On Wednesday I paid off the RRS Sir David Attenborough to go on leave but was rather surprised when presented with the below by Sir David Attenborough. I now have a place name in Antarctica, the Gloistein Skerries. Somewhat shocked and very humbled
Humpback
#whales
at the stern of the RRS Sir David Attenborough last night, video by the night watchman Ted, whilst carrying out final call at Rothera Research Station, Adelaide Island
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#wildlife
#nature
Thirty two years ago I celebrated my first New Year in Antarctica, on the RRS Bransfield at Halley, with further celebrations on the RRS Ernest Shackleton and RRS James Clark Ross. Tonight is likely to be my last New Year in Antarctica. Happy New Year to you all
The Bridge on the Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough is huge. Two views of the main driving consoles, one from the Stbd side where there is an internal compass binnicle (sadly no external Bridge Wings)
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The RRS Sir David Attenborough heading north for the Falkland Islands with the OOW,Rob, concentrating hard whilst navigating through ice in the dark. Pic Richard Turner
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The RRS Sir David Attenborough all fast alongside at King Edward Point today, as seen from Gull Lake. The base behind appears to be dwarfed by the ship. Base staff today were busy unpacking all the stores we delivered, making them very happy, I am sure 🤗
The RRS Sir David Attenborough all fast alongside at Rothera on Christmas Day. Later today we have carols from the Heli-deck with the base joining us and then Christmas dinner at 15:00
The RRS Sir David Attenborough as seen from the graveyard at Grytviken, where Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried. An early morning walk for me. The whole area is littered with seals, large and small, many of whom want to have a fight as you pass.
Home sweet home! Back on board the Sir David Attenborough for an end of season roundup, calling at Bird Island, King Edward Point and Rothera (twice) before heading north to 🇬🇧
Another overnight view from Ted, this time large numbers of, I think, fur seals following some humpback whales. We are due to depart Rothera at about 12:00UTC for the Falkland Islands and then the UK
The RRS Sir David Attenborough has arrived off Rothera Station, Adelaide Island,
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, this morning. What a cracking view to awake to!
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In my opinion cabin views don’t get much better than this. Looking across to a snow covered Grytviken, South Georgia. Shrouded in cloud when I awoke and not bathed in sunshine
I have just started my final journey to Antarctica. It will take almost 40 hours to reach Punta Arenas,Chile, where I join the RRS Sir David Attenborough on Saturday for what should prove an exciting last trip😋
A first for me, Shag Rocks. I have been past many times but not close enough to get a good view of them. They are to the west of South Georgia and I am told a good spot to see blue whales, although that sadly was not the case today. Fresh and slightly lumpy seas.
For those that have enjoyed my recent pics, this is the reality of Antarctica. Dull, overcast, 40kts of wind and I could not be bothered to go outside and have used the webcam! Thankfully we are here long enough to see both sides of the weather in this the part of the world
I am now back on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough and have unpacked my suitcase. Sunday will see the arrival of scientists for the PICCOLO and BIOPOLE science cruises and mobilisation will start as soon as they are on board.
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The from my cabin window on Tuesday evening. A very enjoyable couple of hours spent watching as the ship proceeded north up the Antarctic Peninsula. More pics to follow tomorrow
Having arrived in the Falklands this morning, this evening I have packed my suitcase and am ready for the long flight north back to the UK and some leave. A brief stop in Ascension Island to stretch my legs on the way. Back on board the ship mid-January
I am now off the ship and enjoying wonderful weather in the city of Stanley, Falkland Islands. Good internet and three days to explore and meet with friends and colleagues. Stanley Cathedral.
As the Falklands slowly slip behind the RRS Sir David Attenborough, the ship heads south for Antarctica. About 1,000 nautical miles to run to Rothera on Adelaide Island. Calm now but will that last?
A short video from a walk this afternoon at King Edward Point, South Georgia. Whilst a bit breezy the sun was out and the sky was blue....helping make this one of the most beautiful places on the planet
What a difference a day makes! Overnight, with good weather, the upper section of the hull of the RRS James Clark Ross has had the top coat of paint applied. The old lady is looking fresh once again
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Sunrise in the Falkland Islands as the RRS Sir David Attenborough prepares to sail north. A passage of about 7000 nautical miles back to Harwich in the UK
This is the flag of The Governor of the Falkland Islands and is only flown when they are on board. It will be flying this morning as we welcome the Governor on board
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It is amazing what one can make with some old pallets, a bit of plastic sheeting and a couple of tons of seawater (28C). Add in some artistic talent and you have the RRS Sir David Attenborough swimming pool. Unsure about the lifeguard qualifications!
It is still dark at 08:00 as the Sir David Attenborough heads north, from Antarctica, to the Falkland Islands. It is also snowing and the sea is lumpy, making showering and dressing entertaining
Breaking news! The RRS Sir David Attenborough has found some pack to work with. Not the hardest it will have to deal with. Pic Richard Turner
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Working on ship means being on call 24/7. Just got to bed and call from Bridge, issue with an HF radio. Went up to investigate and saw tail end of tonight’s sunset. Radio sorted, view amazing. Pic 3rd Officer Jamie Macleod
With sea ice to the horizon it is not surprising to see an emperor penguin. More stunning pictures by Richard Turner, Purser on the RRS Sir David Attenborough
A few more pics from our arrival at Deception Island today. Sun now out and a beautiful day. This morning there where lots of whale blows sighted. Later today we will continue the passage south to Rothera.
