Thankful Thursday Humour-ish

I haven't done a Thankfuls post in bally-yonks, so, as Greg reminded folks this morning, here's an overdue one!

Firstly- Thankful the world didn't end a few weeks ago, apparently it was due to! Like the Bible doesn't say that 'no one knows the day or the hour...' I say, 'Duh!' to the doomsayers and daft eejits who came up with that one.

Secondly- Thankful I'm on the mend, as the aches and pains induced by this bug were really, really agonising. If I was a permanent invalid I'd be the grouchiest one out, and yes, I could be a whole lot worse!...in all sorts of ways...

Thirdly- Thankful for my dogs.
When I'm sick, they lie outside my door and thump their tails on the floor to remind me they're there.
When I'm busy, they stick their noses into everything and pretend they are supervising.
When I'm watching a noisy TV program, they come bounding in, all hackles and snarls, to protect me from whatever is happening onscreen.
Such devotion!!!

Fourthly- Thankful to the members of our Church and community who encouraged and helped Youngest and her friend to raise the money for the Diocesan trip to South Carolina! They left this morning at 3.15am...yawn...

Fifthly- Thankful for jokes which make me snigger for days: here's one I've been dying to share!...

Four Church Elders were discussing themes for up-coming Services and had decided to run with the theme of 'Freedom'. Now they just had to define it exactly for the modern congregation.

1st Elder: 'Since Christ died for us, Freedom is being free from our sins.'
2nd Elder: 'Living a life of Faith, freedom from fear and worry, to me that is Freedom.'
3rd Elder: 'I consider Freedom is the opportunity to live in the Light, a life of prayer and service to others.'
The 4th Elder looked at the others and said: 'You chaps have no idea, you are thinking too small. Freedom is when your youngest child leaves home and takes the dog.'


Go on....snigger....

Thankful Thursday

I thought it would be good to resume posting Thankful Thursday since it makes me stop and think.

I'll link to Greg's meme when I'm done...

The hugest Thankful is knowing that the Hub's sister and her family, who live in Brisbane, are fine. Thank you Lord!

1) Thankful for the Hub's continued employment. He doesn't enjoy the job, but regular money coming in is not to be sneezed at!

2) Thankful for chocolate and strong tea. Helps cope with the Hub's foul humour when he returns from work!

3) Thankful that Youngest returned to school this week without an almighty fight.

4) Thankful for some mild weather, dark and damp, but not that bitter, cuttingly damp cold we were having for many weeks.

5) Thankful for quiet days when I can sew and knit to my heart's content, and recharge the old batteries!

So what are your Thankfuls, amigos?

Thankful Thursday

Hey look, you guys! I actually remembered that it's Thursday!

Whoop-di-doo! Tally ho! Tiddly-pom! and all that sort of thing!!

So here goes:

Firstly: Thankful for the beautiful sunshiny amazing weather we've had this week! Sub zero temperatures, snow and ice, but so very, very beautiful!

Secondly: Thankful that my car has, so far, decided to stay on the road, despite the temptation to slalom through ditches and across the fields...as it did last winter! Its been very well behaved!

Thirdly: (I'm not blowing my trumpet here, I'm just really grateful), I received TWO blog awards during November.

This one from Kathy at Cottage Garden Quilter:

with a lovely comment...

and this one from Hazel at Hazel Loves Design:
with another lovely comment!
As Deborah says- Kindness Matters! Its nice to receive nice comments!

Fourthly: Thankful for firewood, a warm house, and the finances to keep us warm this winter. Not everyone is as lucky, I know.

Fifthly: (is there such a word?) The car got a puncture last night, late, but it was whilst the Hub had it, not me. I'm so thankful it wasn't me trying to change the tyre in the middle of the night at -5 degrees (where's the little 0 for degrees on the keyboard, by the way?), and he was thankful too. With just one car(that goes!), rural living can be complicated enough...

Off now to visit Greg's and link my Thankful Thursday post- is Greg ever going to fall off his chair when he sees me after all this time...or what!!!!

