Early this morning, we arrive in this calm harbour. It may not be sunny, but it is just beautiful and we have an exciting day ahead.
A handful of very keen and very fit people have chosen to go on an all day walk on Campbell Island.
The rest of us go on a long Zodiac cruise with a couple of landings, all the while observing some fauna and flora along the way.
The cormorants were just about the only birds I could get a half decent shot of.
The first landing was on this pebbly beach. Just above the beach was the site of a former farmhouse with just the old stove left.
I never even went up there to see it because I was so fascinated with the flora and the rocks.
Apparently the pretty blue stone above is called Shirt.
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| Hebe |
It was rather decent of these two birds to land and sit still for me to take a photo.
Moving on to the next landing spot where we literally traipse up the creek to pay the loneliest tree in the world our respects.
And here it is, a spruce tree planted by settlers long ago. Because it needs a mate to reproduce, it remains the only one on the island. A very handsome specimen.
Some interesting seaweed.
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| Antarctic Terns |
After lunch on board ship, we venture out again. This time we land where the science camp was, to do a walk up to Col Lyall. It starts among the huts and among the sea lions who snort at us from behind every bush, it seems.
For quite a long time, I have a pipit hopping along in front of me, at times so close that I have to check my steps. But I dare not stop to take a photo (the joy of being in a group!), so here's one I picked off the internet.
About 2/3 of the way up, we come to a bit of a platform where we can leave some gear behind - mainly clothing as the walk is making us pretty hot - before continuing to the top on the newer section of board walk at our own pace.
We are seeing quite a lot of Royal Albatross sitting on nests. These are the largest members of the Albatross family with a 3.5 m wing span.
We walk through fields of gorgeous wild flowers. My what a garden!
The views at the top are to die for in every direction. Unfortunately, there is also a pretty stiff breeze blowing up there and here I am feeling rather scantily clad. Still, it's all worth it.
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| Gentian |
What a wonderful day this has been. All I need to do now is to look up all the different plants and flowers I've photographed.
At our rather late dinner, Rodney reads out the program for tomorrow, the choices being to climb Mount Honey, starting very early in the morning, or to go for a long Zodiac cruise.
When Agnès comes round to take numbers, I tell her with a straight face I'd naturally be climbing Mount Honey. 'MON DIEU' is written all over her face until I erupt in laughter - along with everyone else at the table.
The exciting day certainly makes for a very good night's sleep.
Friday, January 29
This morning, we go for our 2 1/2 hour Zodiac cruise up one side of Perseverance Harbour and back along the other. It is amazing how many different birds we see, not to mention the mammals.
Having had to discard most of the photos I took yesterday, I don't bother taking any with my little camera today. But here is a lovely picture of a Campbell Island Teal that Agnès took.
It is quite cold and by the time we get back onto the ship my feet and legs are absolutely frozen stiff, the cold having crept up from the bottom.
When I go to the loo, sit down and lean forward, I nearly jump out of my skin with fright when the warm belly touches the frozen thighs.
The group who had gone to climb Mount Honey come back a little disappointed as the mountain got shrouded in cloud just before they reached the top.
After lunch, the ship gets underway again. Rodney gives us a briefing about our next destination which is Enderby Island, the northern most one of the Auckland Island archipelago.
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