“We’ve just missed being hit by a huge container ship. We’re all so tired and we didn’t see it coming. We’ve been at sea for several days and without our satellite navigation system it’s hard to know which way we’re going. Passepartout needs medical help – and we have to get more food supplies. We must find land soon.”

All

Wooah! Watch out!

Phil

That was close.

Phil

Day 35 – we’ve just missed being hit by a huge container ship. We’re all so tired and we didn’t see it coming. We’ve been at sea for several days and without our satellite navigation system it’s hard to know which way we’re going. Passepartout needs medical help and we have to get more food supplies. We must find land soon…

Sophia

Land ahoy!

Phil

Land? Really? At last! Come on. Let’s head for the harbour and find a hospital quickly.

Passepartout

Oh, my head.

Phil

We’re on dry land. It’s such a great feeling after just looking at endless water day after day. But where are we? People are speaking French and there’s a wonderful smell of fresh coffee in the air. Anyway, we mustn’t waste any more time. Sophia is taking Passepartout to a hospital to see a doctor about the cut on his head. I have to get our satnav fixed and purchase some more supplies for the next leg of our journey. And I must take some photographs too to put on my travel blog. But wait a minute, I don’t know where I am! Time for a walk I think…

Phil

Excuse me young man – that coffee smells wonderful.

Man

Oh this is Bourbon Pointu coffee. It’s the best in the world and you can only get it here.

Phil

And where is here?

Man

Reunion Island.

Phil

Reunion Island! So that’s where we are. Goodness, we really have gone off course!

Man

Where are you heading?

Phil

We’re supposed to be sailing around the world – but we got lost when our satnav broke.

Man

Oh you don’t have to worry about that, my brother fixes gadgets. I’m sure he can help. Let me take it for you and if you come back at 4 o’clock it will be ready. Hopefully!

Phil

Brilliant. And while I’m here can I buy some of those beans?

Man

Sure. Here, take some coffee beans as a present from me to you – and remember your visit to Reunion.

Phil

I had to bring home some unique and special coffee beans as part of the challenge, so this is gift is perfect. But we have a long way to go; we mustn’t waste any more time. Imust get on with the shopping, wait for our satnav to be fixed and hope that Passepartout will be ok.

Sophia

Phil, Phil… we’re back. Passepartout has got some stitches in his head. But I think he’ll be fine…

Passepartout

Oh will I? You’re the expert now? Maybe if you leave me to sail our yacht we won’t have any more little accidents?

Phil

Come on Passepartout, let’s all try to get on shall we? I know how useful you are – but Sophia got us safely through to Reunion. Come along – let’s all be friends. OK?

Passepartout

OK then. How’s the satnav?

Phil

It’s fixed and it didn’t cost much. Look, if I switch it on… I can tell you exactly where we are: 21 degrees south, 55 degrees east.

Sophia

Impressive!

Phil

Yes, and look, I’ve got some special coffee to take home. Bourbon Pointu.

Sophia

Another one of your ‘souvenirs’!  Come on, we must get going – the weather forecast says there’s a big storm coming and we have to avoid it.

Phil

Yes, good idea. We can’t waste any more time. Let’s get back to the harbour. Passepartout, could you carry these bags of food please… they’re… quite heavy.

Sophia

Isn’t this where we left the yacht – between these two other boats?

Passepartout

Are you sure Sophia? We did arrive in a rush.

Phil

No, it was definitely here. In fact – look – these are our ropes. They’ve been cut. I don’t believe it but I think our yacht has been stolen.

Phil

Stolen! It couldn’t get any worse. We’re stuck halfway around the world with no yacht. There is no way we can get round the world in 80 days now. We’ve got to find our yacht – but where is it?

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Vocabulary

supplies – (here) food and other things you must have for daily living

purchase – buy something

complimentary – given for free

supplies – (here) food and other things you must have for daily living

purchase – buy something

complimentary – given for free

souvenirs – things you buy on a trip or holiday to help you remember your visit

cost an arm and a leg – was very expensive