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday strikes again! Please visit Greg's to read his Thankfuls as they are always worth reading!

I think today's Thankfuls are a bit of a mixed bag...

1. Thankful that I've had some or all of my girls at home recently, on and off, now and then, occasionally- you get the gist! They ebb and flow like the tide but its just so good to have them around.

2. Thankful for my garden even if it remains mostly uncharted jungle...you know on Medieval maps when they wrote over the unexplored territory 'Here Be Dragons!'? Well they may have been referring to my garden you know! Its hard work but really good for the soul.

3. Thankful that the Hub has two week's leave at present and I get to spend all of every day with him. He's catching up on his weariness and also doing heavy work in the garden, and its just really good to have him at home.

4. Thankful for the rain this last fortnight, even if we seem to have moved rather abruptly from 'Summer' to 'Monsoon season'...bet you didn't know there was a monsoon season in the west of Ireland!! Ha! Ha! There isn't normally!! But the rain is good, very good.

5. Thankful for ripe raspberries! Straight from the bush...odd how seldom there are enough for everyone to have a good serving! Only a gardener knows the real delight of grazing the veg patch on a summer's day- ask Greg! He frequently says the very same thing!!

6. This is an extra, and a bit of an odd one perhaps:

Yesterday afternoon the Hub was working in the Cathedral so I went along and did some clearing in the Graveyard. Our Church is right in the middle of town but it was really peaceful working there despite cars and people on the other side of the wall.

As I weeded my way round slabs and headstones and crypts and doors I was thinking of the history of the place and all the people who have gone before us; the folks who have worshipped in the Church, who have mown the grass, who have carved the headstones, who have wept, laughed, feared, prayed, trusted; who have entered that place since 1245 to speak to God and been heard.

The first Rector was appointed after the Reformation in 1625, prior to that its possible the Church was served by the Friars from the Abbey, records are a bit sparse. Consider 1625 to 2010 as a modern Parish Church? That's a lot of people- that's some tradition we follow folks.

So then, I'm thankful for the past Parishioners of our Church who kept it in good repair and have preserved it so that each Sunday we can follow their footsteps and worship there.

Tinkful Toisday!

Thank you to Greg for hosting Thankful Thursday! He gets up REALLY early to do it you know!

This week's Thankfuls:

1. Thankful for this amazingly warm weather we are having, and also that it rained over the past few days- good growing conditions. For us, this warmth is wonderful!

2. Thankful for all the flowers, wild and cultivated, which are presently blooming; they do so brighten up the hedges, the countryside, the garden, and my day!

3. Thankful that when the car has been in the Garage recently they have been able to lend us one of their run-around vehicles. Being a rural one-car family has its challenges!

4. Thankful for the Sunday School children in Church and the fun of being with them. Last Sunday was the Sunday School Prize giving and the children did a play and sang- all four of them! It was great! (Our Congregation would consist almost entirely of retired folks, and of those of us with children they are mostly Secondary School and College age.)

5. Thankful that with all the 'away' activities my girls are into, that I can trust God to keep watch over them and to hold onto them. I've said it before but I'm saying it again- how do parents cope with their children's antics without a faith in God's love and providence?


Well, that 's my Thankfuls for this week- if you want to join in do visit Greg? He welcomes everyone at his place!

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday strikes again! I'm thankful to Greg for continuing to host this...or maybe I should say 'hosta' this since he's so into gardening!!
If you'd like to join in, please do? I think its a good thing to count one's blessings regularly, it certainly helps me to focus on things positive.

And this week's Thankfuls are:

1. Thankful that my 'away girls' still like to ring regularly and update me on the main events in their lives, some good, some not so, but I just am glad they like to chat. They are always and continuously such a gift to me.

2. Thankful that Youngest's State Exams are over- Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! and you can put away the ammunition now...We survived by the skin of our teeth and can start the real business of the Summer now: Doing Nothing!!!!

3. Thankful that the Primary Schools shut this week- last Assembly and farewell to 6th Class yesterday. Its always kinda sad to say goodbye to them but its such a small town that I regularly see past students around in the shops and that, and generally accost them for their latest news! And to give them their due- they are almost always kind enough to stop and share the scuttlebutt! Being a Teacher has its delights!