The barque Europa arrived this morning as one of the last tourist ships to visit South Georgia this season. She was built in 1911. Today it is breezy but, at the moment, bright and sunny
The RRS Sir David Attenborough is now FAOP - Full Away on Passage. On departure from the Falklands we stopped briefly to test our lifeboats and now we are heading for the UK. Following a beautiful sunrise we are enjoying a sunny afternoon
Having had a drama free crossing of the Drakes Passage the Sir David Attenborough is now in the lee of the Antarctic Peninsula and whilst out on deck this evening a humpback whale popped up. It was close enough to hear it exhale, a wonderful sound
With the RRS Sir David Attenborough all fast alongside at Harwich, operations have started with the discharge of Antarctic cargo. This will take several days. Harwich is a great port as shops are only a short walk away
Final pic of the Sir David Attenborough alongside at King Edward Point, taken just prior to departure. Bright and sunny but 25kts of wind. The passage west may well be lumpy and bumpy, check the webcam later (via )
Night is drawing in at Rothera Station,
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, and the runway lights are being tested. No aircraft here now, allowing for maintenance to be carried out on the runway
Icebergs are truly stunning wonders of the world. Like a snowflake no two are identical, although many will have perhaps looked similar when born from a glacier. I never tire from admiring their beauty
I am struggling today.....to do any work with three humpbacks no more than 30m from the side of the ship, leisurely blowing. For me hearing them is a wonderful experience and well worth five minutes away from work (and a few hundred pics!)
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#whales
I am not a huge fan of a hole through the middle of a ship, however we had the hatches of the moonpool open today and the colour of the water was beautiful. The RRS Sir David Attenborough will use this for deploying scientific instruments
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About 150NM from Cape Horn, top end of the Drake Passage and the weather is proving rather nice. The previous two days had been lumpy and bumpy. ETA Falklands Thursday morning.
Much excitement on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough, especially for those going south for the first time. Our first
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, approx position 58.3S 060.6W. I am confident we will see much bigger bergs in the weeks ahead
A dull and overcast day as we prepare to sail for Antarctica at 16:00UTC. With 30+ knots of wind I suspect that the Drakes Passage will not be mirror smooth. Batten down the hatches!
The RRS Sir David Attenborough all fast alongside at Rothera this evening. I went ashore for a short walk of about an hour and nearly 300 photos later I am back! Whilst breezy out it is a beautiful night down here. More pics to follow
The view aft from the Bridge of the RRS Sir David Attenborough this afternoon. The ship is punching into the sea, a strange motion that is felt throughout the ship. Outside my cabin I can here bulkheads creaking, thankfully noting in my cabin so should sleep well tonight
This is the worst sea in the world, the notorious Drakes Passage, this morning. A bit of a swell and some motion but just now it is very well behaved and proving to be a calm passage south
It may not look it but the weather has improved a little as we continue towards the Falkland Islands. Temperature now just on freezing and lots of snow
The Sir David Attenborough has been shrouded in thick
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all day and we could barely see the bow. Then, whilst I was working in the Crows Nest, the view suddenly changed and was rather beautiful.
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being wonderful and varied in appearance
Inside the church at Grytviken. I did nip upstairs and ring both bells. It was Norwegian built and sent down as flatpack. Built in 1913. There have been christenings, weddings and funerals held here over the years and still used from time to time these days
The Sir David Attenborough is now at 66S, just north of the Antarctic Circle, off Cape Framness. This, I was surprised to see, is actually green where there is no snow cover. Lots of science taking place.
The view from the Bridge of the Sir David Attenborough as we head for Seymour Island. Lots of ice and wildlife too. Check the webcam (link via ) for latest views
This was the view from my cabin yesterday evening after departing Rothera. On the Bridge the Captain was having to make the difficult decision of whether to take the scenic route or the other scenic route! Stunning views throughout the evening
On of the benefits of working on BAS ships is that there are often talks by the scientists. Tonight it was by Ash all about Bird Island. Twice interrupted, by dolphins leaping alongside and then by HMS Forth joining us. Love the panoramic windows on board
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The RRS Sir David Attenborough enjoying a bit of weather! Wind has been up to 77kts but but ship handling well. This did not disrupt dinner
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The Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough arrriving at Punta Arenas today (as seen from my hotel room). Crew change on Saturday morning and then an exciting science cruise in Antarctica
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With the Captain’s command of ‘let go forward, let go aft’ the RRS Sir David Attenborough departed from Harwich and is bound for Portsmouth, ETA pilot station 08:00 Wednesday. Then depart Thursday morning for the Falkland Islands
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It is a dingle day here in the Weddell Sea. Some grease ice forming and a little fog in the distance. Low sun gives a bit of a shadow of the Sir David Attenborough. Antarctica at it's best
On 05/01/23 I took this photo on departure from Signy Island and I think that the rocks marked with the arrow are the Gloistein Skerries, with Coronation Island in the background
I walked onto the Bridge of the Sir David Attenborough at about 06:20 this morning and the first thing I saw on looking out the window was a couple of whales (one seen in the pic below). A great start to the day
There are often interesting features to see in
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, and this peak within a glacier is one. When objects, whether buildings or rock outcrops are placed where there is snow, the winds can have a major effect on them, in this case scouring
With the air temp at -3C and a 35kt wind, plus snow, there are some interesting ice formations to be seen. This is not a nice day in
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but science carries on. Lots of sea ice in the vicinity too which makes navigation interesting
Something old and something new. The RRS Sir David Attenborough seen through the remains of Grytviken whaling station. When in operation some 400 men worked here between October and March each year, processing whales. All that is left is metal and bones
Today is our last ‘fish and chips Friday’ as we will all be heading home next week following a crew change. All cargo has now been discharged and stores and spares arrived. A bit like Christmas with lots of boxes of spare parts to be opened and stowed away
The RRS Sir David Attenborough meeting with the
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RV Nuyina on Sunday evening. It is unlikely that our paths will ever cross again. Great looking ship, thanks for taking the time to see us and more to come from
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in the next few days