Position: We are sailing West South West and have entered the Panama Basin. The body of water in the Pacific Ocean that separates Panama from the Galapagos Islands. At the moment we are on a westerly tack heading straight for the Island del Cocos. This island owned by Costa Rica is supposedly a divers paradise. N 6′ 36.23′ W 81′ 5.39′
Mileage: We are tacking back with the wind coming from the South West so difficult to calculate any daily rate right now.
Number of miles to go: 3600nm to go of approx. 3850nm (That is only if we were able to sail straight there)
Fish count: Wish and you shall receive. We got our first ever yellow finned tuna just at dusk. Another took the bright yellow squid just before dawn. But we may have to stop soon as the freezer is seriously full. The count is 3 Mahi Mahi, 2 Cero and 4 tuna. One Marlin that we were happy got away!
ONE SMALL SQUALL LAST NIGHT
The wind really picked up after dark last night. It gave us a big boost of speed. A bit of rain came throw, but we also got some big starry night skys.
LOVELY DAY TODAY
The cloudy skies finally cleared today and we had some lovely sun shine. The wind has stayed South Westerly and fresh for sailing. We slowed the boat down a bit, and took some strain off the rigging and sails, by reefing the main (making the sail a bit smaller). The boat is a bit more upright now and it is easier for me to get around. It does mean we have lost some of the speed. Everything is a compromise.
HOW ARE WE AMUSING OURSELVES?
For me, it is easy. Tug-a-war, hide and seek and fetch. Most of the time I sleep. The humans are still napping in shifts, but they seem more awake and active now. Cooking up a storm of fresh fish and chopping up all that ripening fruit. They are doing a few boat jobs too. During the day I have seen them reading books. They downloaded some new music. We are deciding what we like. I have caught them watching a tablet at night. I think they are catching up on some TV and movies when they really should be on watch. There is still a bit of shipping traffic out here.
WE ARE NOT ALONE
Boobies come flying by. They would love to land and take a break, but I consider it my doggy duty to keep them at bay. I also must bark at all pods of visiting dolphins. I am trying to scare them off, but I am starting to believe they enjoy hearing my bark, and are deliberately winding me up. We also got a visit from a pod of false killer whales today. They are small whales very similar in size and shape to the pilot whale.
Hopefully the winds keep up and change a little more favorably in our direction. And hopefully we have seen the last of Panama’s lightning storms.
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