Nearly
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Wed 20 Feb 2013 23:47
|
Our Final Blog from the
Atlantic Side of Panama
As usual the week before any big
journey or extended stay anywhere, Beez Neez looks like she is in “having a good
sort out” phase – pleasing words to describe her best efforts at looking like a tip.
At least the
sea berth is empty and that will take most of the stuff that’s out and
about. I think they were words of soothing encouragement from the
skipper. Mmmmmmmmm. I suppose the sea toilet has been
worse in other ‘sort phases’ but the kitchen needs a
little bit of a going over. The funny thing is we have had to dig out our spares
– we are set up for the two of us, meaning two of everything. We will be joined
by Rod, Sian and Steve (our trusty linehandlers) who have to be fed and bedded
down for the night. Our box of extra knives and forks would be in one of the
most inaccessible cupboards known to boat owners and our carefully stowed extra
mugs are right at the back of our medical supplies cupboard, behind the
settee.
Our final shopping day came, standing
by the free bus at ten to eight, Bear at hand for the lugging back bit. The bus
was full and low and behold we had to wait at the canal for a chum to go through. A solid hour. No worries as I have my
list clutched in hand, pencil on ear, so with military precision we will get
round with time to spare or in a taxi if we have too much to fit beneath the
seats and on our laps. The time waiting for the chum was a time of quiet
thought, this will be us in a few days time........ we pass a glance at each
other knowing we are thinking exactly the same thing. Neither of us are nervous,
just excited. I will of course be thrilled to pull out of the marina showing I
have done it once or twice before, well my new propeller is still an unknown, so
if I can get off the slip without making a muck of it – I will have got the
worst bit over.
Back to Beez we find our tyres and lines have been delivered
Transit day minus one. Sian has a bed in the office. The
sea toilet has been scrubbed to within an inch of its
life. The sea berth feels abused, but the curtain (Thank You Anne, (Freya of
Clyde) for suggesting “multitudes of sins can easily be disguised behind a
pretty curtain”).
A sigh of relief,
jobs done, lounge tidy. Hot and sweaty we have time
for a last dip and a farewell supper.
A cooling dip in
the marina pool, shower and supper with Alan
(Zebedee) – Beez Neez new friend and transit companion on the morrow and Eric
and Dee (Sirena). Our final look at D and E dock,
Beez nearly at the end on the right.
Beez Neez
with transit tyres in place
ALL IN ALL WE’RE
READY
BRING IT
ON |