Hopping

We arrived back in the Falkland Islands late last week, I kept measurements running almost until the last day of the cruise, I had packed everything away, was really looking forward to my first long walk, and a run along the beach, then as I walked over to close the last box I stubbed my toe and broke it. :( I’m now on crutches and hobbling round at a snails pace and feeling most sorry for myself, poor me. Clearly the walking holiday in Chile is now out of the question but I’m confident I can find fun activities that don’t involve toes!

Most of the scientists left this morning, I was sad to see everyone go, what a great group of people to have worked with for the last 2 months. We’ve had various ‘end of campaign’ drinks and meals over the last week to celebrate a successful cruise. The crew, who've been fantastic, so helpful, have now gone and another team taken over, and others travelling to Rothera have joined the ship for the next voyage so lots of new faces on board. I find myself unable to reflect over the past two months, it’s all a blur in my mind, probably because I’m still on the ship, or possibly because I’m doped up on painkillers!

Despite the broken toe, I had a wonderful day out yesterday, Bruce, Jess, John and I walked through Stanley, the main town and port of the Falkland Islands to the museum, which is packed full of old Antarctic and Falklands memorabilia. An old wooden Antarctic rescue hut complete with old clothing, camping equipment and food supplies was fascinating- incredible that people set out across Antarctica over 100 years ago, having only dogs and horses to help them pull their sledges, with few of the gadgets we take for granted now. Many of course didn't make it back, including all those in Robert Falcon Scott's party who were attempting to be the first to reach the south pole - after months of walking the 883 miles from their winter camp, through blizzards and temperatures as low as -20C, they found they'd been beaten to it by one month by the Norwegian team led by Roald Amundsen (in 1912)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Falcon_Scott The station at the south pole, run by the Americans, is named after both polar explorers 

Today has also been lots of fun, not being able to venture far from the ship and it being extremely windy outside, Patrick and I made a stunt kite out of spare bits of wood, tarpaulin and duct tape, which, after a few modifications, flew surprisingly well!

A Lazy Sunday Afternoon

After a fun Saturday night in the Shackleton bar it’s a relaxing Sunday today, a bit of housework as it's Captain's rounds on a Sunday, a trip to the doctors for a repeat prescription of nicotine patches (5 weeks now and the cravings have subsided considerably), and a game of badminton in the hold, which is now clear enough to allow a makeshift court, albeit slightly squashed. After a healthy lunch I spent the afternoon reading the Sunday papers and printing off articles for others to read (the speed of the internet connection and general aversion of printers to do my bidding making this a full afternoon’s job, though it did allow me to find the comfiest chair I’ve sat on for months in the ship’s office – one disadvantage of perpetual motion is chairs locked in place at least a foot from the nearest table) Then a little bit of work followed by circuit training. All in all a very pleasant Sunday on board the Shackleton. Scientific discoveries are on hold whilst the ship is moving in circles recovering moorings and making CTD measurements, I’ve been analysing data which suggests high iodocarbon concentrations in diatom rich ice which is great news!

I’ve made preparations for onward travel –someone in Argentina will only let as many Brits as will fit in one aeroplane above their land so I must spend six days in the Falklands before flying to Chile, I’ll have plenty of time to pack up and walk off some of Rab and Ray’s cooking at least. I fly to Punta Arenas on the 14th March, myself and a few others on board plan to explore the coastline on motorbikes, then I’ll hike the ‘W’ route in the Torres del Paine national park, which provides some of the most amazing scenery imaginable. Then it’s a short flight up to Santiago, and the nearby Lakes District where there is much fun to be had – zip-lining, canopying, which involves swinging through trees on a harness, and horse-back riding expeditions, then I think a few relaxing days on a beach, maybe a little surfing, before flying back to the UK on the 3rd April, so see you then!