09 Mar 2016

Almost Home

It feels strange to be heading home! After being chased by strong winds we were happy to see the wind speed drop to 12kts again. It feels good not to have to push into head winds anymore as we near the end of our 5,000 mile expedition. The forecast is for calm as we arrive in port, although the day after that 45kt winds are predicted. Ironically the first thing you forget about when off the ship is the weather, yet on expedition it rules our lives.  It was a relaxing day today with a serious round of trivia in the bar being a highlight. At the moment passengers are on deck looking out at the blue sky and some Wilson’s Storm Petrels that are making passes across the back deck. Watching the tips of waves breaking with the sun behind lighting them in translucent ice-like blues is quite a special sight. Soon only the memories of this voyage will remain. We are on schedule to arrive in Lyttelton at 0630 tomorrow and will farewell the group after breakfast at 0830.