We made a very special stop at Signy Research Station, South Orkney. Only a couple of ships visit the base each season, and we might have been the only visitor during the 2008-2009 season. Signy used to be the premier British research station in the Antarctic, but I believe that honor now falls to Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic peninsula. Eight researchers work at the station, and Matt, the station commander, came onboard our ship to give a brief presentation on their work and life at the station.

We visited the station in two groups. Once on the island, the group split up, one half going inside the station and the other half taking a small hike around the island. There was blowing snow, almost horizontal at times. Most of the elephant seals have left except for one, who was hanging out near a heating unit.

Inside, we were able to see some of the research that was going on, as well as ask questions of the researchers. We saw springtail worms under a microscope. These apparently are invasive, and live in the moss; when you shake a clump of moss, the worms come out!

Six of the researchers joined us aboard the Ocean Nova for lunch.