4. Thankful that its the Summer Hols and now we can drift for two months without School and College deadliness and 'must-do' frantic tearing about.

5. Thankful for my garden- its still a jungle to the 'untrained' eye but I get so much enjoyment from working outside in it and planning what to plant where and how it will look. I once read that a packet of seeds is the ultimate in optimism, but to me growing things is a statement of faith in my God-
He has provided-
He does provide-
He will provide-
Doubt never raises its ugly head in my garden.

Any blessings you want to share?

Thankful Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday.
Also known as Holy Thursday, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, and is preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday. (Wikipedia)

This week's Thankfuls concern Easter as we travel through Christ's Passion, Death and Resurrection- its a very intense time for Christians the world over.

1. Thankful that I live AC (after Christ!)

2. Thankful to live in a country with religious freedom and tolerance.

3. Thankful for God's Plan to save us from our sinful nature. 'For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' John 3:16.

4. Thankful for Jesus' obedience to His Father- imagine if he'd changed his mind? "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42.

5. Thankful that we are an EASTER people! "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16.

And just as a footnote- this was yesterday, the haze isn't mist or poor focus, its blowing snow and hail:

Its melting now, but there's a very black sky to the north so there's likely more on the way!

Remember Resolution No.9 from yesterday (which Jane found so funny, huh!) ? Well I uploaded the first item yesterday evening- the summery appliqué table runner I was working on, so I fear I'm a little ahead of myself there, season-wise...!

Thankful Thursday

Thursday doesn't just creep around; it leaps out at me, waving its hands and yelling 'I'm here! I'm here!' Does anyone else find this?
And that's a statement of fact, not a Thankful, just so's you know...

1. Thankful that Spring is slowly arriving. There are a few brave blossoms on the trees and some hardy daffs out, as well as the pussy willow I found at the Port.
2. Thankful for SURPRISES! Yesterday I got home late afternoon to find a parcel from Kat!

A novel set in Scotland, some note papers (one post-its and the other with a magnet back so it doesn't get lost!) and the kindest note! Amid all her health problems and she has time to be thinking of me? You are SOME FRIEND Kat!! And please could yez all pray for her today although her surgery should be done by now?

3. Thankful that my clivea is flowering:

Each year when the clivea flowers I get so excited, don't know why! Such beautiful flowers, they were rare enough in East Africa, even rarer here, so I guess its just the miracle of it!

4. Thankful for my crazy children...this is what BBug and I found on the breakfast table yesterday....

...a Theater prop, but a truly disgusting artifact for the breakfast table...Sos had got up early to finish it before having her shower...(she's living here this week as she's been ill again).

EURGH!

5. Thankful for a long phone chat with Dilly last night- they are rare enough. She had been working as Technical Assistant on the lights in the Theater all day as there were five short plays being performed for end of term assignments. She'd enjoyed herself but said that the nerves of student Directors and actors were very frayed. At one point whilst setting up the third (I think) piece, things got so fraught that she simply yelled 'BLACKOUT!' and flicked off the main lighting switch! Can you imagine?! She said that 10 seconds in the pitch dark restored every one's humour!!

6. Thankful for my car- its small, old, temperamental, breaks down from time to time, gets used like a pack-horse, has the mentality of an Army Bedford truck, and gives me a measure of independence.

And that's about it for this week!

Check out the Inspiring Music Challenge if you feel so inspired! (at end of post)

Have a good day folks!

Thankful Thursday

Another Thursday and time to line up our Thankfuls!

1. Thankful for the beautiful weather we've been having; arising to blue skies and sunshine every morning is just wonderful!

2. Thankful all three girls were home for the weekend! Dilly gets home every two or four months as she is so busy so its a gift when she is here! As you can see they interact very well!!!

3. Thankful for a safe day out for B's School yesterday. Over 300 students (6 coaches!)went to Galway to cheer on the Senior Rugby team in the Final of the Connaught Cup, and, for the first time in seven years they brought it home!

