The end of a season

The legendary Cape Churchill trip came to a close as we cruised directly into town after a 7 hour journey across the tundra.  It seemed, looked and felt rather dramatic as our buggy pulled up alongside the Tundra Inn, dwarfing any vehicle that passed and human that waundered by. Even the two story buildings seemed rather small as our buggy parallel parked, ready to disembark guests and luggage.

A festive dinner was had at the world famous gypsy's. By now everyone had indulged in a long hot shower and appreciated the porcelin flush toilets, some of the luxuries that are missed when expeditioning at the Cape.

Polar bear season was well and truely over and it showed as the stores were empty and the vacant streets told us that winter had quickly drifted upon us.

The last charter flight departed at 11.00am and myself, Dean and my group was all on it. A final comfortable night at the Four Points Sheraton brought us all together again as we joined again for our final supper.

A few people shared their favourite moments and what seemed common was the joy of experiencing the forever changing weather and scenes of the arctic which was the most perfect and photogenic backdrop to the magnificent polar bear. 

The wild-ness of Cape Churchill, the 5 days of blue sky and sunshine, our 7 staunch, scarred males that gathered beside our buggies, the vulnerable mum with her two skinny cubs we hope will survive and the  faces from all over the globe that we came to know as friends, will remain in someway with each of us. 

Usually my farewell to Churchill is bitter sweet, sweet because it's getting really chilly and bitter to say goodbye to friendly locals I see so little of, but this time with a summer guiding contract established, I shall return in June. How exciting!

  As the ice forms along the shores of the Hudson Bay the town of Churchill will soon be free of town-wandering Polar Bears, but not just yet. Although we are at the end of November and by this time the ice should be formed enough for bears to begin their journey, out on the ice to hunt their long awaited ring seal. But alas, open water is still seen from on shore and bears are still being sighted near town. Fingers crossed that there is a sudden drop of temperature, enough for fast ice to form and cling to shore and sea ice to attach to that.  Please - for the bears sake, let the temperatures drop and the ice to form.