We left Mar del Plata on Wednesday, February 22nd, with a full tank of diesel in anticipation of dropping temperatures during our coming weeks in Patagonia and the stove that will soon be purring…
The sail to Puerto Madryn, accompanied by our new crew member Stéphanie, was quite peaceful—running downwind at 20 knots for two days, then beating upwind at 20 knots for just under 24 hours, and finally about ten hours under engine in Golfo Nuevo. Here we are now in the Roaring Forties, marked by the company of our first albatrosses and the opening of our second surprise box—thanks, Friends! It always brings us so much joy, and we can’t wait to reach the Fifties to open the next one.
Arriving at the entrance of Golfo Nuevo late Saturday night, we took advantage of the 3-knot tidal current at the mouth to reach Puerto Madryn. We anchored Sunday morning, escorted by dolphins under lightning flashes in front of Centro Nautico Atlantico Sud. As the gateway to the Valdes Peninsula, the town is primarily known for its abundant wildlife. Southern right whales take center stage here from June to December…
Not quite the right time for us since these mammals are currently in Antarctica, so we’ll see them next year! Stéphanie left us at this stop, and Mathilde, a friend from Rennes, joined us for a few days.
The temperatures are exceptionally mild for this late summer, and we enjoyed the beach like many Argentinians since it was a two-day holiday for Carnival.
We met Fernando and Nelsis, who invited us for a hearty afternoon tea at their lovely home. Connected through a mutual Breton friend, their welcome was very warm! Fernando, a geographer, studied partly in Brest and speaks excellent French. It was fascinating to discuss Patagonia and Argentina with well-informed locals. Plus, the girls were thrilled to play in the garden and especially to enjoy the delicious cakes prepared by Nelsis. The weather is starting to get trickier with a front passing through bringing strong SW winds every 4-5 days, and we’ll need to time our southward journey carefully. There might be a window on Friday to head south—we’ll keep a close eye on it!
On deck in Golfo Nuevo Reflection, Stéphanie and Nina Cooking at sea with family Mar del Plata, the day before departure Games Seaside stroll, Puerto Madryn In front of the Puerto Madryn anchorage Crew at the restaurant!
In honor of the 1982 fighters Swinging In Fernando and Nelsis’ garden Nelsis and the girls The prefectura, quite a story…
Mathilde and Nina at sunset
