Polar Bird, Tuesday, 27th November 2001
We had a day break from field training today, as we creeped inexorably closer to Davis. The morning was a bit overcast, but after lunch blue skies and absolutely still weather reigned. The air temperature of 5° seemed positively tropical, after the last few days, and warm in the sheltered sun. The Captain was using the open air starboard bridge, finding convenient strings of leads of open water. Occasionally he would have to back up the ship and ram the floes, the ship shuddering and bending with the immense forces. The ice floes often a few metres thick would crack up and be pushed some distance, often alarming squads of adelie penguins or crabeater seals. Because of the fine weather, a BBQ was declared above the poop deck and was very much enjoyed by all. Many passengers were badly affected by the nasty virus circulating around the ship, including Anya and Tom, alas. One wonders what devastation will be unleashed on the Davis winter group in a couple of days !! The ship might have to hoist the yellow flag. The perfect conditions lasted well into the evening, with perfect relections of the bow in the inky blue open water. The sun finally set well after midnight because of our western longitude, the air temperature dropping to a crisp -4°. Progress was surprisingly good

Position at 24:04 local time (UT +7hr) S 67°02'04" E 75°51'38"
194 km NW of Davis

Photos

In the ice 1
In the ice 2 ...
In the ice 3 - sunset
Antarctic hero?
Waiting for Godot .......
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