Bank holidays

Do you like them or loathe them?

Are they a chance to catch up with chores, family or friends?

Just spend at home or venture further afield?

I loathe them, perhaps because I think we should do something rather than stay in, especially in retirement.

So today I took myself off for a walk to our local woods. I took some photos, talked to myself about how I’m feeling, and to focus on the joys of life moving forward.

I cleaned out a cupboard and came across some old photos, they made me smile.

April 2024 so far

I can’t believe we’ve been back from our cruise almost 3 weeks: it’s certainly been pretty full on.

First day back and Georgina’s new car was hit, resulting in a lot of damage. Thankfully she was fine and that’s the main thing.

We’ve seen a lot of River, been to Brighton, Arbroath ( a 14 hour+ drive that I don’t want to repeat again), Lakeside and London.

There are lots of family birthday’s in April, five in total. This year we had a big one with Georgina turning 30.

There’s been time spent with family and dear friends, we enjoyed a Sunday roast, gardening and a trip down memory lane seeing Blue at the London Palladium. I’ve also participated in an online photography session which I’ve had a play with lenses and tips subsequently.

A spa day followed by dinner at Smiths of Wapping made for an incredible day. It was lovely to see how loved Georgina is and how her friends value her caring nature. She is an amazing young woman, who makes us proud everyday, deserving of all the love and happiness in the world.

I hope that May will be less busy, although I have a list of chores to get done before the 31st.

Last day of our amazing adventure

We arrived in Buenos Aires, and even though our hotel was a few minutes from the Port it took over an hour to locate the passengers to make the short journey. Once ensconced in the hotel Emperador we sat outside in the warm sun and enjoyed lunch and drinks.

Kevin and I went for a walk nearby, and on our return we enjoyed drinks in the lounge before getting ready for dinner and an Argentine tango show.

The dinner was fabulous, and the show very entertaining. They even danced to ‘Billie Jean’ by Michael Jackson. This was a perfect end to the most amazing adventure.

Next morning we had a fairly early start for the airport, with a delay at Rio too. We arrived home on the morning of the 6th of April.

This certainly was the most amazing experience, it felt like three different holidays. The buzz of Argentina, to the tranquility of the Antarctic, and the serenity of the Falklands. To see up close the wildlife and hear them too, to see them go about their lives was indescribable ( although I have tried). We’ve learned so much about the history, the science, the geography, climate and a whole lot more. We met some amazing people, some solo travellers, and an 82 year old lady with mobility issues, who fully participated in activities at sea and on land, crew and passengers making that possible.

I have so many highlights, possibly one for everyday. It truly was an experience of a lifetime, and I’m so happy that I was encouraged to go. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I certainly had to push myself on a few occasions, and the sense of achievement is immense.

Thankyou to Viv and Don ( and Kevin) for making the trip special, for the opportunity, the laughter and spending quality time with them. It was great that we faced the challenges of ice, snow and the cold. Well done to Don and Kevin for kayaking and to Viv and Kevin completing a polar plunge.

All that aside, it is great to be home, and to see and catch up with family and friends, who we missed immeasurably.

Now to start planning our next adventure!

The last few days

We spent two days at sea, filled with many activities, Viv and I even turned our hand at making towel animals. It was hilarious. Next time we have overnight guests I’ll be having a bash. 😂😂 There was a visit to the bridge, which was very interesting and informative. We learnt a little about hybrid power and how the ship is steered. It makes you wonder how on earth the explorers managed without all the high tech gizmos and gadgets. Our final evening of goodbyes to fellow passengers and crew, with the crew band raising the roof. On the morning of the 4th April I watched the sun rise as we arrived into the Port in Buenos Aires, Puerto Nuevo. It’s funny standing out on the balcony and it’s warm, and the port is large and noisy. So far removed from Antarctica.

April Fools Day in Puerto Madryn

We arrived in this port, and were able to disembark using the gangway. We had a 3 hour walking tour around the town, although as it was Easter Monday the Welsh tea shop was closed, so that was a little disappointing.

The town was founded on 28 July 1865, when 150 welsh immigrants arrived aboard the clipper Mimosa into the natural port Porth Madryn in honour of Sir Love Jones-Parry whose estate in Wales was called Madryn after the Welsh name for St Materiana. Conditions were difficult and the settlers had to dig irrigation ditches for their first crops.

The settlement grew as a result of the building of the  Central Chubut Railway by Welsh, Spanish, and Italian immigrants. This line, opened in 1889, linked the town to Trelew via the lower Chubut River valley.

