Letter from Marion Island: Heave-ho, home we go

A King Penguin colony cover a beach on Marion Island PICTURE: Tiara Walters

Roving environment reporter Tiara Walters writes:

THE SA Agulhas, moored at Marion Island for much of last week for the launch of the South African National Antarctic Programme’s R200-million research base, finally lifted anchor on Saturday and set her course for Cape Town. Read More…

Letter from Marion Island: Where’s a micepick when you need one?

Members of the Second Marion Expedition about to voyage south with three kittens whose task would be to sort out the mouse problem on the island PICTURE: WML Strydom

Roving environment reporter Tiara Walters writes:

“SHHH,” Pierre, the radio comms officer for the South African National Antarctic Programme’s new research base at Marion Island, hissed as I moseyed into the kitchen last Thursday to knock together a late-night snack. Read More…

Letter from Marion Island: Homebase

Wandering albatrosses get on with their mating dance PICTURE: Tiara Walters

Roving environment reporter Tiara Walters writes:

IT felt unreal to make landfall at Marion Island last Wednesday. Read More…

Letter from Marion Island: In the country of awe

A rainbow arcs over the old base on Marion Island PICTURE: SJ Van der Merwe

Roving environment reporter Tiara Walters reports from Marion Island:

If the word “awful” originates from something that fills you with awe, rather than dread, then that’s what Marion would be. Read More…

Letter from Marion Island: A place for strong ships and albatrosses

The South African research vessel SA Agulhas steaming through heavy seas and under leaden skies in the Southern Ocean. PICTURE: Tiara Walters

Roving environment reporter Tiara Walters writes from aboard the SA Agulhas in the Southern Ocean:

* Stats at 11am, March 16

Air temperature: 7.7°C

Position of SA Agulhas: 46°S 37°E

Distance to Marion Island: 0km

Although it should be, this will not be a blog about wandering albatrosses. They could quite possibly be the most arresting things I’ve seen and I’ve spent hours staring at them since we’ve entered their world on the high seas. Read More…

Letter from Marion Island: Rolling along on a big green sea

A Wandering Albatross gliding over the swell in the Southern Ocean PICTURE: Tiara Walters

Tiara Walters writes from aboard the SA Agulhas:

* Stats at 11.30am, March 15

Air temperature: 9.6°C

Position of SA Agulhas: 45°S 35°E

Distance to Marion Island (46°S 37°E): 280km

We are nearly there! Read More…

Letter from Marion: Into the deepest south

The SA Agulhas leaves Cape Town on a mission to the frozen south. PICTURE: Ian Shiffman

Roving environment reporter Tiara Walters is aboard the resupply vessel SA Agulhas, presently making for Marion Island, a few thousand kilometres southeast of Cape Town. Tiara’s blogposts will be appearing here, on The Wanderer, for the next few weeks.

Stats at 9.45am, March 11

Air temperature – 20.4°C

Position of SA Agulhas – 36°S 20°E

Distance to Marion Island (46°S 37°E) – 1850km

I told the plumber that I was about to depart for Marion Island (by way of explaining the urgency of fixing the leaking cistern in my flat.

“Fully,” he replied, looking genuinely intrigued. Read More…