All's going well, we're at the garage now getting her rear door unlocked & the leaky fuel filter replaced.
EVERYONE ARRIVES
Wed. 22 Feb 2006: Slowly Bigfoot's tailights twinkled out of sight. I stood there a long time, letting my thoughts catch up with my feelings. Alone in Quellon. Tears stung, but just for a moment. Maureen, Les & Margaret, Olwyn & John would all be here tomorrow. At least I was PRETTY sure they would be... In the meantime, it's a gorgeous day, the best weather yet, and I have a town to explore! Off to the waterfront, where I watch the day's catch being brought to shore. How labour-intensive! Two fish at a time are handed over the side of the mother ship, they are stacked in a small wooden boat, and rowed to shore. They now laid tidily in their boxes, right below me. Long slim silvery fish, with angry little faces. I understood why. Gutted in their prime. Lo siento, Mr. Fish. Lo siento.
On to the narrow dock. A crab boat was tied up, with a large catch stacked in boxes, a hold nearly full, and on deck a big box full of the special boys, the massive ones you always hope you'll get on your plate when you order steamed crab in a restaurant. But four Marine Police came, boarded, and they motored off. Had he broken some fishing law? What was going to happen to that lovely catch?
It's hot now in the sun, so I go sit in the shade & watch the boatbuilders work. They're hammering down the unruly boards which are resisting the curved boat shape. It's nice in the shade, just me & the dogs & the humming activity of the port, but as the light goes dark a lot of men are drinking on the street, and it's time to retreat to my hostel. (Hostal Amanecer, 22 de Mayo, 8.000 pesos per night. Errrr.... shall we just describe it as... basic.)
Thursday 23 Feb. Another spectacular bright sunny day. I run down to the harbour, the water is like glass. Great! The group will have a good ferry crossing, and Maureen won't be seasick. In the afternoon, I go to the dock to wait, of course an hour earlier than their earliest possible arrival. I'm sure they will be here, but the back of my mind worries out various plans in case they aren't.
An idle glance sees a ferry most determinedly making for my dock. I see three white vehicles on deck. They're here!! They're early! I wave my fleece, and in return in see little arms flapping in the distance. I'm smiling so hard my cheeks hurt.
Quickly docked, Maureen, as is her wont a la´ Ulan Baator, makes traffic wait while she delivers massive hugs. I toss my bag in John's former truck, jump in after it, and we drive up overlooking the water for a proper hello-saying. Everyone looks wonderful! Olwyn especially, considering all she has been through. Fabulous, fabulous. I am so happy.
Eventually we motor up to Chonchi, park up in town, and have a celebratory dinner enhanced by Les's champagne. Thank you Les!
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