We did get a chance to visit the building where they teach Welsh still to this day, striving to keep the Welsh language and culture in this enclave. Whilst initially disappointed with this stop, since returning home we know of someone who actually has been out there and full of praise of the history and as a retired teacher does teach Welsh here.

We set sail again as the sun was setting, another two days at sea to our final destination of Buenos Aires.

Easter Sunday at Sea

As we make our way up to Puerto Madryn it’s Easter Sunday. We have in our room chocolate half eggs, filled with sweet treats, blown eggshell painting in the science area and we had booked the Lindstrom restaurant for dinner.

What an absolute treat, this was fine dining, and with the most amazing sunset too.

March 2024 really has been fantastic and sharing this experience with Viv and Don has made it very special.

Weather not permitting and New Island

Overnight with the weather being less kind, the captain and crew made their way to Carcass Island . The wind and swell made it too hard even for the tenders to get to land, so we moved on to try to land at West Point, again no joy, so we cruised around and were offered many on board activities: painting, wildlife walking, outdoor gym, food tasting, and knitting and natter.

That evening you could really feel the movement of the ship. Sleeping was difficult and fitful.

Despite the forecast the sun came out. A spectacular last landing at New Island saw us walk up the gentle slope through the tussock grass to see an amazing bird colony, hosting black browed albatross, rock hopper penguins, and Imperial
Cormorants. A lucky few were able to spot one of the three resident Macaroni Penguins in the colony.

There is a museum on the island, hosted by a lovely couple, with some delicate items to buy.

The zodiac back to the ship was tinged with sadness as this would be our last landing like this. Our boots would have to be cleaned and returned.

That’s another fine mess you got me into Stanley.

Famous words from Hardy, (Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy) as we arrive at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands.

It was very windy and we travelled in the ship’s lifeboats to land. We saw a few dolphins as we approached. Once we arrived we got on a coach to take in a few sights as others went to Volunteer Point, and some went for a nature walk.

Annie, our guide was an islander and gave so much information about living here. Shipwrecks, schooling, the hospital, the governor’s house, peat, food, sheep and obviously there were references to the conflict of 1982 when Argentine forces invaded the Islands.

The sights of the Falklands

One of the places we stopped at was Dave’s garden. When whalebones are found, he collects them and they are displayed in his garden. It looks quite eerie seeing these but also interesting.

Situated on the Stanley by-pass road, en route to Surf Bay, east of the town, the Totem Pole is a quirky structure signposting distances to various places in the world. Originally created by military personnel, signs have been added by many visitors. Most are villages, towns and cities in the UK at roughly 8,000 miles away but locations in the American continent can also be found, along with Europe and even Russia. To my surprise Arbroath was featured, probably because there were marines from 45 Commando based near to the town.

I was so proud to stand in front of the totem wearing my Arbroath FC hat.

Our coach journey terminated at the Stanley museum which is full of history of the island over the centuries. There is also a poignant picture wall of those that lost their lives in the conflict.

Inside of the reclus hut, dismantled and rehoused

In the afternoon we were on the highlights of Stanley walking tour, which covered some of what we had seen earlier, but not all. Our guide was an ex marine who fought in the conflict, met someone, married and stayed. Although his viewpoint was based on his experiences and his life as a marine, it was uncomfortable and awkward as we were with an Argentinian within the group.

The memorial also had a nod to 45 Commando from Arbroath, and we enjoyed the historical, natural history and maritime references.

Posting postcards home, but who’s in the phone box

To the Falklands

Two days at sea after our amazing five days in Antarctica. Travelling across the Scotia Sea, with conditions due to change, for this time of year, still relatively easy. I did wear my sea sickness bands though.

The crew are adept at providing activities and lectures which helps pass the time.

With specialists on board we have had the opportunity to learn so much about the history of polar expeditions, photography, geology, wildlife watching, penguin poop, baleen whales, climate change and how it affects Antarctica, and how we can make small changes in how we live. There were opportunities to become more involved with various agencies e.g NASA and be a Hurtigruten ambassador to name a few. We also went along to watercolour painting, and we made clay penguins to paint at a later date.

We used the hot tub facilities which was quite a challenge to get in and out of with the extreme cold.🥶

There’s also a ‘running’ track on the top deck, and weather permitting we would walk 11 circuits which equated to a mile. On occasion it was very bracing, difficult to walk into the wind, but it blew the cobwebs away and it was a chance to spend a little time together in very, fresh air.

