Thursday 25th March

We had a nice last night in Puerto Ayora with Blue Magic, Miss Tippy, Mercury Rising and Raylah. It was nothing too strenuous, just dinner and a couple of drinks in The Rock bar/restaurant where we had started off most nights to make use of the 5.30 - 7.30 happy hour. We were up bright and early to finish last minute provisioning and jobs and eventually lifted the anchor just before midday. We motored out of Puerto Ayora with Blue Magic and Miss Tippy to the sound of a few horns from the handful of boats left at anchor. There are only four boats left there now as the majority left on Tuesday and Wednesday. After a rainy morning the sun came out as we were leaving and we were soon joined by dolphins and white tipped sharks. What a lovely start to our 3,400 mile journey to the Marquesas Islands!

Natibou who had left on the Wednesday had managed to get entangled in fishing lines. Hans had no option but to get into the water to sort the problem out. It was announced on the radio that evening that whilst in the water Hans had looked up and seen a 10 metre long, 1 metre wide translucent object. No-one knows quite what it could have been but common suggestions are a jelly fish or squid. Who knows, but it is just another example of how the Galapagos Islands really are a world on there own.

We've agreed on running 3 hour watches all through the day and night so we can get a good 6 hours sleep at night in between watches. It was Amy's first night watch on her own but she didn't seem to stressed about it. The poor thing was even sea sick on her watch so she just sat feeling sorry for herself. Hopefully, she just needs to find her sea legs again!