I mentioned that the smaller portion is having an awful recovery (if that is the right word). He is still in the one step forward, two back stage and I don't think his condition has improved since he got out of hospital. Which we are both finding difficult. And frightening. And he is being a toad and refusing to see or talk to a doctor before his follow up appointment next month.
I could dwell on the negatives but, since denial is not
just a river in Egypt, I have chosen to ignore them as far as I can. I am concentrating very firmly on pleasant and/or beautiful things.
My last post was about the furry tyrants. This time I am going back, yet again, to Antarctica.
In the last month nearly 300 people have visited an
earlier Antarctic post, It is far and away my most popular post so I hope that this isn't just self indulgence. And if it is, feel free to tip toe quietly away.
Some of you will remember that after my mother's death significant amounts of my inheritance were
squandered invested in fulfilling a life long dream.
I cannot remember NOT wanting to go to Antarctica and my trip lived up to my dreams - and surpassed them. The scenery was awe-inspiringly beautiful and the wild life incredible. There are restrictions on how close you can go to the birds and the animals - but no-one told them that. I was, as I have whinged before, appallingly sea-sick - and it didn't matter. If my health or my finances would allow me to do it again I would go in a heart beat. I hug the memories very tightly to myself.
There will be a LOT of photos, many of which I have posted before, but I hope you enjoy revisiting them. As always, clicking on the photos will embiggen them.
I was away for three weeks, seeing the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and some of Antarctica.
On the principle of never letting a chance go by, I swam twice. Sans wet suit. Since MS means I really don't feel the cold it (for once) gave me an advantage.
And now for the beauty and wonder.
The birds...
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| Adelie Penguin |
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| Baby King Penguin in its first moult |
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| More baby King Penguins - with adults in the background |
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| Gentoo Penguin |
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| Magellan Penguins |
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| King Penguins |
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| ChinStrap Penguin |
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| Rock Hopper Penguins and Albatross |
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| Skuas - rushing to a carcass |
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| Stormy Petrel |
The seals...
The scenery...
Do you wonder that when I am dribbling in my rocking chair at the retirement home I expect these are the memories I will be hanging on to?
Stunning. Did you get seasick? I've long wanted to go to the sub-Antartic islands ( NZ owns several of these) but I am chronically motion- sickness challenged. Yes, I think it's worth any money to have great memories.
ReplyDeletelynners: Motion sickness or not - if you get the chance, go. It is sooooo beautiful.
DeleteSorry - didn't read full post, enthralled by photos. Yes, you did get seasick, did you try taking anything?
ReplyDeletelynners: MS medication means that I cannot take most of the standard motion sickness remedies. On the absolute worst day it took four injections to stop the unwellness. And it was still worth it.
DeleteYou are a wahine toa, a woman of power.
Deletelynners: Power? Or stubborness - but thank you.
DeleteI have just enjoyed the most wonderful slide show and thank you for sharing. Our endocrinologist and his wife went to Antarctica via Argentina a year or so back and he said they were enthralled with it all.
ReplyDeleteLove that close up of the seal, and those penguins are fascinating. Not sure about the skuas as I believe they can be quite nasty to young birds. I know it's just nature but...I am a real softie when it comes to baby creatures of all kinds.
I'm not sure if I've perhaps been asleep but I had never checked out your earlier Antarctica post. Bit of a dunce there I'm afraid.
Mimsie: Yes, the skuas are carnivores. Just the same they have to live - though I don't like watching them hunt and eat. And the penguins and the seals were gorgeous.
DeleteI truly am a dodo.....I had seen some of your pics before but had forgotten. Sorry about that but this time I feel you included extra pics? Was wondering about the graves.
ReplyDeleteMimsie: I did include some extra/different photos this time. There were graves at each countries centre. I suppose don't think that until recently there were any alternatives - if you died there you stayed there. We also stopped at Ernest Shackleton's grave, though that was less stark.
DeleteWhat an absolutely ravishing post, a real feast of delights! I don't think you'll have to hang on to them in your retirement home, I think they will always be an integral part of you. Wonderful memories!
ReplyDeleteDave King: Thank you - though you may have taken away my excuse for dribbling. You are right - these memories are with me always...
DeleteDenial is indeed in Egypt and everywhere else it seems. You are carrying a great deal and, maybe, you might have to overide SP's opinion, act when you feel you must, and consult whomever you need to consultwhen it is necessary to get this sorted out...whatever it takes, do it.Even nothing. I admire your courage and thinking... as well as the pictures of anctartica. Together with my C as we flub along with gardens, grandchildren and whathaveyou, I am wishing all the best.
ReplyDeleteChristine: Thank you for the double C good wishes. It is his decision - however wrong I think it. Not easy though...
