05 Mar 2013

Back to Lyttelton

Well all good things must come to an end and this expedition arrives home tomorrow.
There is a slight change of plans due to some unseasonably rough weather.  We are
headed for the Port of Lyttelton rather than our planned Port of Bluff. The office staff
have been furiously changing flights and passengers' post cruise arrangements.

In over 30 years of sailing this part of the world, I have never experienced such a lengthy stretch
of continuous stormy weather.  Normally we get a lull between low pressure systems but this year
it appears the anticyclones are queuing up to vent their pent up energy onto the seas ahead of us.

We have survived well and everyday find silver linings in the clouds above us.  Other than not being
able to attend lectures due to rough seas it is southern ocean expedition business as usual. 

A good measure as to how everyone is feeling as well as the fortitude and skill of the chefs is the turn out to meals,
which have been consistently high.

One of the great bonuses of the rough seas and trying weather has been a big increase in the number of seabirds sighted,
we have had some amazing encounters today as a phenomenal number of birds circle past the ship. 
The effects of the high seas is lessened to a great extent by being out on deck and having this many birds travelling alongside us.


Looking forwards to everyone out to farewell the Albatross and our enjoy entrance into Lyttelton Harbor, New Zealand
first light tomorrow morning!