On the way to South Georgia

1st Jan 2012. As we now have 2 days of sailing to reach South Georgia, 800 miles, today is devoted to recovering from new years eve and lectures. We are amazed at the quality of the speakers on this trip. We have speakers with PhDs, those that have run a Zoo for 30 years, others that have run museums, Ray who ran the Mawson station for two year and has been to the Antarctic 18 times and the Arctic several times. It was Ray that we heard speak at the RACV club in Melbourne that convinced us to do this trip. He is very interesting and not only was he awarded the Polar Medal by the Queen but he has a mountain in the Antarctic named in his honour. Talk about a small world, he worked for Sidchrome and installed one of the machines now in our factory and his Granddaughter graduated a few weeks ago from St Finbars, our church and school. Most of the speakers/guides are extreemly well educated, highly intelligent and very informative and full of passion and fun.

Today's first lecture was the story of Shackleton's great exploites and in particular the amazing story of the disaster with his expedition on the ship Endurance. Along with Mawson's story this is one of the greatest exploites of Antarctic pioneers. To know that in a few days we will visit his grave and that of the recently interned Frank Wild is amazing. Then we had a talk by Steve, known more commonly as The Bird Man, on the birds below the Antarctic convergence. Of course birds includes penguins. Steve has a PhD and has to be one of the world experts on birds I gather.

The afternoon talk was titled Slippery Seals and fiesty Sea lions. Brian, another very impressive, knowledgeable and highly qualified naturalist/biologist, entertained and informed us on these creatures.

We rounded out the day with a photography lesson to guide us on chances of best success in the Antarctic. There are so many experts on photography and every other subject among the passengers that I feel so inadequate. Beside the leaders, I am amazed at the talent, knowledge and intelligence of the passengers on board.

Temperature is dropping as we approach the Antarctic convergence. This is where the water and air temperatures change and is never a constant spot but varies at all times. There are two distinct eco-systems above and below this point.

We are all getting excited about South Georgia and with some whale spottings today and the constant following of the Albatross, it has been a good restful day.