Our
transit of the Panama
Canal
began on the evening of Thursday 27 January.
The 15 yachts of the 2nd World ARC transit group assembled at the Flats
anchorage and at 1730 we were joined by the 'Advisor' - like a Pilot but more
junior. Under his direction and fendered with wrapped motor tyres, we headed for
the Gatun Locks. We had also padded all
windows with cushions and removed a solar panel and our bimini to protect
against damage from the 'monkey's fist' throwing lines which form the leader for
the 120 foot warps needed for the locks.
There
we formed a nest with 'Tucanon' and 'Bristol Rose' and over a period of 90
minutes, we passed through the 3 lock chambers, rising 26 metres to Gatun Lake
where we spent the night tied to a buoy after being invited for 'Mariscos' on
Portuguese yacht 'Thor VI'.
The
next morning we were joined by a new Advisor and transited Pedro Miguel and
Miraflores locks to the Pacific.
We
are spending 3 nights at Flamenco Marina, more geared to sports fishing boats than
yachts.
We
have decided to miss the leg to Ecuador and
spend some time at the Las Perlas Islands before heading direct to the
Galapagos, expecting to arrive there about
20 February. We hope to be in company with
the Budd family on 'Bristol Rose' and possibly Roger & Janice Dance who
will transit in 'Beaujolais'
on 12 February. We will then rejoin the WARC fleet to explore the Galapagos and
sail the 3000+ miles to the Marquesas.
Where did you get that hat??
Panama City
