We are soon to be leaving Cartagena. We would both have liked a bit more time here; although it's been great fun, it has also felt like hard work! We've met some really nice people from Belgium, South Africa, Australia, Ireland and had some big nights! The best of which was Cafe La Habana down in the old city - lots of Colombians putting us to shame with their moves.

The old walled city is beautiful, UNESCO listed with heaps of Spanish Colonnial architecture and a really laid back vibe. There is a real mix of absolutely pristine C18th mansions with internal courtyards and pools ($5m+ USD) and some real dives too. You can walk along the city walls looking out over the Caribbean, then stop for a plate of Cervice and a beer to watch the sun set. We don't want to leave yet!

We've also got a lot done - repairs to both main sails (hopefully we'll get them back today or we'll be going nowhere), engine injector leak sorted and all tested, teak deck re-plugged and sealed where it was leaking up front, cushions repaired and some new new ones made. Unfortuantely all investigation into wind-gen and solar panels has resulted in nothing, so we are still reliant on the engine to charge the batteries. Priority #1 at our next port of call...

All of that (and I have needed to be pretty near a toilet a lot of the time ;-)) has meant we haven't been as free in the days as we'd have liked to go expore but we feel we've seen most of what we want to. We went up to Fort San Felipe which was the only reason the English didn't conquer this place from the Spanish (They conquered every other Fort in the area. It's probably a good thing or it may look like Costa del Chav now...) The fort is really impressive - Health & Safety would freak out if they could see the tunnels they let you go down! It was also interesting to go to the Naval museum and read how the enemy reported how the English and French decimated the place at different times.

Anyway enough history (must be getting old and sensible). The "marina" Club Nautico is on Manga island - which reminds me of J every time and makes me chuckle. It seems to be full of pizza joints, drug stores, ice cream parlours and hairdressers. But not one bar! The affluent part of town I suppose...

All being well we are off to the San Blas islands tomorrow to meet up with Suzy and Mike (Sammy's sis & bro in-law), then her parents - who will hopefully help us through the canal.

That's all for now folks! Off for a much needed Club Colombia!