13th January Sunday
We are still held in her icy grip;
This is our 75th day away from home 63 of those days on the ice and we are all now getting home sick, I just can’t wait to be back to the place I love most in the world, Ireland.
The wind hit us hard;
Yesterday was very windy and we could see no end to the katabatic winds that hit us. But this morning to our surprise the winds have eased. So all going well, provided the winds don’t increase again, our Russian aircraft will depart from Punta Arenas tomorrow sometime and make it’s 6 hour journey to pick us up from Patriot Hills here at the edge of the Antarctic continent to bring us back to civilization.
Homeward bound.
We will then sort out all our gear and leave South America on the 16th January at 04:00 am for our journey home. All going well we will be back in Cork on the evening of the 17th January.
The first item on our agenda on getting back to South America is to have a hot shower and a good meal.
If all goes to plan we will then get all our equipment sorted for shipping home.
A hard life;
Expedition life is a hard one, but it does make you appreciate the simple things that I have taken for granted in my earlier life. Family, friends, those that love us. The beauty of my country, it’s people, tradition and our culture. I’m so looking forward to home, to see Ireland’s forty shades of green, a walk in our native woods, a climb on Corran Tuathail, a pint in Kate kearney’s cottage in the Gap of Dunloe, a visit to Tom’s pub, (South Pole Inn) to pay my respects to one of the un-sung heros; Tom Crean.
New dreams;
Here on the ice, I dream of home and when I get home, I will dream of other my next adventurer. I will reflect on my 62nd expedition in Antarctica and wonder how we could have done better, prepare a new lecture series, start my next book, but most of all plan my next adventure.
I’m looking forward to a belated Christmas dinner and a welcome home from my family, friends and supporters. The most important people on the team.
Lets hope all goes to plan and tomorrow we leave this amazing landscape of a heaven in hell or a hell in heaven. That the Gods of Antarctica releases us from her icy grips safely.
It’s not over yet. Lets see what tomorrow brings.
