27 November 2023

So I am rolling back and forth lying in my cabin writing this before the day begins on the boat.

I am heading south hoping the Drakes Passage will be a Drake Lake rather than Drake Shake. My anti sea sick patch is working so far but I have yet to test it at breakfast….

What a last few days! I have not allowed myself to get excited about this adventure before but clearly I am now. Manchester airport 3am start on Friday and finally got to Ushuaia on Sunday morning. All went like clockwork really so gratefully to UKAHT for organising it so well. Meeting all sorts along the way but I think the Polish group most around my age going to Buenos Aires travelling to improve their Argentinian tango with 10 days of teaching were fun… made me wonder how Strictly went on Saturday?

Flying into Terra del Fuego and looking out at the snowy mountains I finally felt excited and so pleased to be back here after 30 years. As you would expect it is so different, still quite shabby around the edges. In the few hours I had there I think we had sun, snow, wind and rain… it is a little wild. Lots of references and memorials to the Malvinas and the UK “illegal occupation”. The city does love a hero with busts of the famous all lined up looking out to sea…. It’s not all Malvinas heros there were a few polar related notables too.

The boat is amazingly luxurious and the crew very welcoming… so lucky to be hitching a lift on this when others have paid so much for their trip of a life time.

So some will know about the bear in the photos. “Crouch End” bear was given to me when I went to Signy by my friends (some will be reading this!). I had spent many happy years in London living in Crouch End hence the reference and there are various pictures of him at Signy and hope to do the same for this trip…

Below are some photos so far….