Day 4: Set sail

Alan here Sunday 5pm: Location Beagle Channel Lat 54.54s long 67.18w (stick
it in Google Earth to see where that is)

Chris and I finally had a chance to meet some of the team last night over an
Argentina steak and some beers in downtown Ushuaia (pronounced more like
Sshwia). The group seem much more relaxed and fun oriented than I had
imagined before we left home. All the leg pulling and self deprecation from
the Kiwis and Ozzies, evidence of their UK ancestry. So my humour fitted in
really well. Not too many beers were needed for Chris and I to pass out
almost immediately our heads hit the pillow. A great night's sleep, at last.

This morning we loaded up a mini bus with our "cabin" gear and headed down
to the harbour for boarding Evohe, which at 82 feet long was easily the
largest yacht in the harbour, though set against the backdrop of several
huge cruise ships, it seemed less impressive. We set up an army-style chain
of folk to load the bags, which meant I was last in the boat to check out
our cabin. I was horrified to see the small space that Chris and I would be
sharing with two other guys. It was two double bunks set at ninety degrees
but joined at the foot, all in a room about 2.5m by 2.5m. It had a small
chest of drawers with 8 drawers, a couple of hooks and two portholes. All
over the floor and in the bunks was gear and even more gear. You could not
even get into the room it was so full... and this was going to be home for
the next month. Being a bit precious about my stuff and my space I nearly
flipped. However, once we moved out some 12 pairs of wellies and 3 cases of
wine then individually packed things away, the space became tolerable. It
remains to be seen what it will be like to sleep in such a small space with
3 other guys.

While everyone was stowing their gear, the Argentinean authorities worked
though the various official documents for us to leave. So about 11:30 the
engine powered up and we headed out of Ushuaia and into the Beagle Channel,
first discovered by Captain Cook. On south side of the 4 mile wide channel
is Chile and on the North Argentina. There is gentle, tree covered hills set
against much steeper and occasionally glaciated peaks of Tierra Del Fuego.
As I type we have been motoring in the sun for about 6 hours and have just
spotted our first Albatross. Eyes peeled for penguins but no luck yet.

By about 9pm we should have cleared the last of the land and handful of
small islands that mark the end of the Beagle channel and head directly
south, next stop Antarctica. No land marks on the way, just the ancient and
dramatic sailors terms, the Furious Fifties, and the Screaming Sixties. We
are a very happy ship so far, in the flat water of the channel, with the sun
over the yard arm and a good lunch inside us. Who knows how it will turnout
when we hit the Southern Ocean for real. That will have to wait until
tomorrow's log. The forecast is good so far...