Friday, 6th February, at sea and heading to Pio XI Glacier 8 degrees

We woke to the dark looming side of a fiord hanging over us and the occasional ice fragment going past. We had been told that we were likely to get to Glacier Pio XI around 8.00 but it turned out to be earlier.

The day was brighter than yesterday ……

And we only just had time to register that before the Glacier itself came into view……

It is apparently the largest western outflow of the Southern Patagonian Ice field (I am told). It is 42 miles long and covers an area of 1,265 Kilometres. About the size of Santiago the capital of Chile. It has ice walls of 50 to 75 metres above the water level. I have to say that we did not get closer than a mile away, but it certainly did not look that high from where we were, but it was certainly pretty impressive. I guess that measurement could have taken account of the amount under the water as well. The water in front of it was also beginning to freeze. It is one of the only glaciers in the world that is still growing despite the global warming that is having devastating effects all over the world.

Taking photographs of it was addictive. It was fascinating. The cloud in the area around it was equally fascinating.

We went up to a higher level on the ship to get a better view

In the end the ship was turned right round and we got our last view of it……

And an arty shot from Keith! Not sure how he got behind my glasses!!

We then had to give up. We had already popped in to breakfast in the midst of all the excitement, so having picked up my uke I dashed off to play and then went straight on to Bridge. I found myself during the lesson bit of the session having a similar feeling to that which I had in maths lessons at school all those years ago that I didn’t understand – the overwhelming feeling of a sinking heart. Note to self: just pull yourself together, it is only a game!

When we emerged from Bridge, the day had definitely brightened and we were able to cover a few laps on the promenade deck before lunch. The sun had come out and I thought the rocky layers in front of us had taken on a texture similar to that of elephant hide – a sort of scuffed dart grey appearance.

We eventually retired to lunch and there being nothing pressing in the talks department we went back to the cabin for a bit of down time before taking to the promenade deck again. By now we were leaving the Chilean fiords behind. There was still snow on the peaks of the mountains around us ……

…. And the birds were back. We saw Sooty (!) Shearwaters and Kelp Gulls.

Before long we were in open water again. The sea had become more choppy and there was a heavy sea mist.

We were all present for supper. Everyone had enjoyed today’s glacier and after dinner we were all (unusually – we mostly opt out of the entertainment) going to the early entertainment in the theatre. It was a tap dancing group called The Tap Chaps. They were nothing if not energetic!

Tomorrow is another day at sea – which we always enjoy. Matthew, the west wing of our Bridge team (I am not sure why I always give Bridge a capital letter – maybe because it appears to be quite big in my mind) is off to do a ‘behind the scenes’ tour, so we will be down to three. There is often a sort of floating person ready to step in, which could be interesting – or not depending on their degree of fluency with the game with me being such a duffer. We shall see what materialises.

The other challenge tomorrow is that I have booked a hair cut. Now that could go either way. I will either be pleased with it or I will be wearing a yashmak for the rest of the cruise. At the moment it is a very fine line.