Our Captain awoke us this morning with a sighting of Orcas on the port side at 7am. Grabbing my long lens, and still in night attire aka boxers the -16 degree wind chill factor was quite suprise, as I was to the Orcas so they swam away !

The fun continued with the Captain announcing again, in the middle of breakfast this time, that the ice shield walk would commence in 15 minutes time starting with the red group, ie us !

Surprising the cabin attendant we ran back in, stripped off and geared up for a cold excursion. The ride over was good, and the walk on the sea ice exhilarating.

The surface was a mixture of ice and snow, very slippy in a few places. I managed to break thru the a top layer at one stage, giving myself and H a surprise. Luckily it was firm underneath. At this point we were the most southerly ship in the world.

After a leisurely lunch it was back to the cabin to sort pics or have a nap, as we headed north to Cape Bird. The weather looked a bit dicey as we arrived a few hours later, but could see thousands of Adélie penguins in rookeries.

“Bonjour, it is your Captain speaking, the red group can disembark in 15 minutes time” Another mad rush, this time by myself, H had a better offer of knitting and hot chocolate whilst watching mad Zodiac drivers…..

The fluffy babies were cute, but the attrition rate was terrible, with bodies strewn everywhere. Most couples have 2 eggs, sacrificing one whilst growing up and providing food for Skuas.

We walked along a set out corridor, gradually climbing to the highest rookery.

I didn’t stay long up here, the Skua’s were circling prey and I didn’t really want to watch them catch one.

They babies are delightful creatures, even if slightly smelly and covered in regurgitated fish !

By the time I got back to the beach it had started to snow, and a few growlers had beached. This made the trip back slightly frantic, I got fairly wet and the boat half filled with water with a surprise wave coming over the stern. Good call H, a hot chocolate in the lounge was greatly appreciated, as was dinner and hopefully an early bed……” this is your Captain speaking” Noooo !