Day 29 Arrival in the Falklands

Dolphins escort us back to the Falklands

Tuesday, 24th April 2012. This is the day 29 of our Southern Ocean cruise to the Weddell Sea, the Scotia Sea and South Georgia. After nearly a month at sea the James Clark Ross is within sight of the Falkland Islands again. For us scientists returning to the Falklands means the end of the cruise, but for many on board it meant to come home. Several crew members had grown up here, or had family or friends on the islands. It would also be a homecoming for the JCR, which is registered in Stanley. The ship was also coming to her home port.

Just as we came closer and closer to land a pod of dolphins gave us a welcome escort on our portside. It was great to see Commerson's dolphins again. A month ago we had seen them feeding in the surf at Bertha's beach whilst the ship was waiting to be mobilised at Mare Habour. Now it felt like they were welcoming us back again.

Passing Yorke Bay and Gypsy Cove

As we steamed north along the eastern coast of the East Falkland Island we also passed Yorke Bay and Gypsy Cove not far from Stanley. This is the place where I had seen my first ever wild penguins - the cove is home to a large colony of Magellanic penguins. After seeing so many more species of penguins and sea birds it felt like a very long time since I saw my first of the little fellows waddling along the beach in its droll tuxedo.

Passing "The Narrows", Stanley in the background

The FIPASSS dock near Stanley

Just before the final approach towards the docks the ship squeezed through "The Narrows" - a passage between two close points of land just wide enough to let us into Stanley Harbour, but narrow enough (as the name suggests) to form a perfect natural harbour. Only minutes later we approached the FIPASS docks, the lines went out and the ship was made fast. After some amazing adventures on Antarctic seas and sub-antarctic islands, it was nice to see our home safely tied up in port. For the science crew this is our last port of call. From here we'll fly back home to the UK, while the ship and her crew will head north in a couple of days to start the science campaign in the Arctic Ocean on the other side of the planet.

The JCR tied up in Stanley

There was not much more for us to do other than head for the big city lights of Stanley. A post-cruise beer was definitely on order.

The lights of the big city of Stanley

On a different note - a big shout out goes to Vicky's mum, who I am told is my biggest fan! Happy Birthday, Jane!