Today was yet another day of the team collecting data on the boat in Kilchoan. It was foggy throughout the day, with a general mizzle (aka a misty drizzle) taking hold. Lois made the team beans and scrambled eggs for breakfast before they headed out on the boat. Before Lois, Kerry, and Mike actually set out however, they helped Marnik and Gabe haul up some of the oyster crates. But, once they were out on the water, they got into the rhythm of dropping and hauling the camera through the water, getting the data they needed. As they went, they saw hundreds of Moon Jellyfish. They were floating around in the water looking very serene.
Mizzle in the morning
The team headed back to the house to eat lunch and charge up the camera and lights in time for the session on the boat in the afternoon. When they reached the house, they found Jennifer baking cinnamon and apple scones! The kitchen was warm and smelt delicious.
Scones, left to right: Before baking, Lewis posing with the mix, after baking
After lunch, Dylan, Lois, and Jennifer headed back out on the boat to continue doing camera drops and Marnik introduced them to a whole host of marine life. The saw a langoustine, a scorpion fish, and some starfish! A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon on the boat by all accounts. Once they had looked at all of the creatures, they were released back into the water where they belong.
Left to right: Lois with a langoustine, a scorpion fish, Dylan and Jennifer with starfish
"It [holding the starfish] was really cool and it had little blue markings on it!" - Jennifer
While the rest of the team were on the boat, Lewis began to analyse his samples under the microscope while Mike and Kerry set to work on their laptops, sorting out the data that had already been collected. Mike went for a swim in the late afternoon, and Jennifer went once she was back from collecting data. While Mike was swimming, he found a massive sea urchin shell which he brought back to show the team. They warmed up with fresh baking to tie themselves over before dinner, which was a pea and green bean risotto made by Lois and Kerry.
Jennifer getting ready to swim
Although the team had an enjoyable day, and evening, there were a few technical difficulties that were more difficult to sort out than we would have liked. The anthem for the day (and a lot of the trip) was Break My Stride, Matthew Wilder which really sums up the team's attitude as what felt like everything, went wrong. But not to worry, we sorted out what could be sorted out and made (relative) peace with what couldn't be.
Best from a slightly tired but otherwise positive,
Seaweed Team
Finally, we would like to give a massive (and public) shout out to Dylan! Although Dylan's official role within the team is treasurer, he is also our unofficial technological adviser. Dylan's help with uploading Lois's photos and generally sorting out everything technological on the expedition has been invaluable. So yay Dylan! You're amazing!!!
Dylan holding a starfish like a boss
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