© 180 Degrees
Dear Friends and Supporters of 180 Degrees
After two weeks in Stanley, the Falkland Islands we are now setting off for the most challenging section of sailing we are ever likely to encounter. We have been drastically delayed these last few days by Miles who lost the use of his index finger after catching it the wind turbine! Due to this incident were hoping to make an unscheduled stop in the Falklands and then after getting his finger seen to, be on our way again 24 hours later. However with news that Miles did not only just cut his finger badly but also broke it in 2 places our only solution was to get him home to rest it and find another crew member. The search for crew finally ended only a few days ago when we managed to find Matt Watson who joined us yesterday ready for today's departure.
Stanley is a beautiful little town tucked in behind wind swept rolling hills and penguin filled white beaches. To visit Stanley, especially after a year from home, is like visiting the UK in a time warp. After James quizzed the customs lady about a string of topics he managed to get on the wrong side of her instantly by insisting there must be an ATM on this small island and that she simply must not have been able to find it yet! With red phone boxes, English pubs, Land Rovers driving on the left we soon felt at home amongst the 2,000 who live on this friendly island in the middle of the South Atlantic.
The conflict in 1982 is still a very sensitive topic in town and evidence of the war litters the streets and surrounding landscape. The military personnel at the base on Mount Pleasant, a few miles down the road, are made very welcome as the Argentine claim to sovereignty still exists 26 years on. Although it has been rather frustrating waiting here for 2 weeks it is again an amazing opportunity to visit a beautiful remote place and meet its remarkable people. We have delivered 4 presentations to the school, played a game of football with the U8's football squad, featured on Falklands radio and have also been splashed on page 3 of the penguin news!
We have exactly 4797 nautical miles to the Kergeulen Islands where the average annual wind speed is an astonishing 60mph! With this in mind I hope we can make a fast passage across to these relatively unexplored, ice capped islands before dipping right down to the coast of Antarctica to locate the South Magnetic Pole. Our arrival into Sydney should be 55 days from today but it is very difficult to forecast.
I would like to say a huge thank you to the group of extraordinarily dedicated supporters who have allowed us the opportunity to complete this expedition.
With best wishes,
Rob and James
www.180degrees.com
