Some last minute shopping to be done before setting off to the South Shetland Islands. Steve has joked at how I have managed to fit everything into my bag (I am a walking outdoor shop/pharmacy etc.) but I did forget one thing – my gaitors! So I set on my mission to buy some. After a bit of searching we found La Cumbre, complete with energetic Chilean shop assistants dancing and singing at the top of their voices to the radio. They were very friendly and helpful, despite laughing at me struggling to discuss the technical details of outdoor clothing in my rusty Spanish (which they thought was funny because I sounded Spanish and not Chilean)! There was interest in where Steve and I were from, where we are going and what we are doing. And when – it seems the main point to note here is that it is very windy and the weather is not great for flying so no travel plans further south can be set in stone.

We made the customary visit to Magellan’s statue to rub and/or kiss the toe of the Patagon native. This is done to ensure that (a) you will return to Patagonia and/or (b) that you will return safely from Antarctica. I rubbed his toe the last time I was here and have returned. This time, with my trip to Antarctica imminent I made sure I gave a few pecks and a massage for good measure.