We are here in the Weddell Sea on the Eastern side of the Antarctic peninsular and there is a drastic change in the weather. We go outside to gaze in amazement at the icebergs and it is freezing cold, definitely quite different to what we experienced just yesterday. Our Antarctic adventure has just begun! 
We are not able to do a landing but Graham suggests we go cruising in the zodiacs instead, to experience first hand this amazing winter wonderland, hang on..it’s summer here!
There are icebergs everywhere and we learn the difference between brash ice and ice flows. Brash ice breaks off from icebergs, which have come from the Antarctic ice sheet (glacial ice – fresh water) and formed from previous snow falls. Ice flows result from the ocean freezing, and consists of salt water! 
As we cruise we see a penguin on the ice. It is alone on an ice flow, in this vast and silent landscape and I am amazed at how evolution has provided for these animals to survive these harsh conditions. 
We have all dressed a lot warmer than we had on previous occasions. I’ve put on a few layers of thermals as well as lots of woollen sweaters under 
my parka. However, we are sitting on the zodiacs for over an hour and slowly both my hands and feet start to freeze. By the time we head back to our ship, I am more than ready for a hot bath and a hot chocolate. 
At recap that evening, my friends and I reflect at the courage, endurance and survival skills of those early explorers, who withstood this environment in wooden boats for hundreds of days. I can barely stand the cold for an hour! 
"Men Wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success." — Ernest Shackleton (1874—1922), [probably fake] newspaper announcement before his Endurance Expedition
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