11 Feb 2014

17 Jan Voyage: Campbell in Bloom

We enjoyed relatively pleasant sailing conditions as we headed north with the worst sickness aboard being a touch of cabin fever after four days at sea. Campbell Island was first sighted at approximately 1800hrs last night and we entered the calm waters of Perseverance Harbour which gave all a good nights sleep, though some mentioned they may need a light rocking to enable them to get to sleep upon their return home!

The ‘short walkers’ headed for megaherbs and Southern Royal Albatross, and the ‘long walkers’ set off for a day excursion to North West Bay.  The Pleurophyllm speciosum (shown above) was in fine bloom and further up the hill the albatross proudly shared peeks of their new chicks snuggled safely in their nests. All expeditioners are finding the weather realtively balmy after the cold of the south and are looking forward to more sleep in calm waters. Tonight there will be an onboard auction to support the Last Ocean campaign, which is raising funds to promote the need for a Ross Sea Marine Reserve.