(got the photos off the school website!) And the report from today's 'Irish Times' Newspaper.

Their Rugby trips are always great fun, heck, they were even great fun when I was there back in the Dark Ages, and to win was a bonus. The School social life revolves around Rugby and music!

4. Thankful for parcels in the post- 'brown paper packages tied up with string'- so exciting!

5. Thankful for chocolate!!

6. Thankful for great surprises- like when I get an email to say I've won a prize! Thank you Kat and Jane!

And now I'm going to go sew- a bit of quilting on a border, play with Ulla's fabric as I've had an idea, make a batch of bread, look for a flying geese pattern for some of the purple fabric from yesterday, wind the two skeins of red wool into balls so I can knit them, and check the soup!

S'long folks!

Thankful Thursday

Its been a mixed week, and I have to admit it was difficult coming up with five Thankfuls, but the Bible says 'in ALL things give thanks', not 'now and again when you feel like it give thanks', and I am trying to practise that. If Jesus had said half way through His Ministry 'O Father I've really had enough' where would we be now??

1. Thankful for all the quilt comments and input which has kept my mind and hands occupied. Its both enjoyable and helpful to have all your opinions, so thank you lots and lots! And also thank you for your Jelly Baba poems- you gave me SUCH enjoyment! (winners at the end of the post!)

2. Thankful our Principal is back at school after surgery and time out as we both missed him and were concerned for him.

3. Thankful B Bug's mock exam results are coming back fairly reasonable- enough to indicate that with a bit more work she'll do fine in the summer, but not so bad that she gives up completely.

4. Despite the continuing fierce cold weather I'm thankful for a number of beautiful bright days. It does lift the spirits so.

5. Thankful for lots of Cd's of music to listen to.

OK then folks, the moment you've been waiting for!
The Jelly Baby Poet Laureate is.....drumroll!!.....Jingle!! Hooray! hooray! clapping!!!!
And the runners up are....Ulla, Kat, and Diana! Yes! Yes! a round of applause for the elegant poets that are in it
please!!!
I know I don't have Jingle and Diana's addresses, so if you go to the profile page and like to email me them then I'll post you all your Jelly Baby Medals!!

Ha! Ha! That was fun!

Thankful Thursday and a Funny Story

My! Don't Thursday's come around fast!

1. After yesterday's grizzle, just look what we got up to today!

Blazing sunshine, blue sky, and scarcely a cloud in sight! Oh THANK YOU LORD!

2. Here we have a 22 year old sewing machine (ignore the mess please, its not part of the Thankful) which has been in use almost every day of its life.

Mom brought it out to East Africa as a Wedding present for us, and promptly set it up on the dining table and made my wedding dress! (Well she made her own, and her bridesmaids' dresses so why stop at that?)

Thankful for this machine and the employment it gives me- to occupy me, to save money (as in clothes and curtain making), to earn something (as in sewing for other folks), to make friends (as in quilting circles and household mending for people); its been bumped and bashed halfway round the world and back, and I haven't arrived in a new home until it is set up!

3. Behold! An equally battered piano! Although this is not my original piano, we bought it soon after we arrived in 2000 and it has done trusty service albeit rather tuneless at times. (please excuse the black tail, Ben thought I was photographing him!)My two Grandmothers gave us Wedding money which was used for the first piano as I was teaching Music at the time, and to be able to do so from home was a financial asset, but in 2000 we sold that piano to pay for our air fares to move back to Ireland.
Thankful that I can sit down and play any time I want or need to; for me, playing the piano has always been a safety valve!

4. I know you have met these two lunatics many times before!
Caption:

Bertie, 'Why the heck won't she open the door? Its freezing out here!'

Ben, 'Photo op, bro, keep your fur on!'
Thankful for these two, their attention, nosiness, and especially their 'new-every-morning' attitude to life!

5. And after the long day that's invariably in it-
...my comfortable African bed!

Those are my regular, un-Godly, material, non-essential, everyday Thankfuls, all else is transitory!

