23/3/08 15:00
We woke to another foggy morning. Only raining
lightly. It looked like some over
keen stage hand had gone mad with the dry ice machine. On the way in yesterday we passed through
several Dolphin Check Points and each time a team would arrive to inspect
us. On the way out they repeated
the process. I’m sure they’re all
working for the Chilean Armada. We went by a group of seals leaping up out of
the water in great excitement, although I’m not sure why. The charts continue to be several miles
out, thank god for the radar.
As the day progresses the low clouds grudgingly
dissipate and we even get bits of sunshine. Still no wind.
19:00
In the end it's glorious sunny afternoon and we
press on 77 miles to Isla Zealous.
The anchorage entrance is just a few meters wide
and soon opens up into a tiny beautiful land locked lake. We are tucked up in the NW corner. The Italians say Puerto Inti-Illimani
definitely deserves a stop and they are absolutely correct. It is truly beautiful even though this
time there was no Dolphin Honour Guard to see us in.
Apparently the “Inti-Illimati are the most famous
Chilean ethnic band, appreciated all over the world for its high-level
discography and commitment.” I’ll have to find a CD.
The half way mark came and went without
my noticing. We are now only 636
miles from Valdivia. Tomorrow we will do an overnighter to
cross the Golfo de Penas, about 200 miles, to the next stop. The Sou Chef is cooking chicken
tonight.
The attached pictures follow the day’s climate
change.
