The Northern Lights above the Esperanza © Will Rose / Greenpeace
We had a fairly quiet weekend on board the Esperanza - especially compared to the "all systems go" mode we were in last week during the action. Yesterday Babu, our wonderful cook, had a well deserved day off and some of us volunteered to prepare brunch and dinner in the galley for the rest of the crew.
Brunch was served at 12 and we were treated to a feast of scrambled eggs, fried green tomatoes, baked beans, sauted potatoes and piping hot mushrooms. This was all made by Jon and Leila, our two climate campaigners, and Will - our photographer - who was rewarded for his efforts with a bloody head. Poor Will banged and cut his head on the extractor fan over the stove.
You might expect our photographer to get 'wounded in action' but we all take many safety precautions and prepare for our actions so well that we're more likely to fall over a shoe while trying to get into our bunk bed or walk into the extractor fan in the galley while cooking eggs. That's my observation at least. I have a colourful collection of bruises from losing my balance every time I am in the shower and red fingers after burning my hand while trying to make a cup of tea.
For dinner, I helped Leila and Luke cook. Leila made a giant pasta bake, Luke made garlic bread and I made salads while we listened to music. Every time I help out in the galley I always walk away with even more respect for our cook than I had before. It is a humbling experience when you realise how difficult it is to cook for 35 people and deliver everything on time - without slicing off your fingers in the final five minute rush.
We have been heading south this weekend and crossed back over the Arctic Circle yesterday. Last night - after a beautifully sunny day we saw the sunset for the first time in what feels like an eternity. We were stuck in fog and overcast conditions at Cairn Energy's drill sites and almost forgot what sunshine looked and felt like. There's nothing better than sunshine to recharge your batteries - and I mean that both literally and figuratively!
At around 10pm we were finally able to see the northern lights dancing in the sky above us. I always expected them to be low on the horizon and reaching upwards from there but they went all the way across the sky - right over the ship. We watched them just like you would watch a firework display. Pointing with "ooh!" and "ahh!" and "WOW!" as the green streaks of misty light swirled around above our heads.
I saw a shooting star fall right across the Aurora and quickly snatched the opportunity to make a simple wish for our future. You can probably guess what it is but of course I can't tell you.
-- Lisa