The women from the University of Santa Cruz, California did a wonderful presentation on whales, drones and tags. They travel with the company to do research into whales and impacts on behaviours. They explained about how they photograph the whales, how they have to be licensed to use the drones, and how they tag whales to provide more information over a period of time. The video presentation that was shown at the end, was so beautiful with mother and calf playfully swimming around the zodiac. They have the physical strength to overturn the zodiac but they gently circumnavigate, sometimes pop their heads above water that they can see their eyes. I must admit that I cried as I watched it, once again so happy to have visited this wondrous place on earth.

Last day in Antarctica

As we approached Deception Island, a caldera from an active volcano, we were struck by the ruggedness of the landscape as well as seeing the steam rise from the water lapping the shore. Deception island last erupted in the 1970’s.

We entered and our destination today was Whalers Bay, with the remains of buildings from the past when this had been a whaling station. The Norwegian buildings were built better than the British ones, and for many years these were used for science and research too.

Whaling was a huge industry as the meat and blubber used, I can only imagine what it must have smelt like with the tanks full of blubber to be melted. 1969 saw a change with many countries no longer carrying out the barbaric killing as some species were facing extinction. In 1986 the international whaling commission was established and they allow some countries to continue with smaller catches and under close supervision still. There are still debates and changes with the Southern Ocean declared a whale sanctuary in 1994.

It was interesting to see the fur seals, mostly young adult males play fighting, with a few penguins scattered around. You felt a real sense of history standing on the black beach.

It was here in this austere landscape that a few brave passengers decided to do a polar plunge.

This involved stripping down to a swimming costume on the beach and ‘running’ into the water. The water is very, very cold, despite the steam rising! My sister in law was the first one in, she sensibly kept a hat and t shirt on. Kevin was the second one in, and you could physically see the temperature affecting his movement once in the water. You are not allowed to stay in longer than 1 minute.

Once we returned to the ship, a warm shower was the order of the day, dinner and a beautiful moonlight serenade as we began our journey to the Falklands.

Five days in Antarctica, an experience we will never forget. A privilege to have set foot on this continent, where we have learned so much. Thankyou to Viv, Don and Kevin for encouraging me to be a part of this journey.

Danco Island and the Errara Channel

This morning we prepped for a landing, Kevin was going kayaking as the conditions were better.

We landed, and I took the low route to enjoy walking amongst the penguins. Some were ‘teenagers’ almost finished their moulting and flapping around sulking. Others were getting ready for their first dip.

Spot the teenager

We returned to the ship and Kevin had returned from his kayaking, which he enjoyed immensely with his partner Jenny.

A mocktail before dinner as we sailed off towards Deception Island.

Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay

The second continental landing and to visit a gentoo colony was the morning’s mission. I watched from the explorer lounge with a mocktail, as the zodiacs made their way through the brash ice to land.

Kevin was due to go out kayaking, but as weather was providing us with the whole gamut of options it was cancelled.

I watched from afar, and with the pain easier I felt relatively comfortable to go zodiac cruising in Paradise Bay after lunch, as I wouldn’t be required to have to swing my legs to get out and into the zodiac.

What a treat it was with a content leopard seal on an ice flow, birds scuttling overhead and humpback whales exhaling. We’d caught them on video earlier. The sound is wondrous: how such large mammals can so elegantly glide through the water is a thing to behold.

We saw penguins at the Chilean station Gonzalez Videla, jumping out of the water, flapping to dry themselves off.

In awe of nature and the landscape we returned to the ship. Some brave passengers were preparing for a night of camping at Leith Cove ( it’s a no from me), and we could make out their tents with a faint red glow emanating from the land.

Portal point, a tumble and an embarrassing moment

A great start to the day with a whale nearby, and a show of it’s fluke.

The morning announcement of activities and landings after breakfast for our first continental landing at Portal point. was eagerly listened to and we were prepped to go.

We were advised it was slippy with fresh snow on the icy paths. The staff are so good at securing paths as safely as they can.

We scattered across the snowy horizon with the eerie stillness. The red jacketed humans make quite the contrast to the white, blues and black. We heard a calving from a distance, and I left earlier than the others who wanted to go to a higher vantage point.

Unfortunately I slipped returning to the landing site, which hurt my coccyx as well as my pride.

I availed myself of the medical facilities and had a painkilling injection administered, a cool pack to reduce swelling and a 24 hour curfew in planned activities. It was embarrassing to have a very good looking doctor assess my injury and my bottom!

I missed out on the first zodiac cruise and missed out on seeing seals, whales and penguins up close and personal: disappointing but I didn’t want to miss out on the longer term.