They're Home!

Sitrep 27th January 2008

Weather summary:

7 Okta cloud cover, wind around 20 knots from the North West. Still a small swell rolling the ship.

Today's activities:

This morning I acquired the booking time for the pilot boat, at 16:00 hrs the small vessel will meet us at the mouth of the Derwent to guide us down to Hobart wharf. The captain called the Mawson's Hut team up to the bridge this morning to thank us for all that we have contributed to the voyage, of course we reciprocated the sentiment, as we have been most happy with the fine hospitality.

We have been madly swapping pictures amongst the team before the Hobart arrival.

The coast of Tasmania is in full view now, and we are all waiting for the smell of a vegetated land to invade our nostrils.

After lunch we will head to the lower decks into the cargo hold, where we will access all of our other personal belongings so every has there gear with them tonight.

This will be the final sitrep of the journey, a trip that I have thoroughly enjoyed and I am sure I can say the same for the rest of the team. An amazing five weeks on the ice that delivered so much. Elation, isolation, discovery, enormous productivity, camaraderie, beauty and wonder, are just a few words that meagrely describe our experience since departing Hobart on December 5th. It has been my privilege to take on the role of field leader, and a pleasure to spend 7 ½ weeks away with such a group of professionals.

Soon we will be soaking up our last few kilometres on board L'Astrolabe, saturating our eyes with the colour of green, and seeing waiting friends and family. As I type dolphins have come to escort us towards the Derwent.

To Rob and Dave, thankyou for your support and correspondence from the other real world.

To the team, it was a blast; we must do it again sometime!

Warm wishes from the MHF team

Peter McCabe Field Leader Mawson's Huts Foundation Expedition 07/08

sitrep 26/01/08

Sitrep 26 January 2008

Weather summary:

Sunshine most of the day, cloudy later this evening, not as many stars as last night's spectacular sky. The swell has gradually decreased and is now a fairly smooth ride.

Today activities:

Our second last day on the ship was thankfully smoother, preparations are underway for our arrival and emails were zoomed back and forth fine tunning the plans. It was a relatively quiet Australia Day for the MHF team, although the chef did serve up pork chops for lunch, the closest we would get to an Aussy bbq.

Peter Morse lended his expertise in finalising the video clips for media publication.

Some short beaked common dolphins and long fin pilot whales were seen swimming off to the starboard side of the ship this afternoon.

With the seas calming L'Astrolabe is becoming more social as more of our fellow sailors are up and about. Nights are now dark, something that has been alien for us the past six weeks. Last nights stars were stunning, the temperature is also starting to rise noticeably outside. Home is drawing near!

Tomorrow I am guessing most will be up early, packing bags and looking for the first glimpses of Tasmania. As of 11pm tonight we were at 46deg 25mins South.

Warm wishes from the MHF team

Peter McCabe Field Leader

sitrep 25/01/08

Sitrep 25th January 2008

Weather summary:

Swell has persisted, still coming North East with the occasional westerly lump coming through. Plenty of spray in the air as the bow smashes its way through the waves. Air temp today was about 8 degrees.

Today's activities:

Although the swell has slowed us slightly, calculations still have us reaching Hobart at 19:00 on Sunday at the latest. Over night we will have crossed the fifty degree South mark. Brett and I started editing some video of our trip to give to the media upon our arrival on Sunday. We have all been swapping camera images with each other so we will have tons of picture to savour in years to come. Probably one of our roughest nights at sea coming up, all on board are keen to hit the sheltered waters.

Warm wishes from the MHF team.

Peter McCabe Field Leader

sitrep 24/01/08

Sitrep 24th January 2008

Weather summary: Seas around 2 meters, swell from the North West. Low cloud cover, about 20 - 25 knots of wind.

Today's activities:

We are now hovering around the southern convergence where the cold Antarctic waters meet the warmer waters from the north. This region is known for its abundant bird life. Brett has been scanning the horizon, but with the low cloud and sea mist around photographic opportunities have been hard to come by. We crossed the 56 degree south mark at 21:00 this evening. This morning the captain indicated that we should be in port at Hobart late on Sunday evening. The swell it predicted to swing to the west tomorrow which could make for an uncomfortable day at sea, as it will accentuate the rolling motion of the ship. We will soon see if we really do have our sea legs!

Warm wishes from the MHF team.

Peter McCabe Field Leader

sitrep 23/01/08

Sitrep 23rd January 2008

Weather summary:

Steady 1 ½ meter swell from the north west, cloudy and misty

Today's activities:

After the excitement of our departure and the passing of a huge iceberg last night that was 25 miles long, most had a sleepy morning today. Brett was ever watchful for some sea birds to photograph but it has been slim pickings at this stage. After discussions with the captain and first mate the consensus seems to be that we will arrive in Hobart on the evening of the 27th or the morning of the 28th. We are well out of the ice now and should cross the 60 degree south mark overnight. The most entertaining place to hangout in these conditions is on the bridge, where you can view the swell crashing into the bow and spraying up over the cabin glass. It also provides a dry place to stand and get a good fix on the horizon, although most of us are regaining our sea legs now.

Warm wishes from the MHF team

Peter McCabe Field Leader

sitrep 22/01/08

Sitrep 22nd January 2008

Weather summary:

20 knot southerly at DDU, clear skies and sunshine.

Today's activities

Bright and early this morning the last of the personal luggage was flown onto L'Astrolabe, along with all the returning expeditioners from Dumont D'Urville. We were ready to depart by 10.30 but with the wind picking up slightly, and a tight harbour to turn the ship in, the captain opted to wait until the wind dropped off. It eased slightly by 15:00, so very carefully L'Astrolabe was eased of the wharf, pirouetted and headed for home. Flares were shot into the sky as the remaining expeditioners waved us bon voyage. With the late departure it would seem unlikely that we will make Hobart by the 27th. I will see the captain tomorrow for a situation update.

Warm wishes from the MHF team

Peter McCabe Field Leader Mawson's Huts Foundation

A Leucistic Adelie Penguin at DDU

Having become aware of the phenomenon of "leucistic" penguins at Cape Denison - thanks to the compendious knowledge of our wildlife observer extraordinaire, Brett Jarrett - I was delighted to come across another one at Dumont D'Urville Station. This shot clearly demonstrates the difference in pigmentation levels with a normal Adelie penguin. Even though this was just a fleeting encounter as "Leucille" jumped out of the water, I was glad to be able to shoot some video of the animal - not high resolution or stereo unfortunately, but still giving a clear impression. Shortly thereafter s/he was lost in the crowd...

- Peter Morse