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Once cargo operations had completed yesterday, many of the expeditioners took to the fast ice immediately adjacent to the ship, to stretch their legs and enjoy the late evening sunshine, fast becoming objects of curiosity for the local Adelie and Emperor penguin populations who sauntered across the flagged work surface in between expeditioners kneeling or lying in respectful silence towards these inquisitive locals.
By 2030hs we had welcomed to the ship the 19 members of the French (IPEV) team who are returning with us to Hobart via Macquarie Island, the majority of whom having spent their winter at DDU. Sometime after 2200hs with the ship made ready for sailing, we reversed out of the fast ice and turned North, bidding farewell to DDU. Interesting to observe the reactions of the French wintering team as they watched their familiar shoreline, home for over a year, recede into the vast contours of the East Antarctic coastline.
Those who chose to remain up to walk the decks and watch the ship manoeuvre its way through the pack ice were probably not expecting to round the corner of the companion way to find an impromptu wedding ceremony complete with vows, music and some hastily improvised dresses (and bridesmaids) being conducted on the heli-deck. But there you have it – and they say Antarctica brings people together. In this instance, the ceremony, was solely to support one of our expeditioner's accreditation as a marriage celebrant.
And so, buoyed with a sense of achievement and around 230 tonnes lighter, the ship past through the evening bathed in brilliant sunshine nudging crisp white ice-flows whilst avoiding the icebergs set against the brightest of blue skies. And then there were orca.
Today, little of which to speak. A choppy mixed up sea has persuaded many to stay horizontal whilst those that did venture out to the evening meal found an array of Tasmanian brews brought out for special occasions complemented by French champagne courtesy of an appreciative team at Dumont d'Urville.
A quiet evening on board. Just the creaking and banging of the ship, the hum of its engines as it bumps across the swell, and the sound of wind and snow showers outside.
Regards.
James and Leanne.
Map
A map showing Australia and Antarctica. The map shows the journey of one voyage that has occured in the season, with each route highlighted in a distinct colour.