A man; a plan; Panama

Graptolite's Sailing Log
Martyn Pickup & Heike Richter
Sun 6 Jan 2008 01:41
14:04.58N 060:56.96W

Hi All

Well it's good to be back on Grapto and I am now over my jet lag. I'll make
the most of being in control of the blog to say a big thank you to my family
and Ben and Kerry for a fab Christmas in Portugal - my only regret was that
I didn't get to see my dad - love and miss you loads dad. Thanks too to Baz,
Jenny, Rosie and Ava for a great NYE.

Skip took Tom to the airport this afternoon and the next time he will be on
the boat will be when it arrives in Cairns. He will be missed on the boat
and it was sad to see him go. I had a day going thro' the boat cleaning and
making a note of the food we have and the food we will need for the next
leg. Have the first hammock up for fruit and veg - shades of Las Palmas. I
can feel the excitement building again - that promise of the next adventure
ahead. World ARC boats are arriving and gathering on pontoon A.

I have been reading about the wildlife on the Galapagos (have you seen a
picture of the blue footed boobie? how cute is that?) and in preparation I
have started my open water PADI diving course. My first dive was off the
Pitons in a marine reserve, the second was off a coral reef between the
Pitons and Marigot Bay and I was completely knocked out by the experience!
There's so much to see down there! Seahorses, Norman's great aunt, fish of
such brilliant colours - ok, so you know but I didn't. Everyone must take up
diving immediately! Need to obtain the advanced level if I'm to see the
Hammerhead sharks off Galapagos though so I've been studying for my first
written exam in between cleaning.

The next stage starts here in St Lucia. I can't wait.

Lori

(palindrome title by the Skipper)