After the disappointment of missing out on the zodiac landings the previous day, we awoke to clear if drizzly skies only to be further disappointed. In order to avoid the worst of yesterday’s storm our Captain had diverted the ships course and we no longer crossed the International Date Line depriving me of an additional birthday and Ilze and I of the club record “ being in the presence of DROC jackets on the shortest Thursday the 4^th ever recorded.” Instead we had to endure a regular sized Thursday loitering around St Pauls Island. ( Lat 50.49.N . Lon 147.45 W)

The original  plan was to land us all ashore by the ships tender, life jackets not required, but the swell made embarkation a bit difficult so the ship was relocated to the other side of this (almost) god forsaken strip of land in the Bering Sea. A gloomy, windswept place, home  to 400 or so Aleut Inhabitants, a dozen of whom had gathered to watch this ship load of woskers try and get to shore without drowning. This also proved impossible so the Plan C was a zodiac excursion close to the shore to see the wild life.

Great pandemonium ensured as this meant full waterproofs, boots and life jackets all of which takes about half an hour to put on, and about 45 minutes to take off (Just ask Debbie and Ian). The first parties got successfully away but before our turn came the swell had returned and our excursion was cancelled. The skipper allowed the ship to come closer to the rocks and we did see some fur seals, specks in the distance and one lone eider duck. But we did not see any fulmars or puffins so I  nicked their photos off the internet

We are now facing another full day at sea. (Wind 12.5 knots from the NW. Sea state rising to 1.5metres. Temp 8C)  The programme contains a Nit and Natter a bridge tour, and after lunch an introduction into Cocktail making, perhaps the last is best avoided.

After visiting the bridge, I now have compass envy.

Pete