The title of this post is not my idea.

It actually comes from a poem written by one of the other passengers, towards the end of the voyage, when she came up with a brilliant idea. The guests sang a tribute to Rodney and the crew, to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. Now that you know this, you will probably be subconsciously singing, “five zoooooooming zodiacs” all day long!

In any case, the zodiacs definitely deserve a separate mention, they figured so largely in our life on board.

We each developed individual relationships with them, as we got to know their little idiosyncrasies; how they behaved in different weather, and how to conquer their moods.

Of course the operators and other crew carried out the important responsibility of ‘handler’, keeping the boats under control, and teaching us to treat them with respect, caution and confidence.

I especially remember the firm hold one of the Russian crew members would have on the back strap of my life jacket, as I was about to step onto the side of the zodiac when the swell caused it to rise and fall, necessitating perfect timing for the last leap. And the same impeccable timing was required for stepping off the boat as well; we would grip each other’s hand and wrist, and I would be safely on the platform before I knew it (although sometimes accompanied by an inelegant face-plant into his chest!)

We would know in advance whether our landing was to be a dry one or a wet one. They were usually wet landings. This meant that, on reaching the shore, we would scramble up to the front of the zodiac, swing our legs around and over the side (with as much grace as we could muster, under the circumstances) and lower ourselves into the (hopefully shallow) water.

Occasionally there was a dry landing, directly onto fast ice at the shore’s edge.

Either way, there were always two people standing in the freezing water, ready to catch and hold the boat, so that the unloading could proceed as quickly as possible; particularly when there was a swell breaking on the shore.

Some zodiac memories will remain in my mind always:

• Waiting in line along the deck, looking over the side of the ship to watch as the passengers ahead of me clambered down and in
• Walking down the gangway in icy conditions
• Sitting safely in the zodiac and then wondering whether you really did turn your tag after all
• Penguins following us, ducking and diving all around the boat, and calling out to us and their mates

• The look on the face of a sea lion, when it popped up behind the zodiac in front, and then came face to face with the bow of our boat! Surprise on both sides!

• Our shortest zodiac journey – from midships to the bow, to get onto the ice.

• Rafting up for hot chocolate and a cookie

• Our last zodiac ride back to the ship, with a 35 knot breeze right on the bow. All back onboard safely, if somewhat wet!

There were so many exceptional moments…..

I miss all this!