27 Jan 2015

Franklin Island Light

Everyone met in the Lecture Room at 0300hrs for a briefing on our landing on Franklin Island. The light as we went ashore was nothing short of spectacular which made for some beautiful photographs of the thousands of Adelie Penguins going about their business under blue skies and sunshine. The mirror-like state of the sea and activities of the Leopard Seals looking for breakfast all added to the excitement of the landing. Breakfast was waiting when we re-boarded the ship at 0715hrs and most retired to their cabins for more sleep as we cruised south towards Ross Island.

We remembered as we gazed at Mt Erebus and Mt Terra Nova that on this very day 174 years ago Sir James Clark Ross first sighted these monoliths. It is amazing to think back to what he and the men on his expedition had been though to get to this point. If this magnificent weather holds we could be in for another very early start tomorrow.