Almost back to civilisation

We are still alive!

The San Blas islands were beautiful, and I will do a proper blog with photos when we can.

Being in a group of deserted islands has its perks, but internet is not one of them.  Our computer also died (not an Apple problem, you apple haters!)  and we are  hoping to take it to the doctor when we reach Colon in a week.

We are currently in the town of Portobello, and for the first time on a continent and not an island.  We are enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of Central America, but again I will give you a proper blog on that when we are back up and running again.

But for the moment I will leave you with the view from the bar we are currently sitting in.

Satphone report Wednesday 16/1/13

1500 hrs
ARRIVED Hollandaise Keys, San Blas Islands, Panama!
Toodles is anchored in perfect calm water just off an idyllic island covered in palm trees,  Katie and Gary are jubilant,  weary, hungry windblown and in need of a good wash and change of clothes!
Another rough night last night, then the wind eased this morning and motor sailed the last bit.  Only saw land an hour or two out - low lying land and misty cloud.  Toodles was great on the trip, best daily run well over 200 miles (217?), took rough seas in her stride.  Total trip time for 1000 miles 5 days 9 hours - a really fast trip.   The freezer stopped working on the first day, so Katies carefully prepared frozen meals were wasted,  but Gary can get onto fixing that tomorrow.  Meanwhile they are both looking forward to a swim, a shower, and a rum!
Well done!

Posted by Andrew.

Satphone report Tuesday 15/1/13 1400hrs

Position: 11*42.1'N
                76*15.6'W
Course 238* at 9 knots
Wind NE 21
Sea moderating

Last night was very rough as they turned the corner of Columbia - wind 30 knots, steep confused 4M seas from two directions converging, but a fast night and a good daily run (over 200 miles?).   Katie and Gary are in high spirits, both looking forward to last night at sea tonight and hopefully arrival tomorrow before dark - they will reschedule the satphone report on arrival about 11am NZ time, so blog will be updated later than usual.
Forecast is for 20 knots through tonight, wind easing to 15 and then to 10 as they approach the coast.

Posted by Andrew.

Daily Satphone report - Monday 14/1/13   1400 hrs

Position  13*24.6'N
                72*58.6'W
Course 247 at 9.5 knots
Wind 23 knots E
Boisterous steep short seas

Katie reports great sailing, they have touched 15.3 knots down a wave earlier today, Toodles is feeling more comfortable to be aboard sailing steady and fast with more wind despite increasing seas.  Last night Gary reefed the main in the night when the wind came up, tonight they plan to reef before nightfall, though this may depend on progress - looks like they might make the earliest of the san Blas islands before sunset day after tomorrow if they keep up a good speed - 415 miles to go to that point.
Half way point was reached in the early hours of this morning and katie celebrated with a good sleep - she was sick again in the night, but feels great today.
Forecast is for 20 knots, increasing to 25 early tomorrow morning.  Gary is considering a gybe to clear further off the columbian coast (the wind is greater and the seas steeper near the coast, and they have come closer to that coast than intended), but he will see how it looks later in the day.

Posted by Andrew.

daily satphone report sunday 13/1/13 1400 hrs
Position - 14*50.8'N
                 70*.07'W
Course 240 degrees True at 7 knots
Wind E 19
A cheerful Katie reports wind has picked up to 19 knots, the wind has gone more Easterly so the gib is no longer goosewinged on the opposite side to the mainsail, they have taken down the jib pole and are sailing on port gybe a little faster.  She is feeling tired but not seasick anymore, Gary is sounding very cheerful and confident, they are seeing dolphins every day, and saw baby dolphins today.  3 container ships sighted today, and they can see a yacht ahead (slowly getting bigger as they overtake her).
Looking forward to reaching half way point tomorrow morning sometime - in the family tradition Gary must organise a captains party to celebrate; Katie hopes she'll be invited!
Forecast for steady 20 knot easterlies.

Daily Satphone report Saturday 12/1/13 1400 hrs

Position : 15* 59' N; 67*34.2'W

Course 240*
Speed 6.6 knots
Wind 15 knots ENE
Moderate swell

A reasonably cheerful Katie reports the wind is a bit light and so Toodles is rolling along in the swell.  With the wind almost behind the sails don't hold her steady and there is not enough wind to really get going.  She was seasick last night but recovering today.  Everything going well on board.  Katie is off watch and heading back below for some sleep.
Forecast is for the same conditions through tonight and tomorrow, then hopefully the wind will pick up to around 20 knots.
Posted by Andrew.

Friday 11/1/13 Daily satphone report 1400 hrs:

Position 17*48.35' N; 65*11.0' W
Course 225* true
Speed 6.5 Knots
Wind ENE 12 -14 Knots
Sea - slight, moderate swell.
A very cheerful Katie reports great weather, wishes she had more wind, St Croix disappearing behind, Puerto Rico just visible to starboard (the last sight of land for the next 6 days or so);  got off to a great start at 6am sailing at 8 knots in 20 knot winds and flat water between the virgin islands, but has slowed down since with lighter winds and more swell.  Forecast is for the wind to increase back up to 20 knots.
Have seen two ships pass close by and spoke on the radio to them, a third ship passed close and kept altering course but did not respond to the radio - passed close enough to wave to the helmsman in the wheelhouse.
Very comfortable sailing - no problem going below and cooking.
Really great sailing - fingers crossed it stays good for the next 6 days or so!


(posted by Andrew Eaglen, Kate's Dad)

Almost on Our Way Home

We have been a bit delayed in our passage to Panama, waiting on our insurance company to renew our policy to cover ocean passages, as well as one thing and another.  The weather has also been rather unsettled lately with 30, gusting 40knot winds at times.

We are now all prepared to leave Friday morning our time (Saturday night NZ time).  The trip should take about 7 days.  Here is a wee chart of where we are and where we are heading.

The weather is looking good for heading off Friday morning, a steady 20 knots and more consistent.

We will endeavor to get a position update on the blog each day, but if you don't get it, don't be alarmed.  We will probably be a bit busy throwing up over the side, clinging on for dear life, or whoohooing from the helm.

Our starting position is:  18*25.43North - 64*37.06West (*=degrees)

Wish us luck!

Jaunt to Jost Van Dyke

With only days left in the BVI before our trip down to Panama, we decided to head to Jost Van Dyke, the only island in the BVI we had yet to visit.  

We are really enjoying the BVI, that has to be one of the best (if not the best) cruising grounds in the world.  The islands are perfectly placed, with only an hour or so voyage between the closest and 3 hours between the furthest.  This means that it is easy to make day trips to here and there and back again.  Every island is as picturesque as the last, and there is a bar in every bay...perfect!

We make good time from Norman Island to Jost Van Dyke in 25kts of breeze with full sail, practicing for our Caribbean Sea crossing.  

Of course the first thing we do upon arriving is to head ashore to the bar.  We wander the main street/beach and decide to stop at Foxy's, which is a bit of an institution here.  Foxy's is decorated in memorabilia left from past party goers from T-shirts to flags and business cards.    We order some mango smoothies, kick back and enjoy the view.

Cooper Island Beach Resort

Happy New Year!

We had a fairly uneventful one, going out to dinner at Norman Island Pirates Bight, then heading back to the boat for the final yahoo.  

We had a wonderful lunch out today at Cooper Island Beach Resort, and I just wanted to share some pictures of the recent redesign with you.

Snorkeling at the Caves on Norman Island

A bit of underwater photography care of Gary and his extraordinarily long flippers.