Porto Colom It was quite a relief to have moored up in Porto Colom.
It was a large natural harbour on the scale we had become use to and where the water was very flat indeed - all Cathy was concerned about was "No Rockin' 'n' Rollin' ". The water looked nice and clear, it was warm, there was a beach to hand and it was a good position to pick up our next guests, David and Marian. So, we decided to spend the weekend here.
The entrance into Porto Colom
The beach from the bow of Watermark IV - all hatches open to try and get some air through the boat. It is starting to get quite stuffy down below......
William and Charlie sat at the lifeguard tower. "No rescues please, we're eating our ice cream....."
Old Porto Colom Much of our time in Porto Colom has been spent in the water but we did take some time out to visit the older part of town. This appeared to be classic Spain where the older people sat in chairs on the streets outside the house with a small tot of alcohol and plenty to speak about. The centre of the town was the church and there happened to be a charity bazaar taking place when we arrived.
White paper bunting over the square in front of the local church. Cathy and Charlie head straight for the bargains - however, there weren't any!!!! Thankfully.....
The local day boats all lined up on the waters edge looking out over the entrance to the harbour. These boats are popular for spending time on the water.
Cathy sitting on the waters edge. "What on earth am I going to do with this hair!!!!!!" Hmmm, she looks like Sideshow Bob from the Simpsons to me....!!!!! Anyone disagree? Comments please.
The trip to the launderette As always, there are the mundane things that we need to do - yes, it was another laundry run. Classified II was still with us (or were we with them?) and so we took the tenders and Waterwinky ashore. Doug was in charge of his, co-piloted by William. We moored up against a very solid concrete pontoon but was amazed to see in slow motion, Doug with his hands on the pontoon, his feet on the tender and the gap between the two getting wider and wider..........It wasn't long before Doug was almost horizontal with a gap the length of him between the two. Well, yes, there comes a point where gravity takes over and "SPLASH", Doug hit the water. The water was actually very shallow and very clear so he put his feet down to find the bottom was a thick black sludge. The water turned an inky black, Doug was covered in muck and we all just looked at each other - very seriously. Silence fell over the group.
Doug walked to the end of the pontoon to clean up in fresh water - William, Cathy, Charlie and I fell around laughing when out of range.... Poor Doug - if only we'd had the camera ready!!!! A re-run please Doug.......
The ExtractionA couple of weeks ago I lost a filling and a piece of a tooth - a wisdom tooth no less but all seemed well. However, over the last few days those tell tell signs of pain, numbness and discomfort have been creeping in..... Cathy and Charlie told me I'd become grumpy so it was time to find a dentist. This tooth has been trouble over the last 2 years and my dentist had looked at it again just before coming away.
I found a German dentist with a very modern surgery who could see me that day over the lunchtime period. He took one look, a large x-ray and stated that it needed to come out.......Hmmmm, I had a feeling he might say that after all the trouble I'd had. So, we decided there and then that it should come out. Not the most pleasant of experiences, still a little sensitive but the best outcome for the longer term.
So - I'm now a wisdom tooth less than the start of the trip. Guess you could say, less weight and a little more speed.
David & Marian Our next guests have just arrived in David & Marian Renshaw. We plan a night here in Porto Colom and then to get off in the morning.
David & Marian Renshaw arrive on Watermark IV in Porto Colom. Yes, that is a cup of tea, but for how long?
The Sunset
Sunset over Porto Colom looking across the harbour. | 
