Thursday 27th November:

We’re into our third day since we left our campsite in Dorian Bay which
was to be our last landing on Antarctic soil, and the last activity of
any note until we reach Ushuaia again. The subsequent time on board has
surprisingly seen a renewed element of endurance for everyone on board.
There’s no avoiding the fact that after the excitement and highs of
cruising through and landing on the Antarctic continent, the three day
sail through the Drake Passage back to Ushuaia , would test us all.

We’ve had to endure the rough rolling seas which make walking, dining,
dressing, showering and even sitting still difficult. The near complete
lack of sleep for three nights is pushing my limits of tolerance but
we’re all managing to remain civil and friendly, as everyone is
literally in the same boat ! Thankfully most of us have well
established sea legs so sea sickness over these huge swells and rolls is
rare enough.

Today is our last full day at sea, and spirits are lifted by calmer
seas, sunshine and the prospect of coming to anchor in the Beagle
Channel tonight, knowing that we’ll be back on dry land in the morning.
Personally the prospect of having a shower without having to hold on for
dear life, provides enough of a boost to get through the first part of
day in fine form.

Yesterday was spent reading and snoozing in the lounge as the horizon
rises and drops 30 or 40 feet in the view out the windows. We have 2
talks that break up the day on Climate Change and the personal story of
Pat Falvey’s remarkable achievements to date, after which it’s back to
the task of somehow making time go faster and then the struggle of
trying to sleep. Although our bunks are small enough, the force in
which you are thrown about during the night makes a good nights sleep
impossible for most. I’ve done my best to minimise the impact by
wedging my cumbersome rigid life jacket on one side and roll of blankets
on the other and lying coffin style with just about enough movement to
reach my watch and watch the hands appear to go backwards, until our
alarm call comes over the speakers.

There’s no heroic fortitude on show and everyone is quite willing to
share how relieved they’ll be when this leg of the trip is over. I
think then, when our minds aren’t as distracted, will the full impact of
where we’ve been and what we’ve experienced occupy our thoughts again
fully and continue to do so for a long time to come.