To SBM Panama

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Mon 28 Jan 2013 23:57
To Shelter Bay Marina, Panama
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Final farewells splitting the Great Eight into two sets of Famous Fours, we were anchor up at ten o’clock, a quick once around the harbour to put the main up with one reef. One last look up at Split Hill, Our Lady and Morgan’s Head and off out to sea at half past.
 
 
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It was an idyllic day for sailing. Sirena of Oare (Eric and Dee) soon overtook, well she is two feet bigger with ten feet of extra mast and massive sails. No competing between the skippers then ???
 
 
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A grand day, then night settled. Trotting along happily at over five knots in good conditions and no further hassle with water in the diesel. This time the charger is playing up.........
 
 
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Day one and half way. I was just about to take a picture of the amazing blue water when a whole gang of little friends appeared. They played for ages, squeaking and clicking in delight.
 
 
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After a smashing second and last day at sea, the sky darkened with soft pastels at dusk, until the brightest full moon lit the night
 
 
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A very important change to the flag of Panama
 
 
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I am not due on duty until ten, but this morning I leapt up at nine so I didn’t miss a thing. We were Panama bound – YeeHa. We would be entering freighter traffic lanes for one of the busiest ports in the world. I stuck my head up and was not disappointed – six chums on the horizon.
 
 
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Ladies began appearing literally right left and centre
 
 
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So much so at one point I could count twenty seven within sight and the AIS looked very busy indeed
 
 
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With Beez shrieking in delight as she surfed down ten foot waves Bear radioed Cristobal Control and asked permission to enter the breakwater.
 
 
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There were girls at anchor, idling as they waited for a pilot and underway
 
 
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All too soon (for my liking) we were looking at the breakwater and passing
 
 
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There was a little boat actually fishing in the washing machine seas, just outside
 
 
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Inside the sea quieted and we watched a pilot racing to her next job
 
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This chum politely followed us in having waited for us to clear to the right.
 
 
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Inside to our left – The Flats where many girls anchor 
 
 
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Tucked over by the right wall we were in our our channel to the marina. Chums anchored out in the bay.
 
 
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A very sad looking lady laying down. The jungle and the famous canal away somewhere in the distance.
 
 
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Entering Shelter Bay Marina, Colon, Panama
 
 
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Sirena safely tucked in with Eric busy settling her, she came in an hour before us. The yachts behind us on D dock.
 
 
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Beez Neez with a happy looking skipper on E dock. Our two hundred and fifty four miles took exactly forty eight hours, so Beez averaged over five knots. Erick our Panama Transit Agent stopped by to introduce himself and asked would it be convenient for the Admeasurer to come to us in the morning. It really is happening. A few chores, a stock take, a shopping trip and maybe a visit to the Carnival before we set off on our biggest At-Venture yet.
 
 
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING