Ocean Tramp – Heading North again

Blog 29th/30th Dec

An early start on Hovgaard, as we eased our way out of our tight anchorage amoungst the rocks. The sun was shining and the plan to make it to Port Charcot to see the penguins and a hike up the hill to the view point was on! It’s a glorious southerly facing view towards Mount Shackleton in the distance, rising to 1300 feet and Mount Faraday rising to 1476 feet.
Our time south was done and time to make tracks back north before the weather closes in during the next few days. 160 Nm to Deception Island and the weather was calm.
A beautifully still and blue sky passage rewarded our efforts and we made a quick stop at Two Hummocks Island so the crew could get a few hours of sleep.
0600 hrs, we were off again, 80 Nm to go to Deception. The passage between Two Hummocks and Deception Island is exposed to the swells rolling in from the north and the ‘Furious Fifties’ latitudes of the Southern Ocean, and we could feel it! As the breeze died, we were left rolling along at several Knots towards the caldera that is Deception Island. As we slid inbetween what is known as ‘Neptune’s Bellows”.. a gap in the mountains, allowing the sea farer an entrance to the relative safety and shelter of Deception Island, it was 2000 hrs and time for dinner.
We dropped anchor in a small cove on the north eastern corner of the bay, and settled into some Lamb Tagine and cheese cake. A long day and time for bed, ready for tomorrows landing at Whalers Bay!