Christmas Day

December 25th – Christmas Day 2012.  I expect our day has been very different from yours…but in some ways similar.  We started with card and present opening – 2 cards each (one from the cat of course) and just one present.  A good part of Christmas Day in the UK seems to consist of sitting wearily looking at the TV and falling asleep – well, we’ve done that as well; but looking at the ocean instead of Strictly or HMQ.

We are now heading seriously south and the sea is like a millpond – we are very lucky as both of us are not feeling too good today.  Julia has developed a cold and somehow I have been suffering from hangover type symptoms – despite the fact that we only had two glasses of red wine with our Christmas meal last night (honest!).  It was our first alcohol of the trip so perhaps I am just out of the habit?

It is now 17.30 and at last I am perking up.  Haven’t eaten much all day but will be ready for my roast beef at 20.00.

Julia has been to a couple of lectures while I have read and slumbered.  We are both now going to a film about Ernest Shackleton.  The film has shown us a story that we now know well – but it continues to amaze.

We have just had a Tannoy announcement that a huge iceberg is coming up so it’s a quick scramble to put some warmer clothes on to go out and get a good look and hopefully some good shots. Here is the evidence: (though it is difficult for you to judge scale)

Our course has been diverted away from  South Orkney because reports are telling the Captain that it is surrounded by impenetrable pack ice.  So we will be forging ahead to the South Shetlands and the Antarctic Peninsula – it means another day at sea; which will be fine if the weather stays like this.