Tintin has reached the northern end of the Panama canal.
Here we will be saying goodbye to the Atlantic , and traversing the canal south
to the Pacific ocean.
The fleet has gathered at Shelter Bay Marina, opposite the
city of Colon, to prepare.
First, each vessel has to be measured by a canal official to
see if it crosses the 50 foot threshold
(if so you need to pay another $400 to
the authorities). Tintin was measured by a very friendly man called Jose, who
wielded his tape measure with aplomb and declared us 47.5 feet. Phew. He then
stayed on board for a while chatting as all the required waiver paperwork was
completed, and showed us photos of the Pope’s recent visit to Panama City,
where he had volunteered (representing the canal). He said all of Panama was so
happy to have the Pope visit, and all problems were forgotten. Hundreds of
thousands of people gathered from all around the world for the event.
I digress. We refuelled for the first time since Las Palmas
and discovered we had only used 160 litres of diesel since leaving the
Canaries. Wind power!
Next on the to do list was to see if Tintin could be haul ed
out for a bottom scrub, Before entering the waters of the Galapagos we have to
have a hull entirely free from any flora or fauna, and Tintin has been
gradually acquiring a green beard of algae and a thriving community of
barnacles over the last few months – more in the warmer sea temperatures than we would
usually see in the cooler home waters around the UK.
After Rob had a word with Edwin at the boatyard, we were
lucky enough to be directed straight to the boatlift to be hauled out – all within
a few hours of arrival.
So now we are living on board Tintin in a garden of grass
and palm trees, climbing up a ladder at the stern to get on board. The hull has
been power washed and barnacles scraped off, and tomorrow a new coat of
antifouling will be applied.
We have been briefed about how we traverse the canal in “nests”
of 3 yachts tied up together in rafts, and we will start our journey through
the canal on Tuesday. Exciting times!