This is now the 4th day of being at sea on board the James Clark Ross. We're out in the middle of Drakes Passage, a notoriously dangerous part of the sea where the Pacific joins the Atlantic in a 600-mile gap between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula. There's a big ocean swell which is proving quite challenging for some people, but so far I'm feeling rather pleased with my stomach's sea faring abilities. We've had it easy on board until today, now you've got to pay proper attention to what you leave where in case it goes flying. Last night it was Richard in his chair who slid gracefully across the floor.
We're making very slow progress because of the scientific work going on. The ship has to stop every few hours to to drop a device overboard which measures conductivity, temp, and depth, as well as a few other things. At the moment the ocean depth is 4000m, so it takes a while to get down and back up again.
I think I'm becoming institutionalised, and whats worse, I think I quite like it…….breakfast at 7.30 sharp, check e.mails, then maybe a visit to the ships gym (or ships cupboard with a few bits of equipment in it would be a more accurate description). Lunch at 12 sharp, followed by a variety from amongst the following – reading, photographing albatrosses, videoing unsuspecting people on board, talking, sorting said photos, thinking, drinking tea. Dress for dinner (oh yes, no slumming) 6.45 sharp, followed by retiring to bar, or up to the bridge to watch the birds and the sunset. The only fly in the ointment is that I foolishly agreed to give a talk about my work to everyone, other than that pretty much a perfect existence really.
