Polar Radar for Ice Sheet Measurements

Tuesday 17 October 2000
Biologist Tracy and others spoke about the Leopard Seal Program in this afternoon’s talk.

It is two weeks now since our departure from Tasmania and no ice to be seen - not even in our drinks! "When are we going to get there" is building to a crescendo around the ship.

Ah, but we did see some ice this afternoon.

Gordon conspired with a couple of colleagues and pulled a prank on the officer of the watch – dangling a big bag of ice by rope from the Monkey Island down outside the Bridge windows - our first Iceberg sighting!!!! Gordon had alerted some people with cameras including the National Geographic team – so the event was captured on film much to everyone’s amusement!!

The final of the Darts Doubles Championships was held tonight with some impressive playing including triple bullseyes!! Gordon had another of his candlelight suppers with friends - does this mean anything to anyone out there?
Clocks changed back one more hour tonight.

Wednesday 18 October 2000
The seal team held a planning meeting for all involved with their program. The onboard observation programs continue.

The talk this afternoon was a presentation by Producer Birgit on ‘Critter Cam’ - animal borne imaging and data logging. We viewed a film of the world as seen by a seal - whew - a fast moving rollercoaster ride!! See the special report "Critter Cam".

Gordon and I had a recording session with the NGS people this afternoon and will finish it tomorrow. In today’s session we talked about the Geobears project and the collaboration Gordon is having with Betty in the USA. It’s so exciting we might have a few seconds in the NGS production which will come out of this trip. The production is about Leopard Seals - their behaviours particularly underwater but the whole story includes the trip down and various events which occurred during it.
Still no ice or icebergs - Gordon can’t remember a trip to the continent when it has been this long without sight of the ice. Gordon says it must be close though, because he has seen some snow petrels and they tend to remain within the broad zone of sea ice. The feel of the ocean suggests to Gordon that we near sea ice - which tends to dampen the size of seas and swell.

Must go for now as we need our sleep. Lots happening - we have more time with the cameras in the morning followed by a meeting about helicopter operations. Quiz night tomorrow. Preparations for arrival of King Neptune are also being brewed but my furry lips are sealed - more when it all happens.