Yeehah! Or should I say Yabba Dabba Do? I slept all night! We started the day by giving Si a grade 3 haircut on the pontoon then running late because the clippers kept clogging we raced round to the breakwater to catch a helicopter rescue display. They then did a demonstration of emergency flares. While things were still fresh in my mind we opened up our flare box and went through the instructions on the different types. I then revised the helicopter rescue procedure in the safety manual before rushing over to the Club Maritimo Varadero for a life-raft demo in the swimming pool. When I did my sea survival course it was very difficult to get into the life-raft with my short arms so I was glad of an opportunity to have another go. Being introduced to the huge crowd who then watched your attempts was not for me though so I remained dry.

   Si came with me for the last big shop where as predicted an assortment of sweetie treats for the trip and Christmas fell into the trolley. We loaded chilled food and delicate things into the bike bags and arranged to have the rest delivered tomorrow afternoon. Where we shall put it all I don’t know: The boat is sitting very low in the water and cupboard space is minimal now. I was very stressed when we returned. We race from one task, lecture or event to the next and everyone is saying they will be glad when we leave so we can rest. We had only twenty minutes to get the chilled things in the fridge and change for the Hallberg Rassy party.

   We had a lovely evening chatting to our friends on similar sized boats and meeting others from the larger ones while free drinks and a buffet were laid on. The only venue they could get was the Club Valadero in the marina where they had to make us all temporary members for a week. This will also allow us to use the swimming pool if we have time but more importantly the internet. We took our laptops along and after the party sat in the bar tapping away. Although very slow I was able to send a few emails before the lights went out and we were asked to leave.