Franki’s birthday is the first thing I think about when I wake up. 29 years old – such a long time since his birth – but he has brought me such happiness in my life. I think so much about both Liv and Franki these days. When friends say their grown up children are always too busy for them – I’ve never had that feeling. Especially now, we chat about everything and nothing. And it’s wonderful to have Naomi as part of my family too.
Just enough time to fit another film in, though I don’t quite get to the end before we descend through dense fog to land in torrential rain at Montevideo. I’ll save the end of the film, “Yesterday” for the return journey. It is such a great film and very apt for the way I’m feeling these days.
Just as we land, I decide to ask the chap in the row in front whether he has anything to do with Clipper. It turns out that he is heading up the videoing of the arrival into Punte. Cliff is really friendly and offers me a lift in their minibus. There are three of them and they are anxious to get there in time for the first two boats. No need to rush as Qingdao arrives at 12.30pm and VisitSanya at 5.10pm. I get dropped off at Punte Yacht Club which is doubling as the race office. I meet a few of the other supporters – all really friendly and Ruth, the supporters liaison person. As I am able to leave my bag, I wander over to the block of flats which I presume is where the Airbnb is and am thrilled to learn I can check in straight away. So I am up in the flat by just after 11am. It’s really nice – light and airy with huge sliding doors that open up on to a balcony overlooking the marina. I couldn’t ask for anything nicer.
I see the arrival of Qingdao from the flat and wander down a while later to see them come into the pontoon. They all look pretty wrecked and a bit overwhelmed. I start to feel overwhelmed too and decide to wander off to do a bit of shopping. The banks won’t allow me to change any money as I am not a ‘client’ – lucky for me as I soon realise that everything can be paid for by card and it is 22% cheaper to boot! Weird – there’s no tax levied when using cards! I test this theory out in the evening, chatting at Moby Dicks while ordering beers, we discover that the beer is UYU237 – about £5 with tax and UYU180 without. The only snag is – which I don’t really understand is that the tax is charged and then refunded to the card later on??
Later in the day I discover the supermarket right on my doorstep – well three minutes walk away – and it’s a goodun compared with the grotty one I found earlier. I stock up on GnT and beer and a bit more fruit etc. It is Columbus Day tomorrow and I’m not sure the shops will be open on the public holiday or sundays. I can hardly welcome Tom into our ten day home without a drop of alcohol in the fridge! I take a stroll around the point and feel slightly disconcerted by the air of neglect. Maybe this is more obvious out of season, but there are many properties for sale and everywhere looks a bit sad. I’m sure it must look so different when it is warm and full of sunworshippers.
Finally I join the supporters who have gathered in the Moby Dick. After a couple of beers I am ready for bed and decline to join them for dinner. Yes I could have had something to eat but really don’t like making polite conversation and trying to eat at the same time. So back to the flat to read in bed. I don’t get much further than two pages before I give in. A very happy day – I’m so pleased to be here and content to do my own thing!
