Well, we are now 24 hours out from Grand Cayman, heading for a new continent. We had expected fairly constant winds from the east to give us a reasonable passage of about 3 Â days to the San Blas Islands.  What we hadnât really expected from the forecast was light winds on the nose, necessitating motoring through the night.  We have also been surprised at the strength of the NW setting current against us â which has meant that we have had 1 to 2 knots against us â which is always a bit demoralizing!  This trip will probably be a day longer now.  At least when we get to the Pacific we should have a current with us nearly all the timeâ

The main chart also showed very deep water along the route â but on detailed examination of small scale charts, there are also a number of shoals and reefs along this route â all littered with wrecks!  This is a route that few yachtsmen take. We are proceeding with great attention to the navigation!  Some areas are more than 5500 metres deep (higher than the Alps) and  it can go from depths of 1000 meters to a reef in less than half a mile. (imagine the height of mount Snowden to nothing in that distance).

When Janet and Graham crossed the Pacific, they had pre-recorded a large number of BBC radio plays to while away the solitary night watches. On our visit to Cayman, Janet kindly loaned us her old i-pod with some of these on, and we have already found it a great way to pass some time. Thank you Janet.

For those waiting for more reports on Cuba, another, with photos, will follow in a few days when we have access to broadband. Bye for nowâ