25th January 2008 – Cruising the Gerlache Strait and Croker Passage from Paradise Harbour.

Time 07:25, 64 degrees 50.31’ South, 62 degrees 56.90’ West, overcast’ snow, sleet and heavy rain, Wind east force 6, gusting force nine earlier, Air Temperature 6 degrees oC, Water Temperature 1.4 oC, Sunrise 5;20am, Sunset 11.20pm

For anyone interested as yesterday was the one and only time we succeeded in getting down the Le Maire Channel our furthest south position for the season was 65 degrees 13.40’ South.

Woke this morning to wet and very windy weather, got ready for the landing and proceeded to the gangway deck, overheating asd usual with all the gear on ready to ride the zodiac ashore. The gangway doors were not open and we waited a while before announcement by our expedition team leader Allan was made saying that the landing was being postponed for a few hours to see if weather conditions improved. We went back to our cabins, referred to our “houses” by the team because of the length of time we have been living there, on our respective deck corridor, referred to as our “street” by the team. My house now well and truely smells like a penguin rookery, god help the next person to get it. I took a short rest and then joined the team and waited for further announcements. At midday the captain decided to abandon the landing in the interest of safety because the weather had not really improved. This is the first time this season we missed the landing at Paradise Harbour. We then sailed slow up the Gerlache strait and Croker Passage towards Half Moon Island. On two occasions Icebergs as big as the ship passed and we saw very rare Snow Petrels. These birds are snow white and often rest on large icebergs when they become almost invisible. The weather yesterday and today was a classic example of the unpredictability of Antarctic weather. Yesterday morning we sailed through the Le Maire Channel in mirror calm waters and glorious sunshine and the next morning it is dull, grey, very wet very cold and very windy. It was very disappointing not to make the landing but most passengers I spoke to agreed that the landing conditions would have been too dangerous.

The rain clouds over the Gerlache Strait this afternoon.

The north end of Brabandt Island in the Gerlache Strait this afternoon.

A small sample of the passenger wellie fashion during our landing on Jougla Point, Port Lockroy yesterday.

Wild life seen today.

Mammals
Humpback Whale 9

Birds
Giant Petrel 3
Snow Petrel 5
Wilson’s Storm Petrel 15+
Gentoo Penguin 10+

Chinstrap Penguin 6
Antarctic Shag 3
Brown Skua 25 plus
South Polar Skua 6+

Kelp Gull 1
Antarctic Tern 12+

Note: The + sign after the counts indicates that we saw at least that number but more may have been present.

Once again a big thank you to all those who left comments on the blog and have been following our season.

A special shout to all in the Roaring Donkey in Cobh - Thanks lads!

James - No guitar on board! - I think I will need a few lessons from you when I get back.

Margaret - thanks for all the comments and texts.

Last landing of the season tomorrow starting at 6am - fingers crossed the weather improves.

Bye for now.

Time 20:49, 63 degrees 41.61’ South, 61 degrees 17.96’ West, very very wet, overcast, foggy, Air Temperature 4 C, Water Temperature 1.6 C, Wind East force 6