New Batteries

Before we leave for Argentina and beyond we have some projects to do.

With help from James Burwick of Anasazi Ltda., we were able to purchase 3 Toyama AGM batteries, 200 amp hours each, from Joachin at Imre in the duty free zone of Punta Arenas. The batteries were delivered to the same ferry we rode to Puerto Williams.

On Nov. 5, James and his friend Sam helped schlep the batteries from the Micalvi, over Anasazi Girl then onto Windarra. At 142 pounds each, we were grateful for the help. We had taken the aft stateroom bed apart so that the old Lifeline batteries could be removed and the new Toyamas installed. One of the three batteries was installed under the Nav station as well.

James has been very helpful to us. Not only has he helped with the batteries but also with getting fuel and other services. It helps having someone who is fluent in English, his native language but his command of Spanish is far superior to ours making him an invaluable resource for the cruising community here at the Micalvi. You may reach him at Facebook.

Springtime?

Puerto Williams

According to the calendar it is springtime in the Southern Hemisphere. It does not feel that way as the snow accumulates on the deck and everything else. I think we will stay inside and continue with projects.

Snow in Los Dientes

Club Naval de Micalvi, Puerto Williams.

This morning at was clear, sunny and crisp. Since we arrived on Saturday morning we have been working on Windarra, testing systems and cleaning after the six months of cold weather in the Southern Hemisphere. We are glad that there was much less mildew than we expected but still requires a wipe down with diluted bleach. Today was a bit of a setback with the heater, as it decided to stop working, but Rich persevered, got out the vacuum cleaner and cleaned the burner can - a sooty job, replaced the injector and did some other magic and we are back being toasty again. The time is perfect as the winds have piped up to the 20 knot range and there are raindrops too.

The ferry ride was comfortable as we were in Cama class, meaning the seats fully reclined to flat horizontal. The movies were the exact same as the trip we made last April but not a loud. The weather was perfect and great daylight views of the glaciers in the Beagle Channel. The ferry skipper even diverted to provide a closer view. After dropping off a few passengers, the ferry anchored in the flat, calm harbor and we enjoyed a good night of sleep. Saturday morning was busy, offloading our luggage - 4 suitcases, 2 backpacks and 4 boxes of food from Punta Arenas. Later in the morning Rich went with Francesco to pick up our 3 AGM batteries.

Still plenty to do.....

Above is a photo of Los Dientes from Windarra's bow and then looking astern at SV La Cardinale and the mountains of Tierra del Fuego in the distance.

Passing through Punta Arenas

53 10.021 S, 070 54.785 W Punta Arenas

After almost six months in the United States, it was time to return to Windarra and cruising.

Monday afternoon we left Seattle and Tuesday evening we arrived at Punta Arenas after stops in Dallas, Santiago and Puerto Montt. James of SV Anasazi Girl met us at the airport with his friend, Dan, who lives in Punta Arenas and has a truck to help us get our 4 suitcases and 2 backpacks to our hostel, Rentahome.

James and his wife, Somira plus kids Tormentina, Raivol and Pearl have been taking care of Windarra in Puerto Williams and are visiting Punta Arenas. They are a big help to us. Today James helped us coordinate having our new AGM batteries transferred to the Yaghan, the ferry we will take on Thursday to Puerto Williams.

This afternoon we went to the Hiper Lidor, one of the large supermarkets here in Punta Arenas. We stocked up on items that we can not get in Puerto Williams, like Heinz ketchup, cream of mushroom soup, peanut butter and dry salami. Now in addition to our luggage we have 4 boxes of food to take along.

Even though the calendar indicates it is spring time in the Southern Hemisphere, the air is nippy, wind and whitecaps on the straits of Magellan and snow on the mountains of Tierra deal Fuego. Tomorrow we will board the ferry for our two night journey through the canals.

Sent from SV Windarra iPad

House and pet sitting - New Friends

This summer we have been house and pet sitting in the greater Seattle area, in between trips to the East Coast, Vancouver and recently to San Francisco and Bend, Oregon. Sometimes we are sitting at homes of friends and also from contacts via a website for matching house sitters with people who need someone to take care of their house and perhaps a pet or a garden or both. It works out great for us as we not only have a place to stay but we also have a chance to experience different neighborhoods as well as getting either a dog or cat fix. We miss our cat, Katmandu, but this is a great way for us to have time with a pet even if it is temporary

Here are some of our new friends we have made this summer:

Macy from Auburn

Finnegan from Greenwood

Molly from Greenlake

Sasha from Magnolia




Artemis from West Seattle



Loki from Bothell





Southern winter

We are back in Seattle after our trip to the east coast and enjoying the northern summer as we house sit around Seattle.

Meanwhile, James and Somira of SV Anasazi Girl are taking care of Windarra. Somira took these photos of the recent snow. You can also see the ice forming in the water.

I feel a little guilty enjoying the beautiful weather in Seattle.

New earrings

Rich with his new earring in his left ear

Elaine's new earring

As part of the tradition of going around The Horn, Rich and I had our left ears pierced. Sarah took us to a piercing and tattoo parlor at Alderwood. We will wear these studs for 6 weeks, then we will be able to switch to gold hoops. Another part of the tradition includes the right to put one foot on the table. I think we will have to be judicious about exercising this right.

Besides enjoying the lovely spring weather in the Pacific northwest, we have been making the rounds of our doctors and dentists. Everything is checking out fine so far.