Day Five Hundred Sixty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas broke into the ward room mid-breakfast to alert the Captain to the presence of a lone ship on the horizon. At once the Captain left for the bridge. Elijah and I followed behind.

The speck was a ship, but whether merchant or a tanker it was impossible to make out for certain, even with binoculars. But by all appearances it was blocking the channel to our next port.

Pirates are not unheard of in this region, so the Captain made a snap decision to change course and make for a port on the opposite side of the island we had been heading for.

Much to everyone’s relief, the speck did not pursue us. It remained steadfast on station.

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Day Four Hundred Seventy Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain called me to the bridge in the forenoon. I’d been busy crunching numbers so I welcomed the interruption to get away from my desk and office.

I was surprised however to learn the reason for my summons. The Captain handed me his binoculars and pointed to the shore. He said our next port used to be there.

I looked, but beyond a screen of naval ships it was hard to make out what I was seeing.

It helped when he added that skyscrapers used to stand where an inlet of water lay.

I wondered out loud why the Commodore had not forewarned us.

The Captain shrugged and asked  me to prepare things for the port next in line.

Day Ninety Three #DairyoftheEndoftheWorld

We got an early start this morning at Lyle’s insistence. Trouble is, there are a few more things missing than we realized yesterday.

For one, the binoculars are gone. We assume that Stan never returned them when last he had them. Lyle says it’s okay and that we’ll just have to rely more on my excellent vision and what he calls my foresight. I’m flattered but think he is actually counting on our drones to fill that need.

About midday the first village this side of the mountain came into our view. Many more lay beyond, with the city on the plain farther still, beckoning before the desert.

We should be standing near its humble buildings this same time tomorrow.

Day Ninety #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

This time around Lyle caught a number of fish before turning in last night. He added them to our larder, increasing the weight we are packing. But gladly, with the knowledge that it will get lighter.

Stan borrowed the binoculars to check out the trail on the other side of the lake. He gave a good report. The way is clear though he added that it will take longer.

Soon all was prepared and we set out.

This way has a lot of ups and downs quite different in that respect to the one we came in on. At whatever level we were always in sight of the water.

Come night, Stan settled us in a cave near a rise.

Day Fifty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Very blustery around here this morning. So, how gratifying to know that we were extra careful securing the tents yesterday.

We’d like to put up a drone, but neither of us feel that it would be safe in the wind. Lyle brought out a pair of binoculars that he found on his sojourn a few days ago. With them he took in the view from our ridge of the valley below. Despite all he was able to see, there is still too much we feel is unknown and perhaps dangerous to head down there willy nilly.

We’ll wait on the wind to die down, and definitely launch at least one, if not both drones to get a better, clearer view.