Funny Story

As you'll know, yesterday was Ash Wednesday and as it happened, I was playing for the Evening Service. We had a clergyman who comes to us once every three weeks to help our rector, so although folk enjoy his preaching (good solid Bible based), as yet he doesn't really know us and our congregational idiosyncrasies...(this is relevant to the amusement factor!)

Last night, after the Penitential Service of Holy Communion, whilst I was playing the Recessional Voluntary, I watched the congregation file down the aisle to the porch, shake hands with and thank the Canon, then loop back and file solemnly back UP the aisle to the sanctuary...I don't think the Canon realised as he was busy greeting, and the look on his face when he came through the porch doors and saw most of the congregation on their knees by the altar rail was PRICELESS!

(The Altar is in the Chancel at present.)

Well the reason for it all is this: some years ago the vault under the Sanctuary pushed up and destroyed the floor. Now the vault is repaired, the floor replaced, and over the past five weeks a craftsman has been laying a new 'encaustic' tiled floor. Last night it was complete except for the grouting and it is simply a work of art...hence the viewing from hands and knees at the altar rail!!!!

(I'll try remember to take a photo on Sunday for you!)

Thankful Thursday

Barter/Swap link.
One World One Heart giveaway.
Another story- 'Summers in France'.

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. ~Oscar Wilde

Although Sonja is having a bloggish sabbatical I've missed the reflection which Thankful Thursday brings, so will try and continue it....when I remember that it's Thursday!

1. Thankful for several gorgeous sunny days, bitterly cold but the sunshine counts for so much! It really lifts the heart, and this morning, once the frost melted I could actually smell the beginning of Spring.

2. Thankful that B Bug is much better after nearly a week of being poorly with a bug. She has also been doing mock exams so had to keep going despite being very unwell.

3. Thankful that Sos is really enjoying her live-in job and doing extra student teaching in School, as well as her College Course. She is really happy and loving life at present.

4. Thankful that our God continues to provide for us and somehow (miraculously) we continue to make ends just about meet. On paper we ought to be in a Debtors' Prison by now!!!

5. Thankful for people such as Nelson Mandela who uphold freedom and right thinking and God's potential perfection in this Godless world. There are so many unsung heroes out there fighting wars we know nothing about. God's Grace on them and their struggles on others' behalf.

Thankful Thursday

Well I missed the last two Thankful Thursdays, not because there was a lack of things to be thankful for, but because during the school holidays I never know what day it is! Sonja hosts this meme so if you want to read more head on over...
Well this week's Thankfuls:

1. Thankful Dilly is home from College in Dublin for a whole month; a chance for her to relax and get her health back on track, also to spend time with her sisters. (and her parents?)

2. Thankful that the snow and frost is so pretty to look at, and that we've had many gloriously beautiful days. If we have to be cut off, get stuck, crunch the car, walk on ice because the car won't get through to the house, etc, at least its good to look at!

3. Thankful to Jane for writing a wonderfully kind post about a doll I made...everyone appreciates kindness, but mothers most of all I guess. Thank you for making my day, Jumpin' Jungle Mama!

4. Thankful Sos was given a job as Night House-Mistress at school. She can live-in, walk to College and still have time for her studies, and when needed, her part-time job at the florist; 'practically perfect in every way...' (to quote Mary Poppins!)

5. Thankful my sister took long holidays this Christmas and is with the folks as I haven't had the courage to drive in the snow so haven't been able to get over to them. She is 'minding' them very well I know, because she is like that.

And there you have it!

Thankful Thursday!

1. Thankful for sunrises! Isn't this incredible?
I took it this morning at sunrise when I went out to de-ice the car.

2. Thankful for the beauty of a frosty morning!

Its been a lovely bright but very cold day.

3. Thankful that the school Carol Service is on track. This morning was spent with all the children in Church practising their songs with the Organist.

4. Thankful we live in the age of penicillin. This afternoon was spent at the Doctor's surgery with Sos, who has tonsillitis. It used to be a regular occurrence with her, but we'd escaped the last few years and I was hoping she'd grown out of it. No such luck, and this is as bad a dose as she's had.

