Day one.

In true boat style, the instruments decided to pack in just as we were getting ready to set off. We managed to narrow it down to something blowing the sea talk fuse in the course computer so the first 6 hours of our trip were spent running around plugging and unplugging raymarine equipment.  Already worried about our batteries and the alternator it was a bit of a shaky start but by the end of the day we managed to isolate the issue and get our instruments back. During all this time we were surrounded by huge rays. They like to jump out the water , some flapping their fins, some bearing their bellies, some doing back flips. Just amazing.

After a day of rushing around we were rewarded by the most beautiful sunset and a night sailing under the stars.
We traded some chocolate for a fish off the local fisherboys enroute so I had breaded snapper for the first time. It actually wasn’t bad!

Day two.
Today we tried out the twin headsail. After 2 hours of rope setting and wrestling with the halyard to get it up, we had a great sail.  The two sails balenced each other out nicely so once we locked off the wheels little helming was needed. Almost like having the auto helm back!

We had a drive by delivery of limes and fuses off calliope and then followed them into the sunset. Tiggy treated us all to fillet steak. Life is good.

Day 3.

Back to the raymarine mystery. 3 hours later still a mystery. Tried the tuna we caught yestersay. Safe to say not a big fan but filled up on fried rice instead 🙂
We’ve now added Shanties to our little oyster flotilla. Wind is starting to die.. think it’s all motoring from now on.

Day 4.

Bacon sandwich for lunch and spaghetti bolognase for tea. Yum yum. Saw a shark and attempted to raft up to calliope for 5 o’clock cocktails .. Sadly it was a little too bouncy so we ended up having a swim instead. Followed by the most incredible sunset.  We really are so privaledged to be here. It’s just beautiful.

Day 5.

We crossed the equator aussie style with red and blue in honor of the Melbourne demons. We’re now officially south of the equator which is pretty cool.

Day 6.

Galapagos !

2 years ago I got a call. “Our crew dropped out last minute can you be in Gibraltar by tommrow? ”

24 hours later I was riding on the back of jeep to escape from the floods in the centre of Gibraltar town.

“On liberty” was my first experience of an oyster.  65 knots in the bay of cadiz with an engine leaking oil everywhere was certainly an experience! My first biscay crossing later and we waved goodbye to something I never thought I’d see again.

Now here I am back on board. New name , new rig, new engine, new owners and now new first mate!  It’s funny how life works out sometimes but boy am I glad I took that delivery. If I hadn’t I might not be leaving for the galapagos onboard “Miss tiggy” with her new lovely aussie owners. I dont beleive in fate but somehow I think this was supposed to happen. You make you’re own luck. I’m sure of that.

This journey hasn’t always been easy but the support from those around me far and near has kept me going more than they’ll ever know. It’s a fresh start now and I couldn’t be happier.

A few hours away from panama we cruised around Las perlas for a few days with some of the boats from the rally.  We pretty much had the ancourages to ourselves and a different boat hosted drinks every night. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the other boats better. Starting to feel part of the rally again!

I had my first dip in the pacific when we took our dingy up the river at the bottom of isle de Rey.  Probably should have listened to the pilot guide and left at a rising tide.  A bit of padding the boat back to deeper water only made for a mini adventure and we then let the current drift us back down the river.

Sometimes I feel really privaledged to be doing what I’m doing.  Today was one of those days. The panama canal was an experience I never thought i’d have and one I’ll never forget.

Firstly because we’re so small we had to raft up.  This was surprisingly easy and 3 boats floating along together into the locks was actually very peaceful.
Once through the locks we all moored up in gaton lake. Having neighbours was fun and drifting around on the mooring bouy under the stars was lovely.

 
On the second day the rain waited until we had chamoised and then poared down. It was almost like being back in loch Ness.  But the rain didn’t last long and as our group of 10 motored across the lake the ones behind us were beneath a huge rainbow.  Very atmospheric.

The gaton cut was particulary impressive and shortly after we rafted again for the locks down. Once out it was under the bridge of America’s and into the Pacific!