Tag: adventure

Sailing from Newcastle to Geelong Day 1

dolphins became our frequent visitors.  Diving out of the water and playing under the bow.  Our first pod met us as we left Newcastle Harbour, suddenly appearing out of no-were and joining us for 20 minutes.  Every day all the way down the coast we were privileged to meet at least two pods, they always brought a smile and excitement to the boat.  

Accidental red run

We headed back to base, I found the amazing Akadio and advised her that I wanted to be skiing advanced runs upright within the hour.  She smiled politely and then I tripped over getting into the line for the lift…. 

Change of plans

Then after the most boring five days of my life, the Universe smiled on me. I was given the option of flying home instead of taking the ship…. It was a big decision and I carefully considered my options. The benefits home two weeks earlier then planned…. flying not rocking my way through the roughest latitudes in the world… internet access. It took about 2 secs, to recover the power of speech and agree to take one for the team. OK, I’ll fly home since some-one needs to do it. Happy dance, happy dance, happy dance.

Travelling home – part 1

It seemed like hours before finally the blob appeared, with my slightly dodgy eyesight, I had to wait longer then everyone else but it was there. A couple of low flyovers later and a bright shiny red little Basler landed smoothly on the sea ice, gliding to a stop right in front of us. A human emerged from the steps and I think I might have looked like a timid monkey hiding behind the guys peering out. It was the first human we had seen for ten months!!

Spring has sprung

Antarctic in winter as a preview of death!!! In winter the landscape does seem impassive but with the return of life the landscape has become more interactive. You get a response. A seal pup rolling around on the ice annoying its mother. A snow petrel playing chicken with the wind turbine. Squa’s hanging around watching everything intently like a fat kid at a buffet.

Penguin poo smells really bad

…when we find the first little footprints in the snow that signal the Adelie penguins have started to arrive home.

Soon the Island will be swarming with hundreds of penguins. They will be fighting over little rocks, laying eggs and keeping watch. The Rookery Island will be a place of energy, action and lots and lots of fresh smelly poo!!!!!