After a mad rush to get ourselves ready and out of Colombia, ( We are never ready!) we arrive back in the San Blas ( Panama ). We have been so lucky with the weather. As we didn't fancy navigating the reefs at night we had to slow

QM down for the last 2 hours. She was quite happily cruising along at 6-7 knots which would have made our arrival time 4am.

We spent a very wet day in the San Blas gettting ourselves organised for Suzy and Mikes arrival ( Sammys wee sis and brother in law).It was so wet but felt great having a fresh water bath in the dinghy after 2 days at sea.  When it rains here, it really rains and we managed to collect about 8 gallons of water!..happy days :-)

Very excited about seeing S&m. I had organised the Jungle Taxi to meet them at the airport and deliver them via 4WD and boat to QM in the San Blas. Unfortunately due to the heavy rainfall the 4WD could not use the road so the lift fell through. Not a great to start their holiday but they found a nice posh hotel in Panama city and seemed quite happy. The flight to Porvenir ( Where the boat was) was full but We luckily managed to get 2 spots on the flight into Corzon De Jesus for the following am. We were relieved but we were now 25 miles away from where they were landing which meant a very early start the next morning.

The San Blas islands were as beautiful as ever and we stopped at our favourite spots with S&M.  Mornings were spent jumping of the boat and swimming to our own private deserted island, snorkeling and generally relaxing. It was exactly what we needed after Cartagena. We discovered more fantastic snorkeling spots and spotted turtles and nurse sharks, rays and zillions of tropical fish. I am amazed everytime I snorkel there. It is really another world and feels like your own aquarium.

Having Suzy and Mike onboard was fantastic and Mike was a legend with helping us sort ourselves out, fixing things, checking the rigging and sails etc etc. We finally managed to get the spinnaker ( Big colourful sail at the front of a boat) up and had an awesome sail in 17 knots. A trip that should have taken us about 1 hr took us 20 mins!. We were flying and it was so much fun. I would love to get QM racing and see what she can really do.  Not sure Mike and I will be able to handle the spinnaker ourselves as it is one massive sail..

After our San Blas fix we headed back to Isla Linton to meet Mum and Dad. Luckily their taxi worked out and we all met at Hans place ( Bar on the water). Brilliant to see them and I had to keep pinching myself that we were all there together drinking cervaza and catching up. QM coped well having 6 of us onboard and it was great having lots of extra pairs of hands. Mike and I sat back and enjoyed everyone helming and helping out. Maybe we should get some crew for the Pacific....

We arrived back at Shelter Bay Marina to find a new dock has been put it. THe Marina is so busy with a lot of boats transiting the canal, a great vibe. Met up witH a couple of boats we were with in Cartagena. Its great to see everyone again and finally Mike and I are being sociable! Everyone is so very friendly and helpful and it will be so nice to be sailing along the same route as these guys.

The real work began on QM at SBM and  S&M's holiday came to an abrupt end and unfortunately Mum and Dads never started!  The 2 Mikes and Dad spent a day fixing the foil on the forestay which had come seperated, Wind geherator and SOLAR investigated again,AIS and SSB Arial installed, Starter motor repaired again, the rudder for the hydrovane repaired and numerous other tasks. Mum was in her element sanding and oiling tables, polishing stainless etc.

Sadly Suzy and Mike has to leave us so Mike and I took them to Panama City. We enjoyed a great night in the Old city drinking Mojitos in a Cuban Bar and eating at Las Bovedas in the old city. Very sad to see them go :-(