I stowed anything that could move or clatter and went to bed for what was to be a v uncomfortable night.
    Bye Antarctica u have been amazing!!

    Photos to follow    Read more

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