Sunday ( but no newspapers )
16th March, 2008Awoken by our trusty skipper with his inspiring words, we realised that we had got through the night almost unscathed, with remarkably kind seas. We checked outside our cabin doors, but no papers left with yesterdays news. All our teams will have won anyway. Oh well, somehow that is all starting to feel like a long long way away.
How do they produce such a cracking breakfast? Lightly scambled eggs and bacon, fruit and crossaints, against a backdrop of gently rolling seas. And then a morning of various pursuits: a trip to the bridge to chat with the hugely focused autopilot and check the charts. 155 degrees south felt like we were heading vaguely to where we should be. Sea all around, a few birds watching our progress with quite some interest.
A excellent first lecture on climate change ( thank you James B) in a crowded conference room. Clearly a subject of major interest for everyone on the expedition and a real thirst for more information and discussion over the next few days.
Some walking around the decks ( did we miss the pool and the deck quoits on our tour?), some reading, some sleeping and some chilling. And a Latin American afternoon, with siestas for some and some getting used to the waves for others.
Back to the conference room for Bernice to enlighten us on the wildlife of Antarctica, all of which awaits us in days to come. Videos and dinner, time to chat and to reflect on a relaxing day. Just what Sunday should be like. But yippee: no going to the office tomorrow. Excitement builds, the expeditionary force in great spirits, and sunset over the Drake Passage at the end of Day 4.
( for those who have been following this epic tale and enjoying the photos c/o JC, with regrets we have been unable to locate him at this hour of broadcast. We will do better tomorrow)
