Our journey south

18–24 January 2024

After mobilisation, the PICCOLO team ventured south, encountering stunning wildlife, otherworldly views and, of course, some bad weather.

From Prof Karen Heywood, PICCOLO Principal Investigator (21 January):

We’ve now left the Falkland Islands where the ship refuelled, and we’re heading south across Drake Passage – next stop Antartica! Drake Passage is notorious for its strong winds and big waves, and the last day has been pretty bumpy.

You know the weather is bad when:

• There are suddenly very few people at breakfast

• Your cabin looks like a bomb hit it, if you forget to put everything away

• You can’t walk in a straight line

• Your shower curtain flies out and attaches to you

• There is a sticky mat on the tables at lunchtime for you to put your plates and glasses on

• The chairs have bungee cord around them

• The fridge door is bolted shut

Tomorrow we do some science dry-runs to make sure all the equipment we brought is working properly.

Read more about the journey through Drake Passage here.