The Antarctic Disease - I've got it bad. Monday, January 24 At sea Snow petrel, both greater and lesser, followed the ship for hours and left us spellbound with their graceful performance. We trooped up to the bridge and outside decks to try and catch a sight of the Balleny Islands. We were greeted by a strange and eerie scene, as, surrounded by mist, snow falls on our ship. By 1.10am we were extricated from pack ice and heading through gloom and low cloud towards Macquarie Island.
Weather still calm with little swell.
Let's hope it lasts. The ice polished hull now does 12 knots plus, so we are going fast northbound than when we came south. Mistakes may have been made, and errors of judgements. In a word, guts. Friday, January 28 Macquarie Island Expedition members were visibly heartened to see Macquarie Island, and then to experience the tranquillity of Lusitania Bay, with the king penguin welcoming committee late afternoon.