5. Thankful for my eccentric children! THIS is the sitting-room at present...decorations everywhere except the tree- AARGH!
The lights...ah yes....yesterday evening B got into trouble with her father for attempting repeatedly to lasso the top branches of the tree with the end of the string of lights...she couldn't be bothered setting up the ladder (which was beside her!).

Next question: do any of the lights still work??

All you with sons think BOYS are bold? I've always held that our daughters are past masters of the special art of 'Creative Badness'.

Alternative Thankful Thursday!

Ok, so this is not quite what Sonja had in mind for Thankful Thursday but I decided to post it anyway for three reasons:

1. On Tuesday we heard from my youngest sister for the first time in 25 days as she returned safely from an Antarctic cruise.
2. Reading her Trip Summary I am so very Thankful that there are still amazing and incredible places on this Earth to visit.
3. I firmly believe that first hand experience has more effect on us in inspiring us to look to a more ecologically sound way of future living, and accounts like this can have far-reaching effects on caring for our wonderful God-given planet.
(photos are off the Internet, sites at the bottom of the post, my sister doesn't take many photos.)

The Falklands were great. Such amazing wildlife, with Black Browed Albatross and Rockhopper penguins nesting together on cliffs which we could approach (to within about 5m of the nests) without disturbing them, wild scenery (not unlike the rugged bits of the west of Ireland), some beautiful beaches where if it wasn´t for the freezing temperatures and the Magellanic penguins going about their business, you would have sworn with the white sands and turquoise seas that you were in the Caribbean. After 4 days there, we had 2 days at sea and arrived into King Haarkon Bay in South Georgia. It was the first time any of the Peregrine staff had managed to get into the Bay and it is where Shackleton arrived after his journey across from Elephant Island on the 'James Caird'. The place has been visited so little that there aren´t decent charts of the waters, so from about 5am onwards when we started making our way into the bay, the ship´s tender (which has a depth sounder) and one of our zodiacs were out in front to check for safe depths before the captain brought the ship in at a snail's pace (so slow in fact that it was hard to tell whether or not we were moving).

It is a spectacular bay, and we did a landing onto a long beach where elephant and fur seals hang out, and where we had our first sighting of king penguins (a little group of about 6 of them who just stood and looked at us), all surrounded by stunning mountains and glaciers. From there, the staff did a test landing into Rosa Bay (where Shackleton's men then moved to) to see if we could land but between a large swell at the gangway, and big surf on the proposed landing site, they decided it was unsafe so we headed on around the coast.

South Georgia Island We landed at various other places along the east coast including Grytvyiken the "capital", but i think the highlight was Salisbury Plain, a humongous King Penguin colony. We were all in heaven, just sitting on the ground watching the penguins going about their business. One of the wildlife rules is that you have to stop 5m away from the penguins, however, in a lot of cases no one has told the penguins this. So if you stop and sit down, they come over to investigate you (especially the chicks who were hilarious nosey brown fluff balls who run about the place like lunatics) or to just walk by you without a backward glance on their way to the sea or to the colony.

In fact, just as we arrived on one of the beaches, a crowd of them (ie king penguins) were just arriving into the beach from their fishing trip, and they came waddling over to look at us, to inspect the zodiac and to rummage through the life jackets. Another time as we were standing there waiting to get on a zodiac to go back to the ship about 10 of them came up and queued behind us. They obviously heard that the food was good on board.

The chicks provided endless entertainment, running around bashing into each other and coming running looking for food as soon as their parents arrived back from their fishing excursions. Invariably it was either cold or last zodiac time which drove us back to the ship, never boredom.
I really wished i could have brought some home! The little chicks were the most comical. We were sitting at the edge of one creche watching them for ages, and there were these two bold ones who, every so often, would just take off, running havoc through the creche, knocking over their fellow chicks with their chests. Caused us endless amusement.

