The Countdown continues

19:48 on Monday the 30th October, 2006

Hi All,

My goodness, when I read your blogs, I get such a lot of goose pimples because of the way you write, it unbelievable! I think you are all transmitting an amazing sense of excitement. I had never in my life imagined how we, through a blog medium, could affect each other so. The happy tension before leaving is rising and rising, hope it won’t explode!

Pat, I’ve seen your blog entry of this morning, not only about tensions rising but also thanking Geraldine and Niall for their untiring support and help, and I also would also like to say a huge thanks to all at the Expedition Office as I think you are doing a fantastic job, and you are always cool and collected no matter what trivial question comes your way. By the way, whoever thought up of putting the date and time insertions for our most recent blogs, deserves praise as it makes it easier to follow the latest entries.

Whilst all you will be leaving on Sunday or Monday next (except for Ger who left Alaska today) Rosemarie and I have only 3 days to go and today was my day to get the last bits and pieces sorted out. I think I am there now, and Achim you are my star in the background helping and assisting me to no end and being very patient, caring and supportive. Ich danke Dir.

Got an email from a German acquaintance last night, he is a marine biologist and has been down in Antartica on the Polarstern (the German polar research ship otherwise known as a large-scale floating laboratory) for about 2,5 months doing research work and he told me that the weather had been great, lowest temperatures –22°C and that they had found two new species in the ice. Imagine it, I wrote back, two new species, how many more are there down there still waiting to be discovered. I saw on the

Like you Jerry, my friends have started to say their goodbyes by phone, post, and e-mails, and to them I say, you have no idea what it means, Gracias, Danke, Merci, and Thanks.

Here’s to the infinite number of moments until I depart.

Take care, and have fun packing!

Patricia

Google shows I'm still in Germany.........