Tonight Penguin Bravo are at 84degs12minsN 74degs9minsW, having covered 11 miles in their first two days on the ice. The temperature on the ice tonight is -29C.

Well done to the new relayers: Karen Bradburn, Catherine Clubb, Emma Scott and Rose Agnew. Just to emphasise the diversity of women that are participating on the expedition we should point out that Emma (a student in Plymouth) is aged 21 whereas Rose (a teacher from London) is aged 51. After a successful training period and a couple of days of uncertainty waiting for the right weather for changeover, Bravo seem well bonded as a team inspite of the span in age.

Penguin Alpha, full of the highs created by their successful period on the ice, left on Canadian Airlines tonight bound for home, proudly wearing their Vander/Carrington Performance Fabric expedition clothing. Getting back to normal will be difficult no doubt.

One tale that has not yet emerged onto this page is the extraordinary meeting between Penguin Alpha and the Kiwi/Japanese Polar Free Expedition on Saturday. The women were camped in their tent in the middle of the vast expanse of the frozen polar ice cap, when they heard the crunching of snow. The first thought was "polar bear". Much to the relief of the women it turned out to be the men from Polar Free. After a couple of hours of exchange of stories, Penguin Alpha were left to wait for their changeover.

One immediate reaction of everyone including Polar Free, on seeing the Penguin Alpha team at the end of their sixteen days was how incredibly well they looked; no sign of severe weather beating, frost nip or fatigue. This is a tribute to a number of factors: the training, the equipment, the guides, the women themselves and the skin creams used (as provided by one of the expedition sponsors: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula).

Finally Penguin Alpha gave their last thoughts about their experiences on theice just before leaving the base camp at Resolute Bay:

Ann Daniels

To have been a part of this expedition and truly experience the wonder of the Arctic, seeing the earth literally move before your eyes will live with me forever.

Jan McCormac

The opportunity of a life time has finally come through and was well worth the wait. Claire Fletcher Unique landscape, awesome experience and enjoyable.

Sue Fullilove Tough but rewarding, a privilege to see this amazing part of the world and be part of the team-work to The Pole. Sixty seven miles achieved - three hundred and fifty to go.

That's all for now.