DeleteThe baby penguins look like they are wearing little fun coats. expect a zipper down the front and they can just step out of them.
ReplyDeleteEven if you can't feel cold you must have felt water at 1.4 C.!
Birdie: The water was certainly 'brisk', but other swimmers certainly felt more pain than I did.
DeleteHi EC What a wonderful post. Youor photos ar superb. Such memories you have in your heart and on your computer. I just want tto go there now. The Penguins with their moulting coats look great but the best shot is the clsoe up of that seal. Magnificent. I hope you have more photos for us to see. I am off on my hols adn probably won't have the time to make coments but still hope I have time to post.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Adamson: Thank you - and have a wonderful holiday.
DeleteLove those little 'chin strap' penguins. Still, a cold and barren land. I think I'll stay with Ontario thanks.
ReplyDeleteDelores: The chin strap penguins are also known as 'Bobbie' or 'Policemen' penguins - for the police helmet chin strap. I did (badly) miss trees - but it is soooo very beautiful.
DeleteWhat an amazing adventure!!!!! It must have been sheer heaven for you to see such incredible wildlife. Thanks so much for sharing your pictures.
ReplyDeleteSorry your hubby is still struggling. Let's hope things start looking up for him soon. (Before he drives you batty.) Happy weekend!
Susan: Too late, I am already batty, but yes I DO hope things improve.
DeleteAnd Antarctica was heaven on a stick.
Wonderful, splendid photos!
ReplyDeleteYou lucky, lucky thing, to swim and get to see all of that fab creation of Mother Nature :)
I do so like the Chinstrap Penguin....when you go back do you think you could slip a couple in your luggage for moi?
Hope the smaller portion is better again soon xxx
Jayne: I would like rather a lot of the penguins, and the seals. My luggage would need to be BIG.
DeleteWhat an adventure you had. I love the declaration stating that you swam in the extremely cold water. You certainly are a hardy and brave lady.
ReplyDeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: It was a wonderful adventure - and no courage was needed.
DeleteWow! Yes, I think if it were my adventure, I would be remembering these scenes forever. Thank you so much for sharing them, since I guess I wasn't following you when you wrote the previous post. Your pictures are simply stunning: the penguins, the seals, the scenery.
ReplyDeleteDJan: I will most certainly remember it forever. With glee.
DeleteI could never visit there, I'd be afraid of the extreme cold.
ReplyDeletePenguins are adorable though
Adam: You can only visit Antarctica in the summer. It was cool, but not frigid. And the beauty more than made up for the cool (which I like anyway).
DeleteI'm so sorry for the smaller portion's struggles. Easy to become afraid or discouraged and turn into a toad. I wish you both strength.
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: Fear/disappointment are powerful motivators. And at the moment I don't have the power to turn him into a Prince with a kiss. Thanks for your positive thoughts.
DeleteI never saw a aby penquin in molt before. How cool is that! What are the crosses on the beach? That had to be an amazing trip.
ReplyDeleteTeresa: Aren't they gorgeous? The crosses mark graves. Which is sad, but I found myself thinking that there are worse places to spend eternity.
DeleteDenial is necessary sometimes, often in fact I find and these pictures, your experienceS there are INCREDIBLE. They really are. I culd never manage the cold, I'm quite the opposite to you there, so am vicariously enjoying your wonderous trip. So many people would never take the plunge (in more ways than one here), but they miss out on an investment in memories that more than outweighs the monetary cost. I'd love to see the Grand Canyon, and, to keep to the above mentioned denial, in another dimension visit Egypt, but they can sod off in this one. I love the pictures of the penguins, and that huge smiling face has been mirrored with much the same expression here. A joy to see, I'm so glad you have this x
ReplyDeleteAll Consuming: Denial is very, very useful. The skinny one has been to Egypt several times now - and loved it. And the Grand Canyon would be quite a sight too. Dreams...
DeleteIncredible pictures and how very kind of you to share them with us as often as we need. Especially since we might have trouble hunting you down when we all are rocking and drooling.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for SP, but you're correct. If he's completely sane, it's not your call. Perhaps he needs a cold water sanity certificate--but not yours.
Joanne Noragon: Thank you. He is sane(ish) which is about the best we can hope for. Letting him follow his own path is hard though. Right, necessary and difficult.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear that the smaller one's recovering is slower than hoped for; but sometimes we just have to abide by the choices of the individual whois the one going through it personal, as difficult and disturbing as that is. I know what it's like having to deal with stubbornness; and it's not easy.
ReplyDeleteHold on tightly to your memories of your visit to Antarctica. Enjoy every moment of those memories; and never apologise for time spent relishing the cherished memories.
Lee: I am also stubborn/determined/pig headed so I cannot really blame the skinny one. Much.
