Dear Family and Friends,

 

23rd March 2015

 

We have just been bobbing along, with little wind and plenty of westerly current. Normally the sea surface is such an active sight, today it is calm with very little other than a gentle lifting and nothing to see in any direction. We are just under 150 miles from the port of Puerto Ayora and just 35 miles from the equator, at our current speed we should be crossing this around 23.00 to 24.00 today. Think I shall stay up and celebrate with Neptune!

 

Today has been a perfect day for cleaning in preparation for the inspection we will get when we arrive in port. Our recycling bins are up and running, our scuppers clean (no lurking mosquito infestations), our land shoes are scrubbed clean, we may stop for a hull inspection at 40 miles off, to ensure we are not entering National Park waters with any marine life attached. Reports reaching us suggest we could have as many 10 inspectors come aboard, for whom we should provide refreshments, (yes really). Just as well we did as we had a squid on deck and you can not import animals/fish! We are concerned because our agent has not replied to our latest emails, says he has not got our fee transferred online and we have no idea what the protocols are, so its all going swimmingly well.

 

Our friends on Sofia asked for help on our behalf regarding the engine problems on the Pacific Cruisers radio net, and the concern and offers of help from other yachtsmen going the same way or even back in Panama have been very gratifying, good to know you are not alone. The net is operated by a selection of yachtsmen and women who are in the area, when they move on the batten is handed on and it is really good to know others are not far away, have offered their help and a listening ear.

 

All our best,

 

Lynne and Alan