Panamania

Finally we are back into the land of the living! We have gone through the hellish town of Colon and the Canal and are having a few days in Panama. Thanks for putting up the web cam stuff Martin - looks cool! The lock system is amazingly fast - went up about 45 metres into Lake Gatun through 3 locks in about an hour and a half, and then down the other side into the Pacific this morning.

The process itself is reasonably simple with an advisor and line handlers to help out. On the other hand, we think that the whole of the Spanish world would collapse if there was not some sort of panic! Lots of yelling and high pace even when things are reasonably calm.

Anyway, now it is time to focus on the next leg. From Panama to the Marquises is the longest ocean passage in the world - 3800 miles. We need to make sure that both the boat and us are fit and healthy for the trip. I have slightly damaged ribs from the rough weather last week - either badly bruised or perhaps a small break, and Peter.... well he wants to marry a Spanish girl and spend the rest of his days not being able to communicate with words.... not really!

Pictures above taken off the coast of Columbia - 40 knot winds, and evidence of a fast yacht! The log records the maximum speed - don't really want to go that fast again during this trip, but would make a challenging racer! Maybe should think about Hamilton race week...

Hope everyone is well.