Christobel Panama canal entrance

Zepher
Chris & Lyn Darch
Fri 14 Mar 2008 02:24
09:20.65N
79:54.71W
 
Hi Folks in bloggers land,
 
Departed Portobello at first light , to the sound of howler monkeys doing there thing in the trees that surround the bay , along with the local chicken that didn't know when dawn occurred, he started at about Three am and was pretty inconsistent in his crowing till about six o/c when he decided to give it his best shot , that probably woke up the howlers who carried on whooping till we left the bay.
 No wind as per the forecast so we motored for the remaining fifteen miles to the port entrance of Christobel, our Automatic ship Identifier which is a trick bit of equipment that picks up merchant ships giving there position and speed was lit up like a Christmas tree we logged over forty ships waiting in the outer anchorage's to the canal entrance it looked like a D Day landing fleet , we called in to the Signal tower and had to report in at eight , two  and one miles prior to entering the harbour , it was like the flight path to Heathrow ,ship after ship entering the channel on the way up to the locks , we skirted in front of a large container ship and into the outer channel before making our way over to the small craft anchorage , once at anchor we all had to pinch ourselves , we were actual in the canal zone which marks our half way point to New Zealand.
 Once anchored we went to the yacht club , something out of Casablanca , just like "Dicks" bar its defiantly seen better days , the staff were very helpful though and Ike who arrived yesterday on Rhythm had soughed with the Mr fixit to do all the canal entrance formalities tomorrow , so that should be fun , a day at the office window and another mountain of woodpulp to climb .
 A note for Sharon Horsey , they are filming the new bond movie over at the new yacht club and yachts are being paid 100 dollars to park in front of the film set , Lyns thinking of inviting Daniel Craig over for drinks tomorrow night , and promises to take a pick of his buns for you Sharon to add to your collection !
 
The Nohs of Panama
 
The bad news is that we might have a two week wait to transit the canal !
Watch this space !!!!!!!!!