Author: Justine

Day 28, Day 3 from Punta Arenas – Friday 17 February

7.28am: We have woken up to a rainy morning and there is a headwind due to blow all day. We have decided to get on the water and see how we get on, as we can’t tell how windy it is from here.

4.15pm: 54.07.63 W71.00.3. A grey, misty morning with the predicted headwind turned into a brighter, mostly calm day. The mist rose revealing peaks and glaciers. We saw seals jumping out of the water and a humpback whale really close. We are in a narrow bay, Puerto Hope! It was hard to find a campsite so we are hoping that the tide doesn’t come up above the tent!

Day 27, Day 2 from Punta Arenas – Thursday 16 Februrary.

6.45am: The nights are getting colder! The wind dropped totally in the night and we shall be on the water about 8.00am.

7.36pm, 3.53.54 W70.54.42 : A long day today with an unforecast south easterly wind blowing for the six mile crossing to Isla Dawson and then a strong headwind making us work hard. The plus side was gorgeous mountains and loads of penguins and albatros along the way. We headed for a campsite that had been recommended to us but it was too windy for us to reach it. We are camped next to a decrepid old house frame. Feeing tired but with a good fire going!

Day 26 – Wednesday 15 February
(First day of resumed paddling)

8.24am: We are getting on the water at Punta Arenas. It is a beautiful, calm, sunny day so far!

6.16pm: We paddled by the road for about 20 miles to position S53.29.66 70.57.66 with the breeze behind us for most of the day. We passed a few houses and saw lots of dolphins. After our sunny start, the day got colder and, after a bit of a hunt, we were pleased to find a grassy spot to pitch our tent, with a hedge between us and the road and a stone’s throw from the sea. Warm and cosy inside now.

We´ve had a longer break from paddling than anticipated, due to the logistics of getting from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas (we needed to wait for a weekend as Marcelo and Moni were kindly driving us to the ferry), then we couldnt arrange a kit inspection until Monday. By the time we passed the inspection, it was too late to give us the written permission (zarpe) that we need before we can leave… but we have the precious piece of paper in our hands now and we are free to start paddling . At least we can start paddling if the wind drops enough that the Armada lift the ban on small craft leaving the port. The forecast is good for tomorrow morning so we are hopeful of being on the water by about 9.30pm and heading south down the coast.

We´ve had a fun few days with Kiko, Vero and their son Vincente including an amazing asado (a bbq like none Ive ever seen in the Uk with 2 whole chickens, and huge slabs of beef and pork being grilled above the flames). YUM! we´ve bought food for 3 weeks and hope to take our time to get back to Ushuaia. We may have to fight the urge to continue surfing waves if we get some good following seas on the long home stretch down the Beagle channel. Until we reach that we will be heading south and then east into the winds. I´m excited to get back on the water!

Sorry there is only 1 photo. I am having problems uploading any.