6/2/08

Sorry just noticed yesterday’s date was wrong.

Okay we now have permits coming out of our ears.  The Chileans have given us their permit which requires us to give them our position twice a day.  The Foreign Office has just e-mailed me 19 pages of documentation with a note saying: “Many thanks for your comprehensive answers to my queries. We are satisfied that your expedition / vessel meets our published requirements. I attach electronic versions of your permits together with an accompanying letter. I hope your visit is both challenging and enjoyable.” I’m sure it was the last minute Emergency Contingency Plan that swung it.  So the plan is to leave Porto Williams after dinner tonight, and arrive at Cape Horn tomorrow morning and weather permitting to actually set foot on the Cape itself.  We have to do it is two shifts so as to always have a crew on board. Then depending on final advice from or Weather Router we will either carry on or anchor nearby for the night and leave the next morning.

Unfortunately the internet connection is about to be limited to Iridium (2400 Baud) so it won’t really be possible to send pictures until we get back to Ushuaia. Mean while here’s a few quick snaps of Puerto Williams which is definitely the most Southern town in the world.  There are even two internet cafes.  I went to the first one this morning which promised Cappuccino as well as a connection.  Unfortunately they had no milk and the connection died after 2 minutes.  The other café was out of action also. I wasn’t really surprised.