11.09.2023 Monday getting ready to say goodbye, very sad.

 Today we got our cases packed. We donated some thermals and our walking boots. These go to various settlements that the Hurtigruten Foundation support. We handed them in at the Expedition Desk. Also we had to hand in our Rubber Boots and the 'Artic Foxes' patch. These are all cleaned and got ready for the next cruise. Our lovely Red waterproof coats are for us to keep. There are various events today. At 14.00 there was a showing of the underwater Drone footage that had been taken at various places on the voyage. We went to the Quiz at 17.00 in the Explorer Lounge and we scored 24/40. Then at 21.00 there was the Captains farewell in the Explorer Lounge. More Champagne and Speeches and a lovely slide show of photographs the ships resident photographer had taken. We learnt that in 8-10 weeks we will all receive an email with a link to  download this slide show. Am Looking forward to it. We sang one last Sea Shanty. Back to our Suite to put our suitcases in the corridor and just kept the things we will need for tomorrow. Our cases were taken down to Deck 4 were we will disembark from. We also gave Ricky a gratuity.

In the morning we had a bit of a job convincing Brendan the Bird expert that we had seen Black Darter Dragonflies in Corner Brook, but eventually he agreed with us that is what we had seen. Also according to his computer information they are in the British Isles. I think they must be found mainly in the north of the UK. Brendan had also been holding a Journal Club while on board and they had been writing some quite serious poetry. Missus isn't in to serious poetry so didn't join. Brendan's poetry is quite intense! Missus however had been writing Limericks, she was inspired to I think by Brendan's seriousness. Missus had been listening to Brendan reading poetry one evening, and she mentioned limericks to a couple of Australians from Sydney. She recited her limerick about a Muuli (type of veg) getting blown away. They said that they get a wind in Sydney called 'Southern Duster' That inspired Missus to write a limerick about it. So on an open mike night in the explorer lounge, we went along and Missus and Master performed their Limericks. Not quite the thing that is usually performed but Melania from the Expedition team and some of the others did enjoy them. So Missus made up a limerick  and called it 'The Last Limerick and Thankyou' . Also I should add the Australian couple enjoyed their 'Southern Duster' Limerick. Missus managed to find Melania in the morning and gave her the limerick, she liked it and was going to read it to the others in a meeting later on.

The Last Muuli

On the Scottish market stall lay the last Muuli,

When the Wind Started Blowing a Hooly,

It was blown clean away,

To the stall holders dismay,

Now its being served up in Kalgoorlie!

The Southern Duster

Today I'm all of a fluster,

I've an Aunt flying in from Custer,

I've cleaned all the floors,

Opened windows and doors,

And in blew a Southern Duster!

For Brendan

The Lapland Long spur is similar to a Lark,

But it can fly faster than a multiplying Quark,

Its claim is very bold

It can fly Pole to Pole so I'm told

And still get home before dark!

The Last Limerick and Thankyou

Thankyou to our Expedition team, Scientists, Ships Crew and Fred,

Who filled us with Knowlegde, Adventure and our Daily Bread,

One day we may meet again,

But for now Auf Wiedersehen,

And thank you for a comfy bed!