DeleteBreathtaking photographs. Wonderful memories to cherish whether you're in your rocking chair or not.
ReplyDeleteHope the little one's recovery will be very very soon.
Wendy aka Quillfeather: Thank you - I do cherish them. And yes, I really, really hope that the skinny one moves into recovery mode. Before I kill him, the doctor or myself.
DeleteI do hope the smaller portion is not making things worse for himself by not contacting the doctor if he's not making the progress he should. I wish you both strength and healing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these awesome photos. I loved them all, especially the one of the little seal lying on its back.
Don't be surprised if I visit occasionally while I'm on a break. There are a few blogs I really don't want to miss...even if I don't comment while I'm officially on break.
Carol Kilgore: I am flattered - and you are more than welcome whenever you drop in. I had always thought that nothing relaxed better than cats or kangaroos, but the seals looked pretty laid back to me. Very laid back. And the ugly bull elephant seal looked totally blissed out.
DeleteI am pretty certain the the smaller portion IS making life more difficult. Hiss and spit.
Must be so frustrating and very scary for you right now. Please feel this hug I am sending you over there. Your photos of Antarctica are truly amazing.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: It is indeed frustrating and frightening - but the next steps are up to the skinny one. Which is also scary and frustrating.
DeleteStuuning photos EC. I love looking at your photos and hearing about your adventure. As I have mentioned before, Antarctica is a place I have wanted to visit since I was young. I almost made it there when I was living in Australia, another place I always wanted to visit, and did! When I am old and grey, my memories will be the adventures I had in OZ, which BTW were pretty spectacular!
ReplyDeleteKaren: I am so glad that you have memories of Australia to hug to yourself.
DeletePost away, these are incredible! I'm sorry the smaller portion is being so stubborn. I thought Mr. RK invented that, but maybe it's his entire gender.
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: It is such an amazing place. And yes, sometimes I think it is a gender issue. (Though I am 'determined' myself.)
DeleteNever knew until your first Antarctica post that there is more than one kind of penguin - ha ha! I just love these guys, especially the rock hoppers with those eye feathers. What a marvellous adventure. I admire your courage to go despite the seasickness.
ReplyDeleteDenial is not a bad thing. It has its uses, and its times. Being able to immerse yourself in something else is a great stress reliever, and a needed one, it seems, at the moment. Continued wishes and hopes for positive progress.
jenny_o: And there are other penguins too. So clumsy on the land, and so incredible in the water.
DeleteThank you for your good wishes. Denial has a lot of charm today too - we were up until five this morning, and I am a tired puppy.
Oh EC these images are magnificent and mesmerising. Funny that memories of such an icy place can make us feel so warm. Your images and words bring your trip to life, so inspiring!
ReplyDeletekim: Thank you. I dislocated my jaw on a daily basis, oohing and aahing. It was/is unbelievably beautiful.
DeleteMen... having one who is as stubborn as can be when it comes to his health, I often find myself exasperated beyond words.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, has cancer scared 'some' of the complacency out of him.
I do commiserate though, with both of you. He (again like so many men) is scared and doesn't want to dwell on his situation, I imagine.
My hubby was like that. And my heart went out to him so often as I saw the fear in his eyes.
But I couldn't fight his battle for him, and it was a very difficult period.
My best wishes to you both - so much.
Now...
I enlarged and really took my time looking at these images EC.
I'm in AWE. Total awe, looking at them.
My heart lurched and I gasped at the breathless beauty.
Perhaps you should have some of them made into a calendar for yourself next year - each month a wonderful reminder (along with your memories), that "you were there".
Something few of us can say.
And, I can only imagine how thrilling and exhilarating it must have been to have slipped into the chilled waters in one of the most pristine, stunning places on this good earth.
I'm going back to look at them again :)
Vicki: I am so glad you liked them. Antarctica would have been perfection if it had polar bears and walruses - and was very, very close anyway. I have three of the photos blown up and on the walls. And could easily put up another thirty-three.
DeleteI suspect you are right about the smaller portion's fear - but this is NOT something he is going to admit to. And yes, if caring could make a difference he would be completely recovered. I hurt with and for him - and can't change a thing. Dammit.
Just superb. You could post these as often as you like, and I would still find them entrancing. What a wonderful thing to have done.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Alexia: Thank you - I am very glad not to have bored people to sobs with yet another of my obsessions. And yes, it was truly wonderful.
DeleteEC, I can clearly see why you would hold tight to the memories of your amazing trip! Awesome.
ReplyDeleteMia McPherson: Thank you. Such an amazing place - and one that people haven't quite ruined yet. A rarity.
DeleteI love these! I get to enjoy the Antarctic without freezing my fingers and toes off. The 9th bird photo...that's a veritable river of penguins. I love the second seal photo, he's looking right at me and the scenery! The second photo is an ice dragon.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do remember all of this when you are in a nursing home (many years from now) with nothing much to look at.
