August 13th Lima Day 10

Dull weather again. Immediately after breakfast (enjoying papaya at breakfast time now) I (with Uisdean) drove to the Signal office for more discussions about the programme of work. Then to the aerial photo office to collect photos ordered previously.

We had lunch at the ‘Haiti cafe’ in San Isidro (not far from the Signal office). Back at the office, the lorry for going to the airport to collect our equipment was arranged having been advised that the boxes would be available after 14:00. The other good news was that my fishing rod had turned up, and was available for collection! That improved my state of mind somewhat.

I boarded the lorry, after lunch, bound for the cargo side of the airport where I met up with Eric. As Snr Espinosa (the customs man from IPEN) hadn’t arrived (he was needed to vouch for the equipment) I headed off to the passenger side to collect my fishing rod, which I managed to do without assistance. Not long after, I got back to the cargo side Snr Espinosa turned up and pretty quickly we obtained the boxes and loaded  them onto the lorry. Eric and I accompanied the lorry to IPEN, via the Signal office, and at IPEN all the boxes were unloaded.

I had my packing list with me, so quickly identified and opened the boxes containing the vital measuring equipment. The gamma-spectrometer, radon monitor and gamma ratemeters. So I quickly checked that they were working – so far so good. Now the hard work starts for me – putting the equipment together, fitting all the electronics in one of the Land Rovers and testing it all. I’ll need the assistance of the staff at IPEN, where I’ll be working, as well.

Uisdean and I still had time to get to the camping shop, where we checked what tents and accessories they had available.

I don’t have a note of where we ate that evening, but I’m guessing at the Sheraton.

NOTE – For anyone interested here is a picture of the fishing rod and tube it was packed in, and here is the full rod – 10 foot (3m) long overall and a very expensive classic Richard Walker Carp Mk IV G (only means something to keen anglers). It proved to be very useful though, later in the work.

No photos again  (apart from fishing rod)- once more too much dashing about.

Only a few more days in Lima now, then it will get more interesting soon honest!