And it’s turned Tom hairless!   Yes folks it’s finally happened.  The hair has gone the way of all good locks – in the hands of a Spanish hairdresser.  With apologies to ZAK in the UK, we have now both got ourselves a little shorn for the trip.   Well, we had to be respectable for the first party of the season!   Yesterday, we had rigging check and safety checked with little bits to do for both.  Today we are having our canvas awning re-sized for the boat, with hopefully enough over to make a wedding present cover for the  trip across.    Now that the Arc is really underway, there’s a small rise in crime and felony around the pontoons, so we have to be quite rigorous about what and when we leave things open and unattended, the infractions range from bikes being stolen from walkways, to one “well-dressed Englishman, telling boat owners that he’s has his credit cards stolen and can’t pay the mooring fees (needed before you get a berth), so could he borrow some cash” – seemingly this bright guy conned about four boats on day one of the ARC office being open!  

It’s not all bad, though, with the friendly, helpful atmosphere on the pontoons getting stuff sorted well and in good spirit.   For those who are looking at the ARC site, we have completed our profile – honestly, but think they work at their own speed.   What do you all think about the new style of our blog site?   Mailasail are very proud of it and it’s a very good supplement to what the ARC do over the period of our travel across.  Means that it is a constant update of our progress, so will give you all a chance to try your seamanship charting skills!

We are due to catch up with Yvonne and Keith today – they ran our first aid and sea survival courses in the UK and got us our safety equipment.  Here for a holiday, plus catching up with some friends, they have promised us a visit to a local restaurant they recommend.  It’s Argentinean and the portions are HUGE!