We get ready for kayaking again - we were lucky to get chosen for a second time, maybe asking Jake out for dinner earlier on the trip was a good idea! Bill is in the back this time and I am zipping. This is all of us at the end.
There was a bit of a hiccup at the start - Bill's legs too long (or pedals too short, Ed.) Pedals for steering are the back person. Brooke fixing that.
All fixed and I hopped in the front. Kayaking was glorious. I loved the Antarctic shags all around. I could not get a shot of them flying and they were checking us out. This from the other day. A repeat because I love them so much.
We saw a fur seal in the water. (It must have been underwater throughout this video, Ed.)
We didn't see this and could have. (Insert any video you like here, Ed.)
The others from the ship are walking on Half Moon Bay Island.
Jake told us when penguins start arriving they look for the best real estate. The top of this cliff is prime because the rocks protect them when it snows. The downside is it means they have to climb a long way to feed their chicks, but also it means their chicks can be last to leave if the snow does arrive.
I liked the way Jake was hugging the coastline. I said to Bill we should follow him. We were just getting close to him when a freak wave arrived. Jake is skilful and it was a good adrenalin rush for him. Marnie and her kayaking partner had to muster all their technique to avoid falling out. Jake talked us through being head on and to keep paddling. We were not as close to capsizing as Marnie but close enough for my liking - an adrenalin rush just the same.
We get from kayak to zodiac like last time. This is Marnie manoeuvring.
Brooke in action assisting us all.
On the way back to the boat, Jake says there are not as many people on land as usual to see the chinstrap penguin colony and we've got time to do the landing as well if we want to - yay! Bill stays on the ship and reads. I have half an hour to return, get kayaking gear off, and put landing gear on. I am keen.
There is snow in the area. Last week there wasn’t, we are told. I get a closer look at the chinstrap penguins. It is the most inhospitable site we have landed on so far I think. It is very cold.
Kirsty (from dinner last night) was on shore.
Here are the chinstrap penguins. They were quiet I thought. Apparently they can be.
Mick and Linda.
Rusty rocks.
Waiting to moult so he/she can go swimming and feeding.
Petrel.
Back to the chinstraps.
A sheathbill.
Fur seals.
In the afternoon we see a humpback whale in Yankee Harbour. A week ago there was no sea ice, now there is brash sea ice as we land in the zodiacs. The weather is glorious again.
Lots of gentoos went past this flagstick lying on the ground. This one decided to check it out. I found this quite interesting. A guide nearby said they were curious. When we sat and watched it play with it, I wondered whether it was about "This is not part of my home, you should not be here."
There is always something to watch in the penguin colonies. Here the chase is on - most probably mother and chick, chick wants more food, chicks are about to leave, mother wants the chick to fend for itself, and get hungry to leave.
Cleaning themselves and having a bit of fun.
Skua on the prowl.
More gentoo bathing. It was very sunny and hot this afternoon - 10 degrees - and cooling down is one of the things going on here.
The lovely penguin waddle.
Fur seal on the move, and Mum feeding her chick.
The evening is drinks and then dinner with the Aussies. These girls are fun sorts.
Then when we get back to our room, we have an envelope under the door with an invitation to dine with the Captain and his wife tomorrow night, Level 6 in the Restaurant. I am looking forward to that! I missed getting a photo of the invitation, sorry.
Captain Eric also announces that we are going to increase the ship's speed and get back nearly a day earlier than planned. The reason is the weather forecast is very rough for the Drake Passage in two day's time, so our mission is to get ahead of it as best we can.