Southern Ocean between Falklands and South Georgia

We also saw reindeer on a couple of landings, which was a bit of a novelty. And of course, there were huge numbers of other birds, mainly Petrels and Albatross. But none of them were as exciting as the penguins.
Second last day in South Georgia, we managed to get our first proper kayak in, in a place called Larsen Harbour where we kayaked down the length of the channel to the glacier at the end. It was a beautiful sunny day, with perfect flat water conditions. We then missed a landing as the weather changed and high winds and large swell kept us out of Gold Harbour. However, the expedition guys decided to try a place further north which they thought might be sheltered enough to land, although they had never been there before. So we ended up with a fabulous afternoon in a stunningly beautiful bay, hiking up over the hills, throwing snowballs, tobogganing down same hills on our bums, admiring the views and avoiding the fur seals (who like to bite). It was still beautifully sunny as we set sail further south, and spotted our first huge ice berg (big excitement).

Antartica

And from there we had another 2 sea days to arrive into Elephant Island, the very north of what could be counted as Antarctica. In fact, we were not able to land there as the fog and ice were too bad, so we spent a few hours out on deck admiring said ice (and fog), spotting a few seals on the ice, and a few penguins in the water, before we headed on further south.

We then had 3 or 4 days of just amazing landings on the islands and the peninsula proper. A few of us swam at Deception Island (freezing but apparently a degree or two warmer than the rest of the Antarctic Ocean due to the fact that you are swimming in an active volcano), saw lots of Adelie, Gentoo and Macaroni penguins, saw endlessly beautiful ice formations, kayaked in among said ice bergs with penguins jumping in the water all around us, hiked up a few mountains, admired the scenery, and felt like it all passed far too quickly and that we hadn´t had nearly enough time there.

The last day was the highlight among many highlights. Us kayakers (15 of us I think) had a fabulous kayak in the morning, on jet black sea which looked like a moving carpet with the gentle swell that bobbed us around, under ice cliffs which seemed to go up for miles, lots of ice bergs a few seals around, and the usual quota of penguins. Once back on board, we did a ship cruise through the Lemaire channel, a stunning narrow channel (less than 500m wide i think at the entrance) with steep high cliffs and blue glaciers everywhere. We then did our (last) afternoon excursion to Petermann Island where about 8 of us opted to kayak again. We were kayaking literally in among the ice, over the icebergs (which you aren´t really supposed to do but there wasn´t much space for us anywhere else), in beautiful sunshine (my lips got a bit of a roasting despite factor 50 suntan lotion), and with penguins everywhere, in the water with us, on the rocks as we kayaked around the island, and on top of the icebergs we kayaked past. I can´t even begin to describe the incredible colours or the clearness of the water. None of us wanted to get back into the zodiac to get back on board, but we had a deadline of 4pm because we were so far south and they were expecting bad weather on our trip back to Ushuaia.

Antarctic Sea Ice

We had another equally beautiful sail through the Lemaire channel before heading out into the open ocean and back up to South America. Just as we were leaving the Lemaire channel, we were surrounded by a pod of about 50 orcas who performed for us for about half an hour. They delayed dinner as we were all glued to the deck watching them swim by the ship, close enough to see their blow holes as they breached. It was an incredible end to an incredible day. I seem to have overused the word incredible a lot in the last paragraph! We watched from the bar that evening as the last tip of the peninsula disappeared from sight at about 1am (still in broad daylight).

Ushuaia

We then had another 2 days at sea, and got one more treat as the Chilean authorities allowed us to approach to within 3 nautical miles of a very benign looking Cape Horn (usually they don´t allow ships closer than 12 nautical miles). We then had one last dinner at sea as we came through the Beagle Channel, far too late a night of partying, a last breakfast on board, and then we were thrown back into reality in Ushuaia.

And so ends my little trip report. It was an absolutely amazing trip. The ship and crew were great, the landings were brilliant and the penguins performed perfectly. Was it a once in a lifetime trip? I´m not so sure about that! I think I will have to go back, to spend some more time on the Peninsula, and also maybe to go into the Weddell Sea and Ross sea in an icebreaker to see the Emperor Penguins (and preferably their chicks too). Maybe I should look for a job on board so I can do it for free.....

Sites for photos: one two three trip itinerary