10/02/2020 – Monday
Overcast this morning, but as we progressed from Murray Harbour down the strait, we could see the sun shining on the mountains of the peninsular on the port side, with grey clouds preventing the view of the peaks – quite eerie and spectacular at the same time. This is Antarctica!! We dropped anchor at Enterprise Island and tied up beside a yacht which was already moored to a steel wreck – a whaling ship, the “Governoren”, was deliberately breached in 1916 after a fire on board, in the hope of salvaging her cargo of whale oil. The receding tide exposed a large pile of steel harpoon heads in the hold of the wreck. We learned that these menacing looking weapons were invented by the Norwegians and were designed to fit an explosive cartridge which drove the harpoon head into the whale. This method of whale hunting greatly accelerated the number of killings.
It turned out to be a glorious day. A group of four went kayaking and two others went with Calypso and Adrien to explore Pythia Island across the bay. On the snow-covered slopes of Pythia Island, the explorers went sledding on a “magic carpet”!! Daredevil Adrien catapulted down at breakneck speed, face first and on his belly!!! The more inexperienced sledders did not fare so well, with snow in their jackets and down their trousers. Mark made steak, potatoes and beans for dinner.
Post from Denise
February Trip 2020
