eve, and we’d not thought about it much, but there are odd coincidences happen
here. Author Terry Pratchet said “Million to one chances happen nine times out
of ten” and in magical lands such as this, that has been happening to us.
bench tables watching an enchanting encounter between twin Dutch boys, about 7
or 8 years old, and a slightly younger Chilean girl.They played together as
though they had known each other forever, and the girls mum, sitting next to us
shared some of her pizza with Sophie, the two chatting away happily.
owner of a restaurant about three doors away and that they were putting on a
special menu for Christmas dinner, and we might consider having our celebration
there.
and amazing. Wonderful,
recommended. Broccolinos, if you get
this far south, recommended!
From left to right, Denny, me, David Nichols our film maker, Howard, one of the few shots we’ve got of him without his hat on, and Sophie our helper and translator at Broccolinos, where the chef does his best “grumpy chef” impersonation. He told us that he’s “practicing his cooking”. It was a superb meal.
A couple of days ago Denny and Sophia took the day off and
went off on a tour of the “penguino” colony on Magdalena Island out in the
straights, the walkways are roped to keep the sightseeers from disturbing the
birds too much but the penguins seem totally unfazed by the people walking
along. Some have made nesting burrows
right on the edge of the path, and at this time of the year had fluffy chicks
almost as big as their mums and dads.
Our ladies were amazed and intrigued,
that’s a trip that’s well worth the effort and modest cost.
It was a busy day yesterday though, some of the team were
delivered to the airport for the beginning of their long journey home , that
was Denny and Dave on the morning trip, and Sophia heading back to family in
Santiago on the evening run. We’re missing Dennys big smile and laughter, Daves
quiet presence with the video camera, and Sophia translating when we have to
negotiate in Spanish.
Adios amigos for now.
In between the two trips Howard and I got the replacement
mizzen mast glued up using the floor of the crate as a workbench, we’ll have
access to the crate again at 9 this morning and will be loading the glued up
hollow spar along the side of the car ( rental cars can do anything!) and heading off to the Nao Victoria museum where
the Magellan ship and the Beagle replicas are. There is a small workshop there
where, in the shadow of the two big historical ship replicas we can make as much noise and mess with the power plane as we need to.
here later today, it shouldn’t take long to get the last few bits glued on and
( fingers crossed that there aren’t any distractions) we’ll be putting the first
coat of varnish on tomorrow am.
never does get properly dark here at this
time of year, its tempting to stay up late as its broad daylight at 10 pm, and
the sun is way up in the sky by 5 am so its hard to get enough sleep.
respect as we’ve bedrooms that don’t have big windows letting the early dawn in
to disturb us.
here, dreaming of the sea so close. I’m
sure she can smell it we can see the Straights from the gate into where she
sits.
hatch covers had to be relieved to allow for the thicker gasket material (
thanks Keith Nasman for that, very much appreciated), there are some holes to
fill where there have been some fittings moved, then its close to time to load.
far one day in five was a day on which it would be possible to sail all day,
two more when its ok to sail early in the morning and late in the evening and
two days when days when hiding in a sheltered spot and reading a book would be
the best alternative.
long evenings, and some light even at midnight making miles while the wind is
down would be a good bet.
for the morning cup of tea but Dennys in Santiago, will be on the 13 ½ hour
flight to Auckland this evening. Ah
well, a second cup wont hurt.
