Well, what a great day! Doug Saunders, Willard Craig, & Rick from E. Grubens, in TUK, really surpassed hospitality and goodwill.

Moored in Tuktoyaktuk, Beaufort Sea

Well, what a great day.

Firstly, it was blowing 35 knots and we were snug as a bug on a pontoon. Halyards snapping on the mast and lovely to hear from a warm sleeping bag

A great night after showers. To see the slick running down the plug hole was very satisfying,

Then a huge work day. We all had our job lists, ice lights, bilge pumps, laundry, shopping but the man who gets the Vodka Salute is unquestionably Steve.

I dropped him off wth Willard. Two peas in a pod. They made a broken Pilot Spigot. That sounds quite easy but it took the whole day in a machine shop in a container, working to fine tolerances, and many modifications. Fitting it in the bowels of the Lazzerette in cold weather and driving rain. It worked first time. Brilliant effort.

TUK, what can I say. Famous from the Ice Truckers series . Next year you will be able to drive from Near Cape Horn, in the Southern Ocean to TUK, on the Arctic Ocean. Look up ‘Pingoes’ on the internet.

This Adventure has brought out some of the best human traits in generosity around the Arctic, from Norway, Russia, States and Canada.

However, Doug Saunders, Willard Craig, and Rick from E. Grubens, in TUK, really surpassed hospitality and goodwill. They will be first on my Christmas card list. On a holiday weekend, they gave up their hunting to help us, in the machine shop and in any way possible, nothing was too much trouble even though we are some little yacht that passed through their waters.

Sirs. THANK YOU.

So, fed and watered, in the morning we will be on our way.

Our Vodka Salute was to firstly Steve, second clear Waters, and thirdly, loved ones.