It is amazing how events fall into place. We took the decision earlier in January to delay our crossing the Panama Canal by a year, had we not done so we would have had to cancel anyway.  The first 3 months of 2009 turned out a health recuperation time.

Chris recovered fully from his hernia operation but not to be left out I developed an eyesight problem. I groped my way in dark glasses for a few weeks unable to read or write, very frustrating to say the least.... Chris broke a tooth and had a complete rebuilt by a delightful Venezuelan Dental Surgeon. Her pretty eyes made up for the 7 hours surgery it took save the crumbling mess.  We both have good reasons to feel happy with the medical services we had in Curacao.

We should have been leaving for the Turks and Caicos and Bahamas early March but we were awaiting the delivery of what we have christened;  

  ‘The marriage savers’ available from cruising solutions in USA.

Creatures from MARS?

No more shouting from one end of the boat to the other, trying to hear each other over motor and wind. All very civilized and calm.

The day before our departure Joanneke, s/y Witte Raaf, with whom we are travelling, developed a high fever which turned out to be Dengue.  She was very poorly for 3 weeks and took another week to recover.

Meanwhile we continued to enjoy our stay in Curacao. 

Each day at 7.45 am there is a radio net to share information and provide support to the cruising community.  On Mondays and Saturdays Chris took on the mantle of net controller.

Spanish Water, Curacao is a dangerous place!  The longer one stays the more difficult it is to leave.......