Good Morning,

We are sailing to the east along the south shore of  Lancaster Sound with a fair breeze from the west. Its a sunny morning and we are headed for Pond Inlet to resupply Catryn for our sail down the coast of Labrador to St Johns, Newfoundland.

It was a difficult decision to not get through this year as Phil has mentioned. Mother nature was stacking up against us, the ice blockage on the west side of the Bellot Strait into Larsen Sound and the early refreeze this year. The sail up the coast of Alaska through the Beaufort Sea into the shallow waters of the Chukchi Sea in late September would be formidable one  when the autumnal winds would start to pick up.

Dai made the decision and it was discussed at length with all crew members at dinner time on Saturday evening. We all agree it was the right thing to do. There was disappointment all around at first, but we have all learnt a great deal about this high Arctic area, met some amazing characters and have had a really good time of it all. It looks like we are headed for St John, Newfoundland where Catryn will winter. Dai has mentioned he needs to do a few updates on Catryn whilst she is in St Johns before next years attempt.

All aboard are doing well and looking forward to the sail down the coast of Labrador and the amenities that will be available in St Johns that are not present aboard!

During our time in Port Leopold we were able to do some extensive hiking up in the mountains and walking along the shore. We saw Musk Ox from afar and one day I visited some brackish inland lakes that had Red Throated Loons nesting along with Brant Geese, an Arctic Chua, Black Legged Kittiwakes and one solitary Ivory Gull.

Pob hwyl, Hywel