River: I plan to remember it - I really hope I can remember it. It was magic.
DeleteCould you perhaps visit his doctor on your own and mention the small one isn't making any progress? Perhaps the doctor will then decide to request an update visit from him?
ReplyDeleteRiver: I could see the GP - and am seriously thinking about it, but not the specialist without a referral.
Deleteyou talk about it being imprudent to take the trip but sometimes prudence has to be abandoned, we more often regret the things we didnt do than the things we did
ReplyDeletekylie: I have NO regrets about Antarctica, despite well meaning people trying to tell me it was a bad decision. They were wrong.
DeleteHeavenly. Beautiful. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is overflowing w/ these exquisite images.
you, my dear, are a prayer.
Xxxxxxx
Thinking of you from MN.
My Inner Chick: Thank you - I am so very glad you liked them.
DeleteAll of your photos are beautiful and tell a wonderful story of life in wilds of Antarctica.
ReplyDeleteI hoped and prayed that SP would recover quickly and painlessly this time around - You two remain in my prayers EC.
(Hugs n smiles:) across the miles.
Pam:): Thank you so much.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear that SP's recovery is not going well. Thinking of you both. Hoping, praying and wishing that everything will improve real soon.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, what an experience.
Sending love to you both x
bugerlugs63: How nice to see you are feeling up to playing in the blogosphere again. I have missed you - and thank you.
DeleteHi Sue,
ReplyDeleteI shall keep my comment mercifully short. During your ongoing worrying times, I understand how much a positive distraction, of sharing those incredible photos of your journey, your adventure, can mean. A pristine place that needs to be cherished. Not destroyed by the greed of humanity.
With hopeful thoughts,
Gary
klahanie: Hi Gary. Thank you so much. And I do hope that Antarctica can stay pure, pristine and beautiful. For us all, for our children, for our children's children.
DeleteWhat was the significance of the graves? Beautiful pictures. I should love to go. Although I doubt very much I shall swim, sans wetsuit or not. You and SP remain in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteLetting the Words Escape: Thank you. The graves were just that. Lonely and beautiful. Antarctica has teeth.
DeleteDenial isn't just a river - :) You made me smile as I fell right into it as I read.
ReplyDeleteAwesome re the Antactic post. That's just fantastic. 300 people!!! No, I didn't tiptoe quietly away. Your pics are magnificent. I love the blue in the ice. And the moulting penguin - I didn't know they moult.
An excellent post this one. What a magnificent trip.
wordsfallfrommyeyes: Thank you. It was indeed magnificent. The post before this one you might life too. I did think of you when I posted it.
DeleteA long slow smile keeps me warm
ReplyDeleteas I read this:)
What a fantastic way to invest your inheritance!
Those memories will keep you toasty
by the fire
for years to come,
Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson: It was something to hug to myself forever. And I am glad you enjoyed it too.
DeleteGlad you got to go. Peggy wants to as well, but, of course, it's a bit further from the North 45th.
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush: I flew to Argentina first - which is closer to you than to me. It is a long way - and worth it.
DeleteThese are stunning images of a unique part of the world. I will probably never ever see it (and that's okay), but your photos allow me a small glimpse into it.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: Thank you. I hope (selfishly) that it can stay as pristine as possible. Which could mean leaving it alone...
DeleteI hope the small one is better....yes I think you will always enjoy these memories even if old and dribbling:)
ReplyDeleteKim @ Stuff could...: Thank you. I hug these memories very tightly to myself.
DeleteBeautiful set of photographs! I really enjoy them all and Stormy Petrel photograph is one of my favorites :)
ReplyDeleteGreg Gard: Welcome and thank you. The Stormy Petrel settled down on the deck of the ship for a while (probably exhausted) and I was thrilled to be able to see it so closely.
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful! Money spent to reach a 'dream' is NOT money squandered!
ReplyDeletedaisyfae: That is pretty much what I have told, and will tell the well meaning people who question my decision. I really don't regret one cent of it. How could I?
DeleteI am so happy you were able to travel there – what an experience which, as you say, you will keep in your memory for ever. The photos are stunning – being there must have been like a dream, and it was your dream – I am pleased you are sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteVagabonde: Thank you. It is such a beautiful place. I don't think that dreams often exceed all expectations, but this one did.
DeleteLovely photos. I will enjoy coming back to catch up on your Antarctic story and gorgeous blooms from Canberra. I took my son for a family holiday to Canberra a few years back, and really loved our Capital city.
ReplyDeleteCarol in Cairns: Welcome and thank you. You are in the minority loving Canberra - but I do too. I will go and visit you in a bit.
Delete