Après une nouvelle After another week spent in Stanley, we finally retrieve our belongings, which arrived two months late. We immediately set off for the West Islands. The predicted northerly wind is weaker than expected, so we motor the last 80 miles to Dunbar Farm, accompanied by a ballet of Commerson's dolphins. Hugues and Marie Paule, whom we had met last year, warmly welcome us. We stay for two days, then anchor at West Point Island a few miles further west to observe colonies of albatrosses and rockhopper penguins on a beautiful spring day.
Nous levons l'We weigh anchor at dawn with a following wind, heading for Beaver Island, the Poncet family's island, which we reach by mid-morning. We had also stopped there in 2017, but this year Jérôme is absent, and we meet two of his sons, Dion and Leiv. The start of the week is spent shearing the island's 400 sheep while Nina and Diane melt over the freshly hatched gentoo chicks during our walks ashore. On Saturday, December 9th, the weather window allows us to leave the Falklands and return to Puerto Williams, arriving 50 hours later. A 36-hour beat into 25-30 knots of wind, but now the crew is well-seasoned compared to early October. Plus, temperatures have risen significantly, and with summer approaching, the nights are becoming very short!
Nous y attendons noWe wait there for our Chilean visa extension and take the opportunity to see friends—even Santa Claus, who visited the children at the sailing school yesterday!
Nous devrions partiWe should leave early next week for a 3-month journey up the Chilean channels! Happy holidays to all!
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