Return across Drake Passage
Yesterday afternoon we were told that we would not be
having a calm crossing back to South America, and it could be worse than our
earlier crossing. Last night during our dinner the cabin crew had started
putting sea sick bags along hallways and removing items likely to fall off
shelves in our rooms onto the bed and floor.
Following our departure from Half Moon Island yesterday,
we cruised further north-east along the protected southern edge of the South
Shetland Islands to the English Channel. Once in the English Channel and
heading north-west, the ship encountered a 2m swell which as the evening
progressed got worse, so after dinner at around 9.30pm we went to our room and
laid down on our bed, fully clothed as we were not feeling the best. We later
got changed and went to bed. Sometime during the night the swell abated some and
by breakfast we only had a 1m rolling swell.
During the trip back we had lectures by some of the
naturalists: on lichen growing in the big freeze; volcanic and rock formation;
whales; seals; and so on.
The bad weather has returned as pay-back for the
beautiful day yesterday. This time it is worse than coming over, with winds up
to 10 Beaufort (55-65 knots), and the seas are heavy with a high swell. This
time the outside decks are out of bounds, and the lounge and restaurant on deck
6 are both closed, as are the lifts. Most of us now have sea legs so most are
not seasick again. Lesley is on Kwells, and has also taken one of the seasick
pills the doctor gave her just to keep the tummy settled. The Captain has said
it will ease overnight, so that is good news! We are getting very tired of
constantly having to brace ourselves to keep upright, even when sitting down!
And the constant rolling of the ship is getting very wearing!
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