Author Archives: janeoconnor2000

Some photographs below which might give a wee bit more of the feeling of how big those icebergs and seals were. This is a story that has nothing to do with the pictures but I like it.    We were looking at the Chilean base and then the Argentinian and I asked Henck if theyContinue reading “A bit more”

Priscilla who is a Radio Presenter and known throughout Malaysia, provided the background music to add ambiance when we sailed through the ice and at night when we were relaxing after all the exertions and then again at night when anyone was partying.  She had no sailing experience but ever so quietly and graciously gotContinue reading “The Characters and some more pics”

(uncertain of cordinates as Log book is packed away and in the hold of the plane.   Just accept that we are further north but still pretty damn South! and our log of the trip is at least 1,300 knots.) We left the Horn to beautiful scenes of land, Albatross, Skua and the occasional pod ofContinue reading “Some Pics”

55 deg 57′ 09″ S 67deg 13 ‘ 02″ W log 1503 We left Melchior Island in a beautiful sunrise.  Then the three and a half day trip across the dreaded Drake passage to Cape Horn.  It started with ice watch at 3 am. and every five hours we were on for two hours. DodgingContinue reading “Rounding Cape Horn.”

60 deg 52′ 72″ S 66 deg 42 ‘ 65″ W Log 1175 knots When I first mentioned to Pat that it was my dream to go to the Antarctic he asked about the possibility of being locked into ice.  I dismissed that concern saying that that was poor planning.  (It should be noted thatContinue reading “Cape Horn next….”

64 deg 46′ 71″S 63 deg 23 ‘ 53″ W Log 871 knots It seems that it is still early Spring here rather than the expected hot Summmer.  There has been some tough sailing and blocked in anchorages.  A number of the cruise ships were unable to go as far south as they intended. WeContinue reading “From benign to lethal!”

64 ° 54′ 19″S 62 ° 51 ‘ 88″ W Log 791knots You know when you are watching a film and everything is happy and warm and you know that there is going to be catastrophe just around the corner? We were invited to the Chilean base.  64 ° 49S  62° 51 W.  It wasContinue reading “Engine trouble!”

64°50’53.00″S 62°31’69.00″W    Cuverville Island, Antarctica This is certainly not a journey for the faint hearted and I think we have all had our moments of weakness.  Mine was climbing up the summit of Cuverville. The expedition leader F.M.G  ( this name is abbreviated from the M G is mountain goat so you can guessContinue reading “A Polar swim on Cuverville Island”

Todays coordinates  64 degrees  ( i cant find the wee o ) 41′ 26″ S 62 degrees 38′ 04″ We had what Henk  called a ‘Shackelton journey’ to the next anchor 18 hours of sleet, rough seas and high winds up to 40 knots.  We were all on ice watch for two hours  at aContinue reading “40 knot winds, sleet and rough seas!”

We boarded on Monday and immediately there was a storm warning .No ships allowed out of port! At 4 am Henk started the engine and motored out to Beagle Channel. To the sailors reading this I’m sure you know that delicious moment when the sails are raised and set and fenders taken in and birdsContinue reading “Livingstone Island and beyond!”