Southern Ocean Lows and High

First there was the weather; a low pressure system which delivered stormy seas for our departure from the islands. Gales and increasing seas coupled with patchy visibility and the presence of icebergs make everyone nervous or sick or both. Everyone is cold. The wind is, as usual, contrary and is trying to force us in the wrong direction. Progress is snail-like, and people despair of being able to land in the South Orkneys due to stubborn ice Then there was being back on watch again. Body clocks, having just adjusted back to normal sleeping hours were thrown into confusion once again resulting in the deckhouse being populated by silent, stupefied zombies in the night watches.

Salvation came this morning with a wind shift and some reduction in the seas, coupled with bursts of sunshine. Now we're on a more comfortable starboard tack, doing about four to five knots and the sailing is much easier, though we still have intermittent snow showers and squalls. Whales have been sighted, buoying everyone's spirits and seasickness has abated somewhat. It may not last, but it's enough to bring back optimism and humor to the deckhouse. Taking a moment to watch Snow Petrels and Albatrosses in the sunshine and feeling Europa respond lightly to my hand the wheel, there's still nowhere I'd rather be today.