We are presently sailing north from Arctic Bay to Graham Harbour and soon will be crossing over Lancaster Sound.The weather forecast this morning was favourable and our good Captain Dai decided to make the move. Presently it is 20.00 and we are almost abreast of Cape Crauford on the north east corner of Baffin Island  off our port beam. There is a line of ice on our port side and we are hoping things will improve as we enter Lancaster Sound. I just went up to the bridge  to check with the helmsperson and visibility is improving and the sun is trying to make an appearance.

Today was my off day which turns up every five days and I am off watch and make meals and clean up. We just finished supper starters were latkes followed by fish stew,and a box of Chips Ahoy real chocolate biscuits, followed by another cup of tea!

All is well on the good ship Catryn this evening and everyone seems to be in excellent spirits considering the challenges the ice is presenting to us. We left our anchorage at Arctic Bay at around 9.00 hrs this morning and hope to arrive at Graham Harbour at around 09.00  tomorrow morning.Since I am not on watch this evening and everyone is busy sleeping or spotting ice I wanted to share with you some words from the writings of George Beste in his introduction to the voyages of Martin Frobisher. Frobisher was born in 1540 during the Elizabethan era in Yorkshire,England. He was from a Welsh ancestry and headed out to sea as a cabin boy at the age of fourteen. After Giovani Carbotti (John Cabot) was lost at sea seeking a passage to Cathay Frobisher was intent on finding a route to the west.

“How dangerous it is to attempt new discoveries; either for the length of the voyage, or the ignorance of the language, the want of interpreters, new and unaccustomed elements and airs,strange and unsavoury meats, danger of thieves and robbers, fierceness of wild beasts and fishes, hugeness of woods, dangerousness of seas, dread of tempests, fear of hidden rocks, steepness of mountains, darkness of sudden falling fogs, continual pains-taking without rest, and infinite others.

How pleasant and profitable it is to attempt new discoveries; either for the sundry sights and shapes of strange beasts and fishes, and the wonderful works of nature, the different manners and fashions of diverse nations, the sundry sorts of government, the sight of strange trees, fruits, fowls,  and beasts, the infinite treasure of pearl, gold, and silver, the news of new found lands, and many others.

George Beste 1578.

We are now in Lancaster Sound and heading northish dodging bergs as we make our way to Graham Harbour.

Nos da, and good night to you all!

Hywel.