5454 16649 - towards the business end

I think we are about where we got to last time - I didn't log the position at the time but it was about 60 miles north of Dutch. Every mile from here, AGW, gets us closer to what Churchill called the end of the beginning. I hope that if we get to Nome in the 5 or 6 days it ought to take, we won't need to stop there for very long. Barrow is beginning to break up and we will have to go and have a look.

Everything at Barrow is off the beach for us - no jetty and we draw too much to get over the bar into the lagoon, so if we need diesel or anything else, it will be interesting. Will also depend on how much ice remains stuck to the beach - we can get Berri in to within about 50 feet of the beach...

A photo from Pascal yesterday shows Beechey Island still iced in - but signs of break up. Tuk is open and I have spoken to the RCMP there to advise them that we expect to transit through Canadian waters and will check in with them. Also to the Deputy Harbourmaster at Nome - who is also the local Reporter...

Kimbra is cooking dinner - McQ asleep - Con has occurred - still balmy calm for the Bering tho a bit lumpy by Sydney Harbour standards - 25 knots from the SE forecast in 24 hours or so. Engine - and gearbox - running all day so far. Wood is being touched...

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