Preparations complete. We set sail for the Cape in a couple of hours. All being well I'll be back on dry land in 2-3 weeks.~514389,723000

Big blow to Cape Horn dream - bad weather + boat problems force us back to PN with tails between legs. Really disappointed.~514389,723000

Very windy today - picked up me and the bike + flipped us over like a playing card. I later saw a Chevy pickup get the same treatment.

Rolled into Punta Arenas today, my last stop on continental South America. I'll continue my journey south on Tierra del Fuego.~530980,705505

Aaargh! 5 days of waiting around in Punta Arenas, and still no decision from the Chilean Navy. The suspense is killing me!~530980,705505

I can't quite believe this, but I think I might have just negotiated a lift to Cape Horn with the Chilean Navy!~530980,705505

Long but successful stopover in Punta Arenas. I'll cross the Magellan Straits to Tierra del Fuego tomorrow. New diary now up.~530980,705505

After 11 months almost to the day, I'm back on the Atlantic coast. Camping at Estancia Sara in an employee's front garden.~532614,681086

Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand. Rio Grande, Arg, is bleak, cold and wet. But the song is cheering me up at least.~534738,674160

Staying at the famous Panaderia La Union, in Tolhuin. A casa de ciclistas right where you want one. And it's a bakery!~543058,671189

Bumped into my old mate Ale, the Italian chef, en route to Ushuaia. Looks like we'll cross the finish line together tomorrow!~544397,675401

We've reached Ushuaia! Tomorrow we'll cycle the last few kms to Lapataia Bay, the true end of the road. And then, celebrate!~544796,681825

Well, that's the easy bit done. Now just got to get to Cape Horn. All hopes now rest with the Chilean Navy. Fingers crossed.~544796,681825

Stage 1 complete: arrived safely in Puerto Williams together with bike + puncture this pm. What happens now is anybody's guess~545607,673600

Puerto Williams is a beautiful, but VERY sleepy, little place. It's going to be a pretty quiet couple of weeks methinks.~545607,673600

Just finished cooking up for my hosts a good ol' English feast, which killed a few hours. Only another week to go...~545607,673600

Puerto Williams is officially the quietest place in the world. My new daily challenge is passing the time between mealtimes!~545607,673600

Just asked when the last recorded crime was in Puerto Williams. The answer I got was: When the English kicked out the Indians.~545607,673600

Finally on board the PSG "Sibbald", + guess where they've put me. The sick bay! Probably wise, save 'em the trouble later on.~545595,673651

Job done.~555792,671352