10 March 2006
10th March
Tomorrow, Saturday, I will be going to visit some kind friendly local people who will allow me to use their computer, and their binoculars if that seems appropriate. I can use Roz’ laptop with a free internet connection at a bar/restaurant just down the road which is very convenient, but as you may realise, there is a problem with putting a picture on the dispatch. Also I need to move out before the evening customers start arriving.
It is 6pm here now, 10pm by Greenwich Mean Time, and Roz has about 71 miles still to go. The horizon from a hill is about 40 miles out to sea as far as I can remember. Maybe I won’t need those binoculars until later in the day tomorrow.
Once again there is a slightly nail-biting situation – her present position is 16.56N, 60.42W. Some days ago Roz was too far south; then she was too far north; now she really needs to be going west, but just slightly north as well.
Realistically we think that Roz will arrive Sunday morning. If she pushes on too fast and gets here Saturday night there will be some disappointed people! The children from the Island Academy have been practising a song specially for her, with very appropriate words. They are prepared to wear their school uniforms on Sunday if necessary, to be ready to greet her. Many other people too are eagerly watching for news of her arrival.
Once again my grateful thanks for the many messages arriving conveying congratulations, hugs and kisses – for Roz, but also some kind words for me. I shall miss all of this when Roz takes over, but will really be delighted to have her back on the job. (I think that you will, too!)