Orkney Islands

We arrived at Orcadas Station, located on Laurie Island, South Orkney Islands this morning.  At Orcadas base, the Scottish Explorer W.S. Bruce established a small research station in 1903. The station has been recording meteorological data ever since it was taken over by the Argentines in 1904. It has been permanently populated since, being one of six Argentine permanent bases in Argentina’s claim to Antarctica and the first permanently inhabited base in Antarctica.  The nearest port is the Argentine city of Ushuaia, 1,501 km away.  The base has 11 buildings and four main topics of research including continental glaciology, seismology, Sea-ice-zone glaciology and meteorological observations. The station is located under a tundra climate, very close to an ice cap climate and is influenced by the cold Antarctic Current that runs past the Weddell Sea.  

Woke at around 6 am as we were passing by several icebergs and volcanic rocks.  Unfortunately it is rather overcast and foggy but we can see the research base ahead.  Disembarkation could be delayed due high winds and the inability to get the anchor to hold!!!  

Finally found a place to board the Zodiacs and it was about a 10minute ride to shore.  The wind was fairly strong and it was cold but the gear we have is fantastic and very protective in these conditions.  We walked with a guide all around the base, dodging seals as we went.  14 people live on the base year round and they seem to be from all parts of the world - we went into the accommodation building and walked past the bedrooms and each had a flag on the door!!  We were offered tea and coffee with biscuits, everyone very friendly and pleased to see some new faces.  But to live there for a year or more..........not for me!!!  Although there was an abundance of seals we didn’t see any penguins except for a few perched on an iceberg.  

Now underway towards Elephant Island and the Arctic Peninsular.  Lunch was lovely, especially the glass of Sauvignon Blanc!  That will ensure a nana nap before the next